Politics behind failure to renew contract-Crocombe

Sam Crocombe says politics is behind the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) Board’s decision not to renew his contract as Chairman of the Ports Authority.
All other Ports Authority Board members have had their contracts renewed.
He points the finger at CIIC Board Chairman Tapi Taio claiming Taio has been waiting for an opportunity to oust him from the Ports Authority Board.
Crocombe told the Times on Thursday afternoon that he and Taio have had a difference of opinion over the Aitutaki Director on the Ports Authority Board, John Tini Snr.
Crocombe said he had Tini Snr removed from the Board because he was not happy with Tini’s performance however Taio he said, protected Tini Snr.
Crocombe said he believed that a year and a half ago Taio had removed Tini from the Board then in January this year he learnt from new Minister Wigmore that Tini’s tenure had never been terminated (see letter).
Crocombe said when he was appointed in March 2007 he became concerned at the unsatisfactory financial performance recorded at the port in Aitutaki over the previous four years and voiced concern at Tini’s lack of contribution at Board meetings.
On 5 may 2008, Crocombe went to Aitutaki to review and assess the Aitutaki operations and was disappointed Tini was unavailable although he was aware of the impending visit. Tini was to be part of the review team. Crocombe said he was surprised to learn that Tini had never visited the Aitutaki Port operations since his appointment.
In June 2008, Crocombe wrote to the Democratic Party Central Committee in Aitutaki expressing dissatisfaction with Tini’s performance and asked they recommend another representative for the Board. Crocombe said then Minister Tangata Vavia supported a change in representative as did Aitutaki MP Jnr Maoate.
However, a day later, CIIC Board Chairman Tapi Taio wrote to Crocombe informing him to reinstate Tini Snr. When he protested, Crocombe said Taio told him Tini’s appointment was political. Crocombe then advised Taio he would resign. Crocombe said Taio then told him he would let Tini go.
On 21 December 2009, the Aitutaki Government Representative advised Crocombe that Tamarua Kiria had been selected to be the Aitutaki Director on the Ports Authority Board. Crocombe passed the matter on to then Minister Vavia and CIIC Board Chairman Taio.
However, Crocombe was surprised to receive a letter from new Minister Robert Wigmore on 13 January 2010 indicating Tini Snr was still on the Board and had not been to any Board meetings. Wigmore advised that Tini’s appointment had not been terminated.
Crocombe said he then realized that Taio had not ended Tini’s contract and that for the last year and a half, Tini had still been a Board member.
Crocombe said he contacted former Minister Vavia who told him he had advised Taio to terminate Tini’s contract.
Crocombe said he then took the message he received from the Aitutaki government rep appointing Kiria to Taio. He told Taio he would go to the media.
Crocombe said after this conversation, he came away expecting Tini to be replaced by Kiria.
Crocombe believes that since this incident, Taio has waited for an opportunity to get back at him and when his contract came up for renewal, that was the opportunity.
Crocombe says in the end, Kiria was never appointed by Taio and Tini Snr remains on the Board.
Crocombe asks if the Tini episode is the reason his contract was not renewed or was it the Taio shipping shed electrical power hook up? Watch this space says Crocombe.
Tapi Taio was away in New Zealand at the time Crocombe referred this story and it went to print. He could not be contacted. However, the Times will seek a comment after his return.

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