No double dipping by President of House of Ariki

A special review carried out by the Audit Office for the period March 2008 to March 2010 had concluded that Travel Tou Ariki did not breach any legislation when receiving remuneration in his capacity as President of the House of Ariki and as a member of the Mitiaro Local Council even though he was employed full time by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Planning (MOIP).
The finding is set out in Audit Office’s fourth quarter report, Part 2, 1 April 2010-30 June 2010, tabled in parliament last Thursday, commencing on P 435.
The review was conducted as a result of information alleging Travel Tou Ariki was receiving two salaries from the Crown, firstly as Assistant Supervisor Operations (Water works) MOIP and secondly as President of the House of Ariki.
Audit found the Public Service Act 1995-96 was replaced by a new Act in 2009 and a new subsection 38(3) allowed public servants to receive remuneration for performing a service on behalf of government as long as that service was performed outside of government working hours.
Also section 38(1) allowed public servants to receive remuneration beyond their employee remuneration as long as it was provided for in the Public Service Act or any other enactment.
In March 2008 Travel Tou Ariki was appointed to MOIP thereby making him a public servant.
In November 2008, he was elected President of the House of Ariki entitling him to a salary of $8,000 per year and an allowance of $100 per sitting.
He also collected a salary of $2,000 per year as a member of the Mitiaro Local Island Council although he currently resides in Rarotonga. His salary and position was in accordance with the Outer Islands Local Government Act 1987.
Audit noted that under the House of Arikis Act and the Outer Islands Local Government Act, Travel Tou Ariki because of his traditional title, receives remuneration whether he is working or not.
When he is attending to commitments under the above legislation, he does not charge MOIP for those hours. He must take annual leave or leave without pay.

By Charles Pitt

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