Is politics behind the Tini Jnr suspension?

John Tini Jnr’s suspension from his position as CEO of the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) may stem from his unpopularity with government following the repair and upgrade work on Aitutaki Power Station.
The upgrade project was fraught from the start and attracted a lot of political interference. It was delayed twice while a private group sought to have this State asset transferred to them. However, the Times understands CIIC were not satisfied that the group had proven experience at operating power plants.
The group had only recently formed a company in NZ with a capital value of some $200 yet MP Junior Maoate and Minister Vavia were instrumental in pushing for the private group to take over Aitutaki Power Station.
Tini also raised Maoate’s ire when CIIC used builders from Rarotonga on the job instead of Aitutaki contractors. Neither were any building materials purchased in Aitutaki. The Times understands these matters were discussed on 25 August 2009 at a meeting with Tini and CIIC Minister Vavia, MP Junior Maoate, CIIC Chairman Tapi Taio, John Winchester (who has an Aluminum Joinery firm in Aitutaki), Daniel Ioane (who has a Timber yard business in Aitutaki).
At that meeting, the Times understands Maoate, Winchester and Ioane stressed all materials and workers should have been from Aitutaki. Winchester said he should have been given the chance to supply the materials. Ioane claimed his timber business was in jeopardy and Maoate indicated he also owned an accommodation business.
Following this meeting, on 31 August 2009, Tini received a letter from PERCA advising of a complaint against him by Junior Maoate over the public money spent on the Aitutaki Power Station project.
On 9 September 2009 Tini was suspended while in China. He returned on 12 September. Tini started at CIIC as CEO on 24 June 2007.
Tini’s father John Tini Snr was a strong supporter of the Demos and Junior Maoate at the last election but fell out with Maoate and the Demos over the Sunday flights issue. Tini Snr further aggravated the Demos when he joined up with the new political party in Aitutaki, Te Kura au Te Au.

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