News Briefs

Visitor gifted with traditional adze
Seen at the Rarotonga International airport is a visitor that’s just arrived back from Mangaia carrying the replica of the well known Mangaia adze. According to the visitor he was presented with this adze as a gift from one of the traditional chief’s in Ivirua. Mangaia Island is known for its arts and crafts, including a unique adze, and its interesting caves. The traditional adze is possibly one of the largest in existence today and was carved by traditional leader and carver Tuaiva Mautairi who wrote in a brief description of the art that the making of stone and wooden adzes “seems to be a dying art, but by sheer luck, I am lucky the good Lord has blessed my hands and I am able to make sure the art never dies.” The adze, is known as Te Toki Purepure a Mangaia.

SPEAKING NOTES
COOK ISLANDS PRIME MINISTER, HON HENRY PUNA AT THE PACIFIC ISLANDS INVESTMENT SUMMIT PANEL DISCUSSION - ENERGY DELIVERED: 1.40PM, TUESDAY
6 SEPTEMBER 2011
Te mana whenua o Tamaki Makaurau
Nga iwi katoa o Aotearoa
Nga whanau o Te Moana- Nui-A - Kiwi
Tena tatou katoa
Kia Orana
It is a pleasure and an honour to be in New Zealand amongst leaders of Pacific nations to discuss important issues for our countries.
New Zealand is especially important for Cook Islands people as our history tells us that the indigenous people of this country came from my country. On that note, I would like to start this presentation by quoting a well known Maori proverb.
He aha te mea nui o te ao?
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata
It simply asks, what is the greatest thing in the world? The answer is, it is people, it is people, it is people.
For me, the greatest thing in my country are our people. I have vowed to meet their needs, make real their aspirations and give them a dignified life.
It is for the sake of my people that Renewable Energy is a top priority for my Government. The primary reasons are two-fold; Environment and Economic. They are central to the lives of people in the Cook Islands and in our Small Island States because they can either make or break livelihoods of people who live on those small isolated islands.
Environmental, because we now realize that our current and past actions in using fossil fuel and emitting carbon into the atmosphere so we can have electricity for our homes, roads, computers and other modern amenities is wrong.
This has compromised the natural protective mechanisms in the ozone layers and has resulted (in my part of the Pacific) 18 cyclones in the last decade and 3 tropical depression. That is almost two cyclones a year. This is far too much for the small islands of the Cook Islands.
Economic, because we can no longer afford to spend another dollar on fuel. The price of fuel has increased consistently over the last decade at the whim of the Arabs to the point where it has doubled and tripled at our end.
For the Cook Islands people, the cost of fuel has already passed its equilibrium point where the most disadvantaged are giving up the use of electricity because they simply cannot afford to pay for them.
Doing nothing is not an option for my Government. We are obligated by our very promise to the people that we will govern with integrity which for us means ensuring that they live their lives with integrity.
The Cook Islands Government has set its policy of converting 50% of its island’s electricity needs into renewable by 2015 and 100% by 2020.
We can do this, we have to do this – for the sake of our people.
The policy goals may seem ambitious – may be so for bigger countries with large population and higher energy demand, but this is not impossible for the Cook Islands to achieve.
The Cook Islands has plans to achieve those targets and they are outlined in the Atamoa o te Uira Natura – The Cook Islands Renewable Energy Chart and Implementation Plan.
These documents set out the renewable energy policy, supporting principles and strategies that the Cook Islands will employ to change its electricity source. The Policy is closely aligned to the Cook Islands governing principles of Climate Change, Energy Independence and the Promotion of a clean green image.
Supporting the Policy are four supporting principles. First, it acknowledges that there are many players in the area of renewable energy, from engineers to landowners, donor agencies to pearl farmers in the northern group; they all have an important role to play in the achievement of our policy goals and that they will be part of one team in working towards one goal.
Second, it recognizes that all levels of Government from cabinet and parliamentary level to the most humble level of public service will work together to achieve our policy.
Third, that regardless of internal or external funding modalities, that everyone have access at all times to sufficient, affordable, reliable and environmentally friendly modern energy services.
Finally, that in achieving our policy target, the specific needs of our people on each of the islands will be taken into consideration and services will be tailored accordingly.
Strategies we will employ to implement this project are:
1. That we will only engage in technologies that are proven. This means that technologies that are still under development will not be entertained until it has been commercially proven;
2. The implementation of the energy source conversion for most islands will be done in one transformation given the size, population and energy demand of these islands, it would be cost effective and less disruptive if they were converted in one go;
3. Larger islands like Rarotonga and Aitutaki will take a Phased Approach where their conversion will be staged;
4. The electricity tariff will be reviewed and reassessed given the new source of energy;
5. The institutions that govern the provision of electricity also need careful examination;
6. Policy, legislative and regulatory tools will be readjusted given the new policy direction;
7. Our people will be given full information about this transformation and its consequential impact on them and their livelihoods;
8. The capacity of our Energy professionals will need to be built in this new area. They need to be given the specialist skills to manage and operate like they have with fossil fuels;
9. Once these electricity systems are transformed, efforts will be made to ensure they are self sustaining and financed. Self financing systems will be established for small islands and private sector investments encouraged for the two bigger islands.
This policy, supporting principles and strategies at this point is the driving force behind our transformation program for renewable energy.
We all know that technology and knowledge in this area are constantly evolving and getting more efficient and better each year. These are living plans. They will change as information regarding better and smarter strategies for achieving the policy become available.
I urge you my friends from other Small Developing States to join in the quest towards using renewable energy to generate electricity and free us from the bondage of fossil fuels we are currently under. We need to work as one team to achieve energy security in its true sense.
It is our duty, as Leaders, to see that our current and future generations can literally enjoy the energy bounties of our natural environment in a manner that is both environmentally safe and sustainable.
Time is of the essence so let us join together to now, as one, to overcome the region’s continued reliance on fossil fuels.
He aha te mea nui o te ao?
He tangata, He tangata, He tangata.

Ru Taura’s new CD
Ru Taura is going local, and he enjoys it that way. Having released Vol 2 Of ‘Ru and The Boys Araura Oki Mai’ he says, “Of all the songs on the latest album only one is in English!”
Ru and his sons Ru Junior, 18, and lead singer Abraham, 12, have been performing at various functions and special events across the island for the past 4 years including a weekly stint with the Edgewater Resort, and they are excited about their latest album release. Keeping things locally grown Ru self produced the album from his home studio Ka-Ru-Ote-Au and is selling them himself at only $20 a cd.
If you’re interested in purchasing one you can contact Ru on ph: 20-006 or Mob:70-005, he’ll even deliver to your home, Voila . -Maria Tanner

Centrally located shop Kuki Pac offers fresh fish
Kuki Pac Seafood is a new shop selling fresh fish which opened last Saturday next to the FBI Takeaway in town near Cooks Corner.
It is a new venture set up by Tutu Ina who supplies the shop with fish from his two fishing vessels the Matira and Noella K.
The shop opens from 9am-4pm on week days, 8am-3pm on Saturdays and 7am-2pm on Sundays.
When the Herald paid a visit on Monday afternoon, there were Wahoo, Striped Marlin and Albacore slices and chunks on offer with prices ranging from 14 per kilo.
A variety of other prepared seafood products like Sushi will come on line soon.
The shop should prove very popular because of its central location. -Charles Pitt

Noku ei toku purotu, no roto i te kutikuti o te ra
Ka raveia te Akatenianga Reo Maori a te au tamariki apii o Rarotonga nei, Mataiti 9 ki te Mataiti 13 a te Paraparau ra 8 no Tepetema nei i te ora 9 i te popongi ki te are putuputuanga o Iotepa Peata i Tutakimoa (St. Joseph’s Hall)..
Tumu Tapura; “E Tama/Maine Kuki Airani Au.”
Oronga mai i to pukai taringa e te au Metua kI te akatenianga korero a te anau tamariki. Oronga mai I to pukai taringa ki ta ratou ka akiaki atu e ka iriiri atu no runga i te tumu tapura.
E atianga puapinga teia no tatou e te au metua kia akarongo i te au manako e pera katoa ei kite i te tu karape e te maoraora o te manako ta te anau ka iriiri mai no runga i te Tumu Tapura.
Ka anoano katoa ia ta tatou tauturu i te akamatutuanga i te turanga o te tamariki i te akarakeianga i a ratou i roto i to ratou uaorai reo. I roto katoa i te orama e te irinakianga o te Kaveinga Apii o te Kuki Airani – Tu Rangatira no te Tuatau ki Mua, kua akaari mai te reira e kia “akatupuia tetai au porokaramu ei akamatutu i te reo e te peu Maori o te tamariki.”
Ko teia oki tetai o taua porokaramu, ko ia oki ko te akamatutu i te turanga o te tamariki i te tuatua, te tata e te akatutu i tona uaorai reo. Ka riro katoa oki teia ei parauanga na ratou i roto i to ratou oraanga.
“Ko te Reo e te Peu ka aere kapipiti raua.”
No reira e te iti tangata aere mai kia parau katoa koe i toou tupuanga Kuki Airani .”

What is government’s view on Tahiti’s bid for independence?
What stance is the Cook Islands government taking, on our behalf, over Tahiti Nui’s bid to get the United Nations to place Tahiti Nui back onto the decolonization list, the list it was removed from in 1947? The issue of decolonization arose at the Pacific Leaders Forum in Auckland with President Oscar Temaru seeking support from the Pacific family. No statement on the matter has been issued as yet by the Cook Islands Prime Minister. At the Pacific Leaders Forum in Samoa in 2004, Leaders decided that France and Tahiti Nui should resolve the matter between themselves. In short, everyone else keep their noses out. However, the Pacific has changed since then and the 2004 decision surely should be reviewed. France for its part appears to favour more autonomy for Tahiti Nui but not full independence at this stage. The key lesson learnt from the Fiji situation is that before the “Pacific way” had the opportunity to “kick in” Fiji became subjected to the “Western European way”- a concept of dispute resolution out of step with Pacific realities. The Pacific way is about the Pacific family dealing with its issues in-house. Former Prime Minister Hon Jim Marurai once told the Herald the Cook Islands would adopt the position the Forum took on Fiji. It is a convenient “fence sitting” position to adopt since there becomes no need for Foreign Affairs officials to work up a “country position” on the matter.

Cowboys Corner
Welcome to “Cowboys Corner”, last Saturday’s matches at Raemaru Park was a preview of what this year’s top four play-off competition will be like...games will be very competitive and will come down to the final whistle and most important of all...records do not matter and this is exactly what happened.
The day’s games started at approximately 27 degrees...very humid and on very dry grounds...the type of conditions that many would opt to be at the beach instead. The U13’s took the field after soaking up as much water as they could. From the outset, Tupapa are the champions in this age grade and they do not hold this status by luck...they are a very well balanced team across the field in fitness, speed and ball-handling skills which is a testimony to the work put into junior development in their Club. In this particular game the roles were reversed from their last meeting as it was the Panthers who played “catch-up rugby” for the entire game. With very little respect for the current champions, the Cowboys went about their business taking apart the Panthers set plays and game plan. The final score 27-10 to the Cowboys...a great effort on the part of both teams made this an exciting game to watch.
In the U16’s match and coming off a 90-0 thumping of the Eels in the final Powerade challenge on the Wednesday, the Cowboys started slow and increased the pace as the game went on. The Panthers who are sitting in second position on the points table made it clear very early in the game that this was not going to be a Powerade finals score-margin kind of game as they kept the Cowboys scoreless for the early part of the first half. After a half-time “rev-up” from their coach at the break, the Cowboys decided it was time to do what it is they do best and started crossing the line a few more times. The final score in this match 36-3 to the Cowboys. After their match they headed out to prepare for their Powerade Shield celebration BBQ planned for that evening of which they were hosted by Arorangi Club bar, Arorangi Rugby Club, T & M Heather and Rob & Mairi Heather for their tremendous efforts in retaining the Powerade shield for the second consecutive year.
We congratulate our U16’s coach Rob Heather, team manager Nga “Joey” Tarai and the Motor Center Cowboys U16’s boys.
The U19’s grade settled comfortably into a game of playing between the 22 meter lines on either side of the field. Neither side for most of the first half could cross the opposition’s 22 meter line. This say’s a lot about the strength of the defence on both sides (not too good about the attack though). The Panthers were the first to put points on the board with a penalty conversion...0-3. The Cowboys responded with an unconverted try 5-3 and held the lead until another successful penalty conversion put the Panthers back in the lead 5-6; this was followed with another penalty conversion less that 15 minutes later...score now at 5-9 with another 20 minutes of play left and neither side showing any sign of weariness. Two more penalty conversion attempts made by the Panthers failed to register more points...these were closer to the goal posts and should have being easier kicks...perhaps it was the pressure that put the kicker off... the Cowboys supporters were fine with that. In the last few minutes of the game, the Cowboys had possession of the ball created an over-lap on the left side and with quick passes allowed the left-side winger to cross the line and score. The try conversion, although unsuccessful...the Cowboys claimed the win 10-9.
As Tupapa has no reserve grade, the next and final game was the Premier grade. Coming off a battle and a half with the Reds the weekend before was not the best preparation as the two sides have totally different strengths...the Reds up front and the Panthers in the backs. The game started with the Panthers crossing the line before many supporters had even settled down to watch the game. This was followed with a successful penalty conversion...the score was 0-10 to Panthers before the Cowboys warmed up and crossed the line. The game showed plenty of backline speed and skills in the Tupapa pack and they have definitely shown that they are serious contenders for the final and fourth spot before the play-offs. The final score was 28-20 to the Cowboys and this was not an easy win due to the high mistakes-rate on the part of the hosts...something that Coach Nga and Pare will work on this week.
This weekend’s matches between the Ngatangiia Flying Dragons and the Cowboys will be played at Raemaru Park and in the Premier grade this is the decider as to who will be the winner of the rounds. The Flying Dragons currently hold first place on the points table with 39 points and the Cowboys are in second with 38 points. Remember a win is worth 4 points, a draw 2 points and a loss 1 point. Only a Premier grade team can earn a bonus point and that is through two situations...the first is to score four tries or more and the second is to lose by less than 7 points. In the rest of the table (Premier Grade)...in third position are the Eels on 36 points, in fourth position the Panthers with 20 points, the Reds in fifth with 16 points and finally the Bulls with 15 points. After this weekend’s matches only the top four teams in each grade will proceed into the play-offs. The play-off’s format are; the team in first position will play the team in fourth position and the team in second position will play the team in third...the winners will advance to the CITC 2011 Grand Finals...where a winner for the 2011 season will be decided so get to a field this weekend and support your team for the final three weeks of 15’s rugby for 2011.
Next week, we will bring more rugby news from the Cowboys Rugby Club 2011 campaign and acknowledge a supporting sponsor of Cowboys Rugby. Good luck to all our teams this weekend.

Cyclone shelter work ahead of schedule
Work on the Pukapuka Cyclone Management Centre-(CMC) project has been excellent to date with the completion date anticipated to be in February 2012 – ahead of schedule.
Local contractor is Landholdings Ltd with on-site project manager Mr James Atera providing regular progress reports.
Designers/Engineers and Supervisors of the project (Kramer Ausenco Vanuatu Ltd) are overseeing the project on behalf of the Cook Islands Government, providing regular progress reports and approving all work done, through their on-site representative Mr Richard San Jose.
Work progress to date:
o Most brickwork is completed with plastering to be completed by 2nd week of September
o Painting has started on plastered walls/brick work
o Plumbing water supply and sewage lines installed in toilets/showers and kitchen
o Steel frames are expected to arrive 15 September 2011
o Mezzanine floor complete
Daphne Ringi
EU Programme Assistant

16 years in Tahiti and 26 albums for Mr Music, Charlie Rani goes one-on-one with Kutia Tuteru
tHe is one of the country’s favourite sons in music and has lived in Tahiti for the last 16 years. He is also one of our exports to French Polynesia in music. I happened to crash into him at the Punanga Nui Market and the first reaction he gave me was ‘no shows this time as he didn’t bring his keyboard.’
The purpose of Kutia Tuteru’s trip is to take local medicines for health reasons. I had a one-on-one interview with him:
Do you consider yourself fortunate to be performing live music in a French territory?
I praise God for opening the doors for me to go to Tahiti and merely promote our Cook Islands music. I have been in Tahiti for about 16 years now and the going has been tough however, I am enjoying it.
Would you encourage any of our local musicians to follow suit?
Yes. Tahiti has a big population and their love for our Cook Islands songs and music is always there. One advantage I found all this time while in Tahiti is our ability in our Cook Islands songs and also English being our second language. Musicians in Tahiti find it quite difficult to relate songs in the English language. Musicians are paid well in Tahiti though.
If one decides to come to Tahiti to follow in your footsteps what would be one of their obstacles?
The only obstacle I found is learning the Tahitian language which has relevance to our own lingo too. It is an easy language to learn and once you master that it will help you move around and sell yourself to the Tahitian market for a performance venue.
What other advantage do you have performing in Tahiti?
I am literate in the Tahitian lingo and also French language of which I am also proud of because it helps me to relate better during my performances in public bars and night clubs, and in front of a live audience. I can sing anything in our local language Tahitian and also French that musicians in Tahiti find had to cope with. Hey, Tahitian’s have this ‘feeling’ of doing our local songs and I think they do it better but some of the words they don’t pronounce properly but it’s still beautiful.
Do you see yourself as a threat to Tahiti when it comes to music?
I have always been a threat when it comes to music because I find that Tahitians do not really honour their contract to perform at one venue. There are a lot of musicians and singers in Tahiti, that’s the reason there is never a competition there however, I have always honoured my ‘verbal’ contract where ever I perform. It’s quiet at the moment but I used to play 6 days a week, with 7 hours a gig. Whenever I travel home for a holiday, my commitment is always there when I return to Tahiti.
How many CD’s have you released in your name and do you have a favourite song you composed?
I have about 26 albums on the market today and I owe this to the talent that God gave me and also through my family my own perseverance to keep on writing new songs. My favourite song that I have composed is “Love me again” taken from my Imirau album and “Taku Kimi’anga” of which I have now lost track of how many people have also recorded this song.
Meitaki ma’ata Kutia for sharing with us your love and passion for music and living in Tahiti this long. One thing I have always noticed of Kutia the humbleness and respect he has with our Cook Islands music and songs and wish you speedy recovery with your health.

Father’s Day
The best thing you could give your daddy on Father’s Day? Hugs, kisses and a cold bottle of Stein. I reckon my dad got more than what he bargained for (lucky fella). My mum and I treated him to a party with close friends and an umu. Not every dad gets that for his special day and mine enjoyed it (Well, he SHOULD have enjoyed it. My mum spent a fortune on his beer.) This particular article is dedicated to all the daddies out there, young and old. Lolz.
The morning began with a clanging of pots, pans and roasting trays. What the heck? I thought to myself. Is there a hurricane in our kitchen? And then I realized what day it was. Father’s Day. That banging around in the kitchen was my mum figuring out which tray to put the pork in, which bowl to mix her maroro in (Eeew). I was supposed to be out there helping her, but she said that I would only get in her way. Nice one, Mum. I don’t know what Dad was doing (I think he was marinating the pork. Lolz.) While I was enjoying my sleep.
Two hours later, when I just managed to drag my heavy bum out of bed, all was quiet. I snuck into the kitchen to see if there were any munchies (I should have known better. My mum never leaves snacks in the kitchen) I went back to my room empty handed and hungry. I knew my parents were outside having their “daily discussions” with a cup of tea. I sighed. Dad had invited his drinking buddies over. I knew at this instant that it was going to be a really rowdy night. For me especially. But since it was Father’s Day, I would permit my dad to “exceed” his usual drinking limit. Lolz.
My dad’s friends had arrived (with chillibins full of booze). I hope someone was going to be a sober driver for them. If not… Oh, well. It started out as a quiet drinking sessions, the main topics of conversation was pigs and taro patches. Boring much. The more booze they drank, the more “confident” they became. That’s when all the dancing, joking and shouting picked up the pace. Man, if you heard the things coming out of their mouths. Lolz. So intense, even for an old bag’s standard.
To end the night, everybody settled around our dining table, stuffing themselves up with food fresh from the umu. That’s when everybody started to share their piece of mind. Especially my dad. He had a lot of expressing to do. Well, he could express himself all he wanted because the next day, it’s back to feeding the pigs and grasscutting. My mum seemed to be getting grouchy and I knew why. She was worried about the cleaning up. Lucky for me, I wouldn’t be around to help her out. Hehehe. All and all, I think my dad enjoyed himself to the max. -Norma Ngatamariki

Week 21: Nutritional Program

Kia orana again, its 21-weeks since we joined the program and our progress have been great so far. With last week being our ‘measure-up day’ we did good as our body-fat, waist measurements and weight all came down, we’re still waiting for an update from Mack who’s still in New Caledonia, and Tiare is now in Auckland representing the company at the Pacific Islands Forum and both will return sometime this weekend, we’ve been encouraging them to keep up their protein intake and to stick to the program – so hopefully all goes well on their return.
Next week, Harriet’s off to China and because it’s China, their food anyway is low on carb’s and high on protein and small servings – we know she’ll be okay so there’s no need to worry.
As for me, I’m off to the RWC at the end of the month! That’s going to be a bit of a worry though, as I’ll be surrounded by food and alcohol so my challenge to myself is to ‘behave!’
As for Team Determinators, we’re getting there – we just need a bit more ‘determination’ and need to do a bit more group exercise and to rally everyone in for a bit of a chit-chat!.
We’ll bring you an update on how this week’s challenge goes and a progress report on Mack and Tiare on their return from koka!... also…. Hapi b-day Harriet (for Friday!)

Herald Issue 554 09 March
- Norm exposes Trio of Doom
- Briefs from PM’s media conference Tuesday
- Tourism Industry ponders $5 million draft strategy
- Norman George resigns from Cook Islands Party
- Letter of Resignation from CIP
- Norman selfish says Prime Minister