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CI Times Weekly | Current Issue 271 | 06 October 2008

Memorial service for Brian Donnelly

Friends and ‘family’ gathered in remembrance of Brian Donnelly, New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands who passed away on September 25, 2008.
The memorial service was held at the Cook Islands Christian Church in Ngatangiia on Wednesday evening. The office of the DPM, Sir Terepai Maoate had arranged the service which was attended by all the Takitumu friends who knew Brian from his stint as a teacher at Titikaveka High School from 1977 to 1980.
Papa Rau Nga, stalwart of the Ngatangiia Ekalesia, but former keen football player recalled their sports days from way back when and how Brian had been part of the introduction of rugby league to the Cook Islands despite the opposition of the rugby union diehards. They both played rugby league for Ngatangiia-Matavera, with many commenting on how small Papa Brian was compared to the giant that Papa Rau is but how much he was determined to play the game and how he used to refer to a game plan.
During that time, they had become very good friends and many years later, when Brian took up the post as High Commissioner, their friendship resumed but this time revolving around inviting him to church service every Sunday at Ngatangiia. When the NZ Rep asked the deacon when he was going to stop inviting him to church, Papa Rau said the invitations would stop ‘when you go to heaven’.
On their last Sunday together, it was obvious that Brian was seriously ill but he kept insisting there was nothing particularly wrong and that he would be back soon.
The DPM spoke on behalf of government and conveyed their condolences to Brian’s widow, Linda and the children. He also expressed the country’s heart felt gratitude for all the hard work that Brian put in during his all too brief return to the Cook Islands. Sir Terepai referred to Brian referring to a ‘game plan’ which was to make a plan, carry it out, then monitor and evaluate the plan to see how it is working.
The High Commissioner was obviously a very popular man amongst the Takitumu people with Ngatangiia and Titikaveka speakers vying to prove his greater loyalty to their village or the other but in a jocular manner, of course. For instance, it turned out that Brian lived in Vaerota in Avana right next door to Tere Tangi and his wife Kapiriterangi, who is now Kainuku Ariki and what great neighbours, Brian and Linda were.
Judging from all the eulogies, Brian endeared himself to the Cook Islanders because he was determined to join in and become part of the fabric of society and his ties remained no matter how many years he was away from the country.
Presents were always sent through to Titikaveka College from Brian in the form of books and when the teachers asked who sent the gifts, the answer was always that they were from Brian.
Speakers included Education Secretary, John Herman, two teachers from Titikaveka College, Tiki Matapo, former Titikaveka MP and now chairman of CISNOC and last of all the NZ Aid Manager, Julie Affleck on behalf of the staff at the High Commission.
Julie said she had only just taken up her post when NZ Rep took ill but she could see from the reactions of the staff and people in general that Brian was held in very high regard. His instructions to the staff was not to fuss and just get on with the job while he was away and then insisted on signing hundreds of pages of documents to approve various aid packages before he left the country. She then recited a very moving poem that befitted the occasion before thanking everyone for coming to the memorial service for His Excellency, Brian Donnelly.
Aere ra Brian and all our sympathy to Linda and the family.

Headlines : Times 271 06 October 2008
- Takitumu Trip All Go!
- Are paying guests owed a duty of care by hoteliers?
- Upsetting the playing field
- Memorial service for Brian Donnelly
- PIPSO holds regional small business forum

Headlines : Times 270 29 September 2008
- Chinese offers attractive, unconfirmed
- Health Director under investigation, may resign
- “He will be missed” Hon Wilkie Rasmussen
- Sir Thomas Davis KBE Memorial Trust launch
- Personal memories of Papa Tom from Tamarii Tutangata

Headlines : Times 269 22 September 2008
- Head of Works resigns
- PERC members resign
- Fishing: foreign boats face higher fees
- Having fun at the Tereora College Food Festival
- Special welcome for Bank Manager

Headlines : Times 268 15 September 2008
- PDL directors plead for understanding and support of creditors
- Emergency Management workshop next week
- Climate change threat to food security
- Anne prepares for pageant
- Ellena to Fashion Show

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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