Looking back on the Year that was 2009

The Cook Islands is often referred to as Paradise or as Heaven on Earth (in the ads) and for the most part, we are a friendly and hospitable people who enjoy a laidback and relaxed lifestyle. However, not everything is so rosy with undercurrents of tensions which occasionally boil over. Here is a tiny sampling of the events of 2009.
January 2009
Government holds discussion on Te Kaveinga Nui (the National Sustainable Development Plan) Issues raised included calls to downsize the Public Service staff, use of government vehicles and number of MPs to trim costs. Land tenure issues and the lack of care for those in need (disabled, aged and infirm and children) were also rasied.
The six Ariki of Rarotonga and the Aronga Mana revisit Hono Ki Rarotonga in Tokomaru Bay to celebrate 75th Anniversary of the original visit by their predecessors led by Makea Nui Tinirau Ariki in 1934.
Government’s proposal to purchase TOA Petroleum first brought to public attention
Official Information Act 2009 to be administered by the Ombudsman is launched by the DPM.
February 2009
Cook Islands Research Association holds their own Economic Forum 2009 attended a great turnout including Ministers, top public servants, business people and bankers and economists and critics.
PERC convenes public meetings where Financial Secretary, Sholan Ivaiti fronts up to the public over the fuel farm proposal. During question time, the Finsec says the agreement with TOA is not binding (famous last words).
Rotary celebrates 40th anniversary in Cook Islands.
DPM announces $3million assistance package to small businesses administered by BTIB and BCI. Conspiracy trial of Norman George, Chris Vaile and Charles Koronui begins.
Former QR, Sir Apenera Short celebrates his 93rd birthday.
March 2009
Digicel shows interest in purchasing Telecom Cook Islands. Negotiations are held between Digicel and Telecom NZ at an asking price of $32 million but after ‘due diligence’ the buyer is only prepared to offer $23 million citing the poor condition of the telecommunication infrastructure. Government also appoints a negotiating team of Minister Wilke Rasmussen, Trevor Clarke, Solicitor General, Financial Secretary, OPM Chief of Staff, and the Head of Policy to ensure the interests of the Cook Islands are protected.
Controversial Te Puna lands case reopens decades of disputes involving Ngati Karika and Ngati Raina and various other related Titikaveka families.
Stimulus package dropped after inaction by BCI and BTIB and stiff opposition by the big banks to the concept.
NZ Cabinet Minister, Murray McCully visits Cook Islandis and is hosted to a reception at Ngatipa by NZ High Commissioner, Tia Barrett and his wife, Theresa.
April 2009
DPM, Sir Terepai Maoate personally delivers the Cook Islands bid to extend our continental shelf by a massive 400,000 square kilometres to the United Nations.
MMR carry out survey of marine resources in Muri lagoon for controversial proposal for removal of coral heads in order to make the Vaka racing easier during the Pacific Mini Games. (The scheme is roundly rejected a later community meeting.)
World Health Organisation warn of new and dangerous strain of influenza called swine flu (HINI). Public Health set up special clinic in Blackrock to deal with any suspected cases.
Former PM, Sir Pupuke Robati passed away and a state funeral is held in his honour.
May 2009
Makea Kariki Ariki of Te Au o Tonga celebrates 60 years as Ariki Vaine on 13 May 2009 and reputedly became the longest serving Ariki of all time.
Gender balance enters our vocabulary after the National Workshop on TSMand having a Woman in the House becomes the topic of the moment with the National Workshop on Temporary Special Measures (TSM) held at the Rarotongan Beach Resort and Spa advocated by UNIFEM, Pacific Forum Secretariat and IDLO (International development law organization.
Former QR Sir Tangaroa Tangaroa passes away on the 23rd of May. A State Funeral was held for him at the National Auditorium.
June 2009
Takitumu Lagoon Day to highlight environment issues becomes a two day event with promotional events held on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 June at Nukupure Park on Muri beach. The day was to highlight what had been learned over the three year period of monitoring and testing water quality and possible causes of pollution leaching into the lagoon by the participants, MMR, NES, Agriculture, Public Health and the Takitumu Group led by former Vaka Mayor, Teariki Matenga.
Ui Ariki issue their Proclamation at the palace in Taputaputatea and Government goes into a spin.
Prof Ron Crocombe passes away and his family, friends and legion of admirers here and around the world go into mourning. A state funeral is held in his memory.
Eruera Nia is invested with the title of Rio Rangatira on Taputapuatea.
July 2009
NZ PM John Key visits Rarotonga: NZ PM brings 70 delegates on Pacific Mission including: Dr Pita Sharples (Maori Affairs) and Mrs Georgina Teheuheu (Pacific Islands Affairs), Mrs Winnie (Labour MP) and Todd McClay (National MP), sports stars, Vainga Tyuigamala and Michael Jones and a hip-hop group. The visit provokes a media frenzy with TVNZ, Maori Television, and various New Zealand newspapers and magazines all vying for the definitive report on Key’s first ever visit to the Cook Islands.
Koutu Nui hold their AGM in Atiu. It also marks the first of their Community Visioning project funded by UNESCO aimed at adding the voice of the outer islands to the Kaveinga Nui
August 2009
Cook Islands Government invites Maori King Arikinui Tueheitia and his entourage as special guests during our 44th Constitution celebrations. The King and party are feted throughout their visit including visiting the departure point of the Seven Canoes in Avana. They are invited to visit Avananui harbour from which the Seven Canoes to Aotearoa were launched centuries ago by Pa ma Kainuku and the Puara of Takitumu. Many feasts later, they are also hosted by the House of Ariki and Koutu Nui in the grounds of Parliament.
Graduation ceremony for USP students held at the National Auditorium including the MBA class of 2007-2008.
September 2009
The major highlights are the World Youth Netball Championships and Pacific Mini Games 2009 which attracted participants from all over the Pacific. Cook Islands do very well in both comps and cap it off by winning 15 gold medals in the PMG.
October 2009
The grand reopening of the CICC Mission House at Takamoa Theological College on Gospel Day, 26 October 2009 was a wonderful occasion for all concerned.
Forum Economic Ministers meet to debate how to survive the global recession for Pacific nations.
Political reform becomes the new catchphrase especially after Teina MacKenzie spearheads new push to reduce MPs and introduce concept of Electorate MPs and List MPs (similar to NZ). However, there is some resistance to the complexity of extra reforms eg a national poll for choosing the PM; having Outer Islands MPs wear two hats and double as Mayors and combining 3 separate islands into one electorate. The Opposition dubs political reform a ‘distraction’.
November 2009
Vaka Eiva Festival attracts a huge turnout for the comp as well as in terms of spectators and well wishers and everyone promises to do it all again next year.
Sadly, his Excellency, Tia Barrett, the NZ Representative to Cook Islands passes away and many close friends from Rarotonga attend the funeral including QR, Sir Frederick Goodwin to represent the country.
PM announces intention to deregulate telecommunications industry including selling off Telecom Cook Islands. PPAPD hold their conference in Cook Islands.
December 2009
FAO workshop held to encourage young agriculture entrepreneurs from outer islands held by Ministry of Agriculture. House of Ariki re-elect Tou Travel Ariki as president, with Kainuku Ariki as vice president.
A confidential out of court settlement is later made public where TOA Petroleum is to receive $1.75 million payout. This revelation causes huge public uproar and the fiasco is renamed Toagate with claims of hidden costs (for payment of QCs and other legal fees) being anywhere between $2million and $3million.
Disappointment at the Copenhagen Climate Change meeting with mixed reactions from the world leaders who are reluctant to commit to action for fears of the economic and political fallout in their own countries.
PM demotes former DPM, Sir Terepai Maoate causing such a fallout that 3 other Cabinet Ministers resign in protest. Demo Party ousts PM from the party but the PM trumps them by swearing in a new line up of Cabinet Ministers: Hon Robert Wigmore (now DPM), Hon Smiley Heather, Hon Wilke Rasmussen and Hon Apii Rua on the morning of 24 December just before the country enters into Christmas festivities.

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