“Marurai will continue as PM,” says Maoate
Jim Marurai will be the Prime Minister if the Democratic Party wins the General Elections on September 26, says Dr. Terepai Maoate.
The Demo leader made this announcement on radio and television, and at a political meeting in Matavera, Thursday in response to CIP attacks on the dual leadership in government.
“If the caucus and the party continue to support Jim Marurai as Prime Minister, I am happy with that,” he told listeners in reference to the first Parliament session in the post election period.
Both Dr Maoate who turned 72 this week and the Prime Minister told the media the existing leadership arrangement was a pragmatic one for the party to ensure “harmony and unity” heading into the elections.
Dr. Maoate revealed the Demos had decided to avoid a general conference to choose new leaders and executives because that might have stirred division, disunity and bad feelings that could take some time to go away. “You just don’t need that before an election”.
Demo vice president Makirere Poila cited yesterday’s Cook Islands Party leadership contest as breeding disruptive factions in the CIP.
Poila saw the choice of Henry Puna as a slap in the face to the long serving senior MPs Tom Marsters and Tupou Faireka and their supporters in Murienua and Tupapa. It also struck him as dumb because Puna’s seat in the north was a marginal one and would be difficult to hold if Puna was away campaigning in Rarotonga and other islands as CIP leader.
Meanwhile, Robert Wigmore returned to Rarotonga last night to stand again in Titikaveka for the Demos.
Wigmore is hoping a win in Titikaveka will allow him to complete unfinished business. “There are some roads I would like to finish, the rugby field I would like to finish, septic tanks for some pigs farms I would like to finish, water and power extensions I would like to finish, and a back road from Vaimaanga to Rutaki to finish.”
“I’m raring to go,” he says.

Headlines : Times 166
- Fresh Leadership fires up CIP launch
- New faces to lead the CIP into the elections
- Rousing start to CIP conference
- Less MPs, revamp of parliament targeted by CIP
- Inspire people to do better Sir Geoffrey tells conference
- Sisters stress class, culture at new Little Polynesian
- Letter to the Editor : More to helmet saga than meets eye
- Pitt Media brings in training expert
- School's in for environment
- Avatea teachers back helmets
- "Marurai will continue as PM," says Maoate

Headlines : Times 165
- Magee the surprise in Demo radio show
- Pilot project sought to establish model for lagoon recovery
- Cook Islander heads Harcourts International
- Coach Enoka encourages young Cook Islanders not to leave
- Matenga gets islands media honour
- USP art workshop a success
- Letter to the Editor : To do or not to do
- CISNOC gets set for Samoa