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CI Times Weekly | Current Issue 266 | 01 September 2008

Cook Islands role in new Pacific Party

A Cook Islander in the NZ Parliament for the first time? That’s a strong possibility if the new Pacific Party polls well in the upcoming general elections in NZ says Party Leader Samoan Taito Phillip Field who is visiting the Cook Islands.
Just over two weeks ago, the new political party, the Pacific Party was launched at the Malaeola Hall in Mangere, Auckland before a crowd of 2,000. Since then, over 3,000 people have signed on as members.
Leader and former Labour MP for Mangere, Samoan born Taito Phillip Field arrived in Rarotonga early Thursday morning and at 9am went on the Radio Cook Islands Talkback show hosted by Charlie Rani.
Field who is still the MP for Mangere, was accompanied from NZ by the Party’s Financial Director Kia Ngaroi a Cook Islander. Following the Radio Show, Field and Ngaroi along with Tumupu Tumupu of Betela who is a Vice President of the Party, spoke with the Times. Field who is a part Cook Islander, told the Times there were two main reasons for his visit to the Cook Islands which were to explain why the Party was formed and also the Party’s vision.
Field said the party was formed to seek fairer representation for Pacific people in the NZ Parliament under the MMP system and to seek social justice through Christian beliefs and family values. These beliefs and values will promote peace, harmony and prosperity.
Field said NZ Maoris were well represented in the NZ Parliament in terms of their proportion but not so Pacific people and Asians. Field said there were only 4 MPs of Samoan descent and at 9% of the population, Pacific people should have at least 10 MPs. Samoans and Cook islanders were the two largest groups of Pacific Islanders said Field.
Field entered the NZ Parliament in 1993 as the Labour MP for Mangere. He was the first Pacific person to be elected. During his 15 years in Parliament he has been Associate Minister for Pacific Affairs, Justice and Social Development and Employment.
Under NZ’s MMP system, if the Party gets 5% of the vote, it will have 6-7 members in Parliament. If the Party gets a person elected in a seat and say 3% of the vote, it will have 4 members in parliament.
At this stage, the Party expects to contest just two seats. Field is expected to contest Mangere where in the last election in 2005 he won with a 15,000 majority. This time round however, Labour has a new candidate and the contest may be closer.
Some Cook Islanders will be entitled to vote in the NZ elections and cast a special vote through the NZ High Commission Office. Field encourages these people to exercise their right to vote.
Field said there has not been a Cook Islander in the NZ Parliament and this is an ideal opportunity to get a Cook Islands voice into the NZ Parliament. It was needed said Field because there were so many issues of concern to Cook Islanders such as isolation, depopulation, transport costs, employment opportunities and the qualification requirements for NZ superannuation. Also, many events in NZ impacted on Cook Islands society and wellbeing such as imports and tourism.
Field said the party would lobby for the removal of the five year qualifying period for NZ super. Cook Islanders he said were NZ citizens and entitled to the same rights as other New Zealanders living on an island such as the Chatham’s.
He encourages Cook Islanders to help unite the Pacific vote for an election win in Mangere and build up the party vote to the 5% threshold.
The Party’s policy priorities are listed separately.
Field said many Cook Islanders had joined the party in NZ but membership was also open to Asians and there were some Asians on the Party’s National Board.
Why the Christian beliefs and Values approach? Field said 99% of Pacific people were Christians. They were upset at the recent passing in NZ of laws which were ungodly. For example the legalization of prostitution, the anti-smacking law and the Civil Unions law which allowed homosexuals to marry and have equal footing to heterosexual relationships.
Field said all prosperity came through God and through him would also come social justice.
Cook Islanders are able to join the Party by contacting Tumupu Tumupu in Betela or William Framhein in Tupapa said Field.
The Party’s websites were www.bebo.com/nzpacificparty and www.newzealandpacificparty.org.nz
So far the Party has been launched in Mangere (Auckland), Christchurch and Porirua (Wellington).
Field said the issues surrounding his court case related to corruption allegations which arose some three years ago have yet to be resolved and he thinks this will not be done until April next year. In the meantime he is unwavering in maintaining his innocence.
Field is only in Rarotonga for two days during which he hopes to meet up with local MPs and Traditional Leaders. He has visited Rarotonga on several occasions and said he is proud of his Cook Islands heritage.

Headlines : Times 266 01September 2008
- Audit Office report Tapi’s in the clear
- Study tour learns how others do it
- Cook Islands role in new Pacific Party
- Pleased at his posting
- Mitiaro tackles plastic bag menace

Headlines : Times 265 25 August 2008
- Ministries may be grouped along policy lines
- Wilkie misses out on top Forum job
- Bulk purchase of fuel a cheaper option
- Super Fund now has 4,515 members says report
- Power outage explained

Headlines : Times 264 18 August 2008
- Aere ra Bob, a true friend
- Separate agency to handle nodules revenues?
- Water shortages drive residents to meeting
- New political party to stand for social justice
- PPA Trade Exhibition attracts high calibre companies

Headlines : Times 263 11 August 2008
- $1.2 million defamation suit launched
- QR’s programme in China
- Pensioners the answer to depopulation?
- Monthly economic updates welcomed
- Audience enjoys CIRA conference on Marae

Headlines : Times 262 04 August 2008
- Approvals by Environment Authority may be illegal
- Rosie – CISNOC’S new Secretary General
- The PDL takeover - what can we expect?
- Research Association to hold second Conference
- The power of positive thinking

Headlines : Times 261 28 July 2008
- Incomplete EIA raises questions
- Rasmussen nominated for top Forum job
- Elikana appointed Solicitor General
- Wichman on renewable energy
- Big crowd at energy meeting

Headlines : Times 260 21 July 2008
- Sea cruises getting the ships to tie up
- Rarotonga to host Trade meeting
- Former ADB head passes away
- Teaching Te Reo Maori in Secondary Schools
- Extensive coverage of Olympics on CITV

Headlines : Times 256 23 June 2008
- Uncertain times ahead
- The Budget: Where the money comes from
- Sunday flights a concern to Aitutaki residents
- Consultant to advise on growing the offshore finance industry
- Community workshops on climate change issues

Headlines : Times 255 16 June 2008
- Cabinet meet to discuss Ui Ariki, Digicel
- No Jail time for Areai
- Proclamation by the Ui Ariki
- Dinner for the Woman of the Month
- Queens in camp for new launch

Headlines : Times 254 09 June 2008
- PM wraps up in Rome – heads for home
- Report card on Takitumu Lagoon Day
- Aere ra, Krystina
- Former boxers invited to provide support
- $47 million to upgrade water supply

Headlines : Times 253 02 June 2008
- Saving Aitutaki
- Tepaki Group committed to Maeva Nui sponsorship
- Takitumu Lagoon Day will show what you can do to help
- Tropikana-a sweet inspiration
- Landowner opposes Taakoka Villas application for reinstatement

Headlines : Times 250 12 May 2008
- High Court ruling will decide if Company can compete with Telecom
- HTTC students get a taste for the good life
- Cook Islands Community Services of Victoria Incorporated launched in Australia
- Lagoon Field Day on 6 June 2008
- 500 days to the Pacific Mini Games

Headlines : Times 249 05 May 2008
- ‘Mr Bankruptcy’ seeks new partners
- The contracting out option
- Cook Islands to feature on TVNZ
- Candles in the wind
- Airport commercial spaces the other side of the story
- Aitutaki wedding for Helen Henry and Prof John Hay

Headlines : Times 239 25 February 2008
-THE NODULE SCANDAL
- Mitiaro identity recovers well
- Government team developing website
- Business Leaders told profits are green
- Award dinner for Woman of the Month for February
- After 5 Business Talk at Club Bana

Headlines : Times 234 21 January 2008
- “It’s not a nice day.” –Tapi Taio
- Freak storm takes Raro by surprise, causes havoc
DPM seeks inclusion in Alcatel cable network with Samoa and other Pacific nations
- Search on for promising young boxers
- Women’s activist, Lynnsay Francis on brief visit home
- SENZ education founders not sitting on their laurels

Headlines : Times 232 24 December 2007
- Response by DPM to ADB loan upgrade reveals concerns
- Tumutevarovaro Games declared a resounding success
- Italian Assists Cook Islands Climate Change Agenda
- Concept for new Te Aponga logo decided
- The woes of Pacific Engineering Standards!
- Koutu Nui visit to First Nations in Canada

Headlines : Times 231 17 December 2007
- Takitumu Basketball Gold contenders disqualified over wrong colour shorts
- Political reform: are we taking the right approach?
- Award of Contract for the Rehabilitation of Avatiu Harbour Marina
- The new face at the helm of Cook Islands Nursing
- Christmas presents from the Indian community to Creative Centre
- Former agriculture research station in Totokoitu under dispute

Headlines : Times 230 10 December 2007
- A travesty of personalities!
- Maine Tiare girls at Competition Finale at Auditorium
- What is happening at the Punanga Nui?
- Cook Islands World AIDS Day 2007
- We still owe $54.8 million
- Boxing: Club competition set for 18 December
- Youngsters urged to take up boxing
- A Cook Island experience in China Final

Headlines : Times 230 10 December 2007
- A travesty of personalities!
- Maine Tiare girls at Competition Finale at Auditorium
- What is happening at the Punanga Nui?
- Cook Islands World AIDS Day 2007
- We still owe $54.8 million
- Boxing: Club competition set for 18 December
- Youngsters urged to take up boxing
- A Cook Island experience in China Final

Headlines : Times 229 03 December 2007
- Over $50,000 raised for Hosking family
- Industry ushers in new media council
- USP Pro Vice Chancellor upbeat on proposed International Campus in Totokoitu
- Forever young – the new 60s social club
- Audit Office reports busy year
- Appeal in land partition case – Privy Council only recourse after Court of Appeal decision?

Headlines : Times 228 26 November 2007
- $3,500 super nest egg disappears
- Finance Secretary continues to comment on indoor sports complex
- Manganese fever, the new gold rush
- Cook Islands given tourism destination rating of 69
- Tepaki Group host netball team
- A Cook Island experience in China Part II
- Te Mire Tarai Vaka parade

Headlines : Times 224 29 October 2007
- Asbestos to go to watery grave
- CISNOC President thankful that decision on Sports Stadium made
- Cooks NGO to commit to conference goals
- Cost of bread increases as of November 4th
- Leaders call for immediate action to protect region’s fisheries
- Rarotonga scooter club
- CICC celebrate Gospel Day with Nuku Religious Pageants
- Letter to the Editor: Health Ministry recruitment process
- Boxing Association begins promotion
- Auckland East Win Roller Mills
- Party to celebrate opening of new Ocean & Earth store at Turtles
- Oasis Hydroponics set to expand

Headlines : Times 223 22 October 2007
- Fiji, RAMSI, Pacific Plan main issues for PM at Leaders meeting in Tonga
- Takuvaine bridges in need of attention
- Man remanded back in custody
- Clemency celebrates her Masters in Health Practice & Nursing
- Commemoration of Te Rua-o-Te-Tonga Meeting House
- Ten minutes with Krystina Kauvai
- Blue Light Day at Te Atukura ready for Saturday night
- Koutu Nui to attend Climate Change meeting
- Days away from the biggest Conservation Conference for the Pacific
- Conservation Conference casts a wide information net

Headlines : Times 222 15 October 2007
- The CPU saga- Lets get back to the central issue-Cowan
- Delay in Police investigation into Rakahanga case
- Government has lost its focus-Marsters
- Pacific countries discuss Tuna Fishing Management Options for region
- Graduation ceremony for Midwifery Graduates at Public Health
- Public Health conduct October Tutaka to fight dengue
- 2008 Pacific Year of the Reef
- Experts help to develop policies

Headlines : Times 221 08 October 2007
- The CPU saga-the other side of the story
- British Crown may have a duty to Cook Islanders following 1950s A bomb tests
- Fast ferry a step closer
- Financial Secretary recommends upgrade of facilities for Mini Games
- AOG Conference in October
- Cook Islands to attend Lawn Bowls World Singles Champion of Champions
- Business Toolkits workshop opens new pathways for participants
- World Cup next for Sam Pera Jnr
- Good rankings for Sam Pera Jnr
- Power prices set to increase again

Headlines : Times 220 30 September 2007
- Manihiki medical emergency details
- Stop Press: 60kg of donated drugs dumped by Ministry
- Surveyor in beach saga explains his role
- Staff flee MFEM-why?
- Exactly what is our population and ethnic mix?
- Reception for French Naval Officers at Te Atukura
- French helicopter lands at Tereora
- Historical trip reunites families
- Woman of the Month Award
- A Letter Home
- SPREP works to combat invasive species

 
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