News Briefs

Complaints lodged following Angene selection
Two written complaints have been lodged following the selection of George (Maggie) Angene last week as the Cook Islands Party (CIP) candidate for Tupapa in the next election.
CIP Vice President Mark Brown confirmed on Wednesday morning that two complaints had been received (when) by the executive and were discussed on Tuesday.
Brown said the complaints refer to issues surrounding eligibility, validity and voting procedure. The executive will check if the complaints can be substantiated under the Constitution and if warranting further investigation the matters will be followed up. The executive will consult the interested parties including the Tupapa Committee before issuing a statement on its findings. He confirmed Angene had not been notified of the complaints.
Brown said the executive will be in a position to issue a statement by Friday.

Swimmer stung by jellyfish at Avatiu
Marine Biologist Teina Rongo went for an early morning run on Wednesday then to cool off, he leapt off Avatiu wharf and straight into a school of jellyfish. He suffered a sting on the right side of his neck and was treated at hospital with an injection to counter the allergic reaction.
He told CITV News he did not see the jellyfish. Jellyfish are common throughout the tropics and can be carried close to shore by currents. Swimmers should be aware and seek hospital treatment if stung.

Team Cook Islands to 2010 World Expo
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conducted a short training programme for the team going to the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. The programme included presentations and discussions on the China relationship, foreign and trade policies.
The training was conducted by Sandra Tisam and Mona Mato. “The Expo provides a useful opportunity to showcase our tourism, culture and exports. The Ministry welcomes this collaborative opportunity to help equip the Team with information to deliver a high level of ambassadorial services during the Expo.”
Team includes Angela Manarangi, Commissioner General for the Delegation; with Demitra Tavioni-Neophitou, Elmond Numanga, Kura Taruia-Enua and Michael Jonassen. The Team will be based in the Pacific Pavilion at the Expo showgrounds with 15 other Pacific Countries over a six month period.
The Expo will run from 1 May to 31 October 2010 and is expected to attract over 70 million visitors and 200 participating countries. 40,000 people are expected to visit the Expo village daily.

Demo Party finally pay off their $100,000 debt
The Democratic Party has finally paid off the $100,000 debt which had been hanging over their heads for the past few years. The debts were accumulated over a couple of hard fought and expensive election campaigns including the 2006 by-election in Matavera and then snap election also in 2006. Some electoral seats resulted in some very close calls leading to legal challenges and resultant court cases.
The kaiou has been paid for by all 15 Members of Parliament from the Democratic Party. This includes Prime Minister Jim Marurai and all the Cabinet Ministers (past and current) and all the Caucus members. The Ministers earn more and thus contribute double the amount that the other MPs are pitching into the kitty.
The irony of the situation is that the $100,000 kaiou has been paid by all the MPs, Ministers and Prime Minister as a whole – so it does seem a little strange when the Party President and some Executive say they are the official Demo Party and that Government Ministers are considered to be on the outer.

Tobacco sales trending down
Latest figures released by the Statistics Office show that in the Cook Islands over the period 2006-2008 the quantity of tobacco imported has decreased. Consequently, the amount of tax obtained by government through the levy and VAT on tobacco sales, has also decreased. Although no figures are available for 2009, the trend is downwards indicating tobacco sales are down. This could also indicate a lower number of persons smoking.

Cabinet Ministers likened to being in the Chief’s House
The President of the House of Ariki, Tou Travel Ariki was asked for his view on the state of the Demo Government, given all the political maneuvers going on in the background.
The Ariki recalls that when the Democratic Party were voted in at the 2006 general elections, they won on their slogan of ‘Embracing the Future’. He recalls being very impressed with that message and how those few words included everyone from those from the ‘top right down to the grassroots’ in their vision.
He said the members of the House of Ariki prefer to see a Government that is united in their aims and that follows ‘the voice of their people’ and not that of their own interests.
In his view, the six Ministers are ‘sitting in the Chief’s House’ and carrying on with the work of running the Government and by their efforts are trying to live up to their motto of trying to embrace the future by reuniting the two different camps.
The President is a close friend and confidante to Minister William Heather.. - Noeline Browne

Herald Issue 463 10 June
- World famous activist assisting residents
- Budget will decide if residents prosecute Government over landfill
- Forestry project sucking Mangaia dry
- Budget 2010 – fiasco or disaster?