Puaikura Aronga Mana sign Jetty MOU
On Tuesday the 25th of October a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Aronga Mana of Puaikura and the government regarding the proposed Jetty to be built near Arorangi Primary School for cruise ships.
The signing ceremony was held today the Tinomana Ariki Palace.
Those who attended included friends and family of Tinomana Ariki, Aronga Mana of Vaka Puaikura, Port Authority CEO Bim Tou and the New Zealand High Commissioner John Carter.
“I am very happy to have everyone here at my home to discuss and to sign this agreement of the joining of the New Zealand Government and the local leaders ( Ariki’s) so that we may be able to start on this new project that will be done here at our passage in Vaka Puaikura,” said Tinomana Ariki.
The proposed project for which planning began late in 2009, had not received much support until New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister McCully came to Rarotonga late in 2010. At that time, he discussed with Government, community representatives and Port Authority CEO Bim Tou, the benefits of the project to the Cook Islands and New Zealand.
The Jetty is to provide an alternative shore landing for cruise ship passengers when seas in the north of Rarotonga are too rough.
Tou said “It is about $300,000 per boat that we miss due to rough seas and with at least 10 of these every year, it is a rounded loss of three million, but with the accomplishment of this new project that won’t happen.”
Bim Tou said government is looking to start construction on the jetty during the school holidays to avoid vandalism and injuries to children during construction.
New Zealand High Commissioner John Carter received a very warm welcome by those who attended the event especially the local leaders with Tinomana Ariki praising him for wanting to learn about and connect with each of the leaders and their roles. -Tiare Ponini

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