Browne not a candidate for CIP in Tupapa

Speaking to the Herald on Wednesday, Janette Browne said she was concerned at statements made on her behalf in the CI News on Tuesday relating to her being a possible candidate for the Cook Islands Party for the village of Tupapa Maraerenga.
Browne said she was never given an opportunity to voice her position but more importantly her photograph was placed alongside that of George Maggie and Mereana Poaru which basically cemented her position as a running candidate, which Browne said was further from the truth.
For the Record said Browne,in 2008, she was asked by a couple of former and current Members of Parliament and Committee members of Tupapa Maraerenga if she would consider standing politically. She declined. At the beginning of 2009 she was asked again and declined. Earlier on this year the same, and she gave it some thought. She touted the feedback of experienced politicians, Community Elders in and out of the village and even had a meeting with the current Chairman of the Tupapa CIP Electorate. All were supportive. However, while the opportunity looked appealing, and after much soul searching, she decided that 2 very important factors hindered her ability to properly represent the Village and which enabled her to finally decline any thought of standing politically. Firstly, said Browne, she was a single Mother of 2 growing teenagers (18 & 16yrs old) and the legal guardian of my aging 79yr old Mother. They would be my first priority, said Browne,secondly, I am not currently living in the Village and while it would be easy to relocate as my Family home is in Kiikii, personal ability is not sufficient to warrant representation.
Browne said candidates for any political party should be chosen on merit (among other things) and be well grounded in most aspects. Politics is a life of service to the people and one has to make huge sacrifices in order to achieve this. Quite frankly I’m not in a sound position to do this right now said Browne.
Politics has always been a part of Browne’s life. Her Father (the late William Estall Snr) was a former Politician and so too was her late Husband, Lionel Browne. Browne has extended family members who are current MP’s and who have served and are serving the Cook Islands Party. She also currently has 5 family members in the Democratic Party namely Sir Terepai Maoate, Hon.Cassey Eggelton, Hon Jnr Maoate, Hon Mapu Taia and Hon Kete Ioane. Browne said she believes the same can be said for most (if not all) Cook Islanders, that there will always be an element of Politics in each of us. “And why not?” Said Browne, “This is our Island Nation and we should all show an interest as to how our Country should be politically shaped.”
“I have not ruled out any future political aspirations,” said Browne, “and 4 yrs is not along time to wait. I wish the final Candidates standing for Tupapa Maraerenga all the best for 07 April when the final selection is made. The Tupapa Maraerenga Electorate is a huge one and deserves to be well represented.”

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