$10,000 down sees boat diverted

Taio Shipping’s vessel MV Te Kou Maru is to be diverted to Aitutaki after visiting Atiu, Mitiaro and Mauke, to deliver much needed items for Aitutaki.
The vessel departs Rarotonga Wednesday afternoon.
The diversion was arranged on Tuesday by Aitutaki MP Teina Bishop who dipped into his own pocket and put $10,000 upfront. The Herald understands the diversion has angered Pukapuka MP Vae Peua who has been trying to get goods to Pukapuka for some time. Aitutaki’s problems began when the container ship was unable to offload much needed timber, fuel, gas and food because of rough seas. The Container vessel has returned to Auckland with those items still aboard. According to Bishop 100 bottles of cooking gas is aboard that ship.
According to Bishop his fuel outlet on Aitutaki is the only one that has fuel but this is expected to run out any day. Bishop had supplied some fuel to other outlets, reducing his own supply. Bishop who supplies cooking gas, advises Aitutaki has also run out of cooking gas.
Food is also in short supply and Bishop dispatched 74 kg of fish by Air Rarotonga on Monday and a further 1 tonne of fish will be aboard the Taio Shipping vessel. Bishop also has a supply of fuel to be shipped and 90 large bottles of cooking gas. Bishop said he is looking for bunches of bananas to ship to Aitutaki.
While rough seas has hampered delivery of much needed building items, Bishop is unimpressed with the delays which are occurring. Many people are still in tents and assessments of buildings is still taking place. Tents supplied by the NZ Defence force are to be strengthened after some collapsed under the recent heavy rains.