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CI Times Weekly | Current Issue 267 | 08 September 2008

Joining the Information Age through e-Government

The Cook Islands is poised to join the Information Age with an e-Government project to have all government departments and agencies provide public information about their services online.
The e-Government project is driven from within the Office of the Prime Minister by Maureen Hilyard and Pua Ngamata within the ICT (information communication technology) division. In her introduction to the Pacinet conference, project manager, Hilyard was a passionate advocate of the benefits of allowing people to have access the public information online.
Providing information online is not meant to replace person to person communication but adding another dimension to customer service.
For instance, a person may be too busy to get to a department during office hours but with the information available 24/7 online, the person can access ‘‘what they need, when they need it’.
There are benefits in terms of ‘cost savings, time savings’ and not having to make a special trip into town ‘just to pick up a form’ which could easily be downloaded off the net.
Going online is not a new concept with the Tourism Corporation hosting their own website to promote the country as a holiday destination as do the private sector with the resorts and hotels using them to promote their particular accommodation and tourism services.
However, it is a new concept for the Government departments with the Public Service Commission being the first office to go online with their information under the e-Government project.
However, it is important to differentiate common knowledge type of information which will be made available online to the public such as who is the Minister, the HOM, key personnel, hours of business, application forms, eligibility for entry into the Cook Islands or for investment opportunities etc.
On the other hand, there are still matters such as medical records and police records which must be kept confidential and under secure access for ethical and legal reasons.
For instance, Ministry of Health has almost completed their computerization of all their systems including accounts, stock control and even monitoring medication which are for generating management reports for internal purposes only.
The Police Force is also computerizing their internal systems with their information encrypted and scrambled to prevent their records being accessed by unauthorized personnel or hackers. GIS is another new technology they are using to pinpoint exactly where a person in distress is calling from to ensure they get to the scene as soon as possible.
So what was the impetus to e-Government?
It dates back to a 1990s World Bank report which exposed a high level of corruption by governments within Asia-Pacific where more than one third of aid money being donated to support social political and economic growth within the Asia Pacific region used ‘more for the benefit of politicians’ than for the people of their country.
In 2001, there was an international wave of anti-corruption activities with the Cook Islands and 16 other Asia-Pacific countries endorsing a regional Action plan based on ‘good governance’ and ‘participation’ of their people in the democratic process.
In 2004 an ICT (information communication technology) policy was established followed in 2005 by the ICT draft strategic plan. Then in 2008, Parliament enacted the Freedom of Information Act and the Anti Spam Act.

Headlines : Times 267 08 September 2008
- Environment Minister not advised of FSM meeting
- Special agency to look after northern affairs?
- Joining the Information Age through e-Government
- Hatchery commences production
- Calls for Pacific to enter world contest

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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