Cook Islands Party under Tepaki’s thumb: Demos
The Democratic Party says Tim Tepaki’s financing of the CIP campaign could be an issue in the general elections.
The Demos have seized on a big influx of what they say is really new Tepaki cash into the CIP coffers, accusing the CIP of falling under the thumb of the Wellington-based property developer.
They ridicule a claim from CIP secretary George Turia that the party had received no money from Tepaki, and allege the $50,000 from Woonton could only have come from his keeper.
Woonton, who is kept by Tim Tepaki as a personal consultant, continues to live in Tepaki’s apartment in Wellington. Since Woonton lost his position as High Commissiioner in Wellington, he has not had a proper job. “There is no way Woonton would have $50,000 to give to the CIP,” say the Demos.
They say the people should use the General Elections to send the CIP a message.
Of real concern to the hapless Demos however is the firepower that new finance is giving the CIP campaign.
At the beginning of the month the CIP was broke, over $50,000 in debt by one estimate. Now the party is suddenly able to finance charter planes to fly campaign teams to the Outer Islands (almost $30,000) and pay the prizes for its monster raffle ($40,000).
CIP sources confirm that Tepaki has given financial assistance to many individual CIP candidates, including Norman George, Piho Rua, Travel Tou Ariki, John Baxter and George Cowan. There are donations going from the CIP to the Outer Islands to churches, sports clubs, fishing clubs, and schools. For example, the church in Mitiaro is the recipient of $10,000.
The Demos believe the decision to bring Robert Woonton from New Zealand for the campaign was mainly to try and shore up Henry Puna in his seat in Manihiki.
Puna is understood to be in danger of losing his seat, which was the main reason some delegates at the CIP conference were persuaded to vote him as CIP Leader over the more obvious choices of Tom Marsters or Tupou Faireka. It was thought winning the leadership would help sway swinging voters in Manihiki to Puna.
As of last Monday, Demo strategists still had Apii Piho ahead in Manihiki on their count. The electoral roll for seats like Manihiki is so small that it is not difficult for both parties to assess how each person is likely to vote. How much difference Woonton will make is hard to tell. The Demo vice president Makirere Poila for example says Woonton abandoned his supporters under the CIP-Cook Islands First coalition while Henry Puna’s supporters were looked after. It would be extremely difficult for Woonton to win back those who felt he betrayed them.
Woonton however could save Piho Rua in Rakahanga. The Demo candidate David Greig is mounting a strong challenge there and the seat is now too close to call. Sources on the island say it is likely to fall the way that one family decides to vote which is why Robert Woonton is traveling there to try and win over that family to Piho Rua.
While CIP candidates in the Outer Islands are benefiting from Tepaki campaign money, CIP candidates on Rarotonga fear a backlash.
One candidate was told this week by a former supporter that he and his wife “won’t be voting for a party that is under the control of Wellington”, a reference to Tepaki’s mounting influence in the party.
If the CIP win the elections, Tepaki is expected to have the multi-million dollar Diplomat project in Wellington restored to him, as well as possibly getting the second international shipping licence (thereby cutting out the Pacific Forum Line service) and the green light to build hotel units over water in Aitutaki.
The Demos claim the money that has mysteriously poured into the coffers of the CIP and individual candidates in recent days would be a pittance compared to what Tepaki could reap from the above ventures.

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