Who will fill vacancies on government Boards?

Over the next two months increased interest is expected to arise over who will fill the various positions on government Boards as they become vacant due to the expiry of current contracts.
The public will be waiting to see who the new CIP government will appoint given these positions are usually filled with political appointees.
While remuneration of Board members is not significant, it is the influence people in these positions can apply which interests a new government looking to implement a new policy direction.
At the end of March 2011, 8 positions on various government Boards will come up for filling as current contracts expire.
Four positions including Chairman will become available on the Airport Authority.
One position will become available on the BCI Board. At this time a new Chairman will need to be appointed. This Board is at least one member short because a minimum of 5 is required and no more than seven.
Three positions, including Chairman will become available on the Te Aponga Uira Board.
At the end of April 2011, a further four positions will become available on the Ports Authority Board. This includes the Chairman position.
Four other senior civil service positions are coming up to be filled by end of March. These are; Chair of CIIC (currently vacant-Julian Dashwood acting), Director of Audit (currently held by Paul Allsworth), Ombudsman (currently held by Janet Maki) and Public Service Commissioner (currently held by Navy Epati).
Also coming up is the position of High Commissioner to NZ (currently held by Mike Mitchell).
It is also expected that government will reactivate the Remuneration Tribunal but with an expanded role to include those on higher salaries and the civil list. The Tribunal may be tasked with reviewing the public sector pay structure.
Listed below are the various Boards and their members along with the term of their contracts and details of their remuneration.
Also included for reader’s information are the members of other Boards, their term of contract and their remuneration.
Cook Islands Investment Corporation – 4 (3 by Minister + CEO ex-officio)
Annual Fee Chair $25,000-00 Directors $11,000-00
Julian Dashwood (Appointed 1st February 2011 – at Minister’s will)
Lee Harmon (App 22/02/07 – at Minster’s will)
Lloyd Miles (Ex officio – Acting Chief Executive Officer 7/09/2009)
Tapi Taio (Chairman App 21/02/07 - Ministerial Appointment) - Resigned as at 30th September 2010
Teava Iro (App 22/02/07 - Ministerial Appointment) - resigned as at 30th September 2010
Cook Islands Government Property Corporation
The members of Cabinet make up the members of the Board. Board fees are not paid.
Hon. Henry Puna, Chairman
Hon. Hon. Mark Brown
Hon. Tom Marsters
Hon. Teariki Heather
Hon. Teina Bishop
Hon. Nandie Glassie
Subsidiaries
Airport Authority – 6 (5 + Director of CA ex-officio + Airport Manager ex officio)
Sitting Fee per meeting Chair $240-00 Directors $200-00
Kato Tama (Chairman - Deceased)
Ngametua Arakua - (Re-app – 24th March 2010 – 1 year)
Archer Hosking (Re- pp 24th March 2010 – 1 yr)
Alan Maki (App 24 March 2010 – 1 yr)
Aukino Tairea (Ex officio - MOW Aviation)
Joesph Ngamata (Ex officio - Airport Manager/CEO)
Bank of Cook Islands Holdings Limited & Bank of Cook Islands Limited (≥ 5 ≤ 7)
Annual Fee - Chair $7,500, Directors $5,000 No appointment for more than 3 years, must also nominate positions of Chairperson and deputy Chairperson and have FSC approval
Robin Bullen - Chairperson (Re-App 22nd March 2010 - 1 yr)
Jessie Sword - D/Chair person (Re-app 3rd August 2010 - 1 yr
Tuaine George (App 4th March 2008 - 3yrs)
Vaine Arioka (Ex-officio - CEO – Re-Appointed – 21st October 2010 up and until 1st November 2011
At least 1 member short, need a minimum of 5 no more than 7
Ports Authority (≥ 3≤ 5)
Annual Fee - Chair $7,500, Directors $5,000
Directors - Vaevae Tangiiti (Chairman - App 28th April 2010 – 1 yr)
- Makiroa Mitchell (Deputy Chairperson Re-app 28th April 2010 – 1 yr)
- Makirere Poila (Re-app 28th April 2010 – 1 yr)
- Rakimata (Lucky) Matapuku (Re-app 28th April 2010 – 1 yr)
- Michael Henry (Appointed 10th February 2011 at Board’s will)
John Tini Snr (Re-app 28th April 2010 – 1 yr) – Resigned 13th October 2010
Secretary - Anne Raymond – Secretary
G/Manager - Bim Tou
Te Aponga Uira O Tumu-te-Varovaro (Chairman + 2 apponted + 1 ex officio)
Annual Fee Chair $6,000 Directors $5,000
Directors - Piltz Napa (Chairman – Re-app 24th March 2010 – 1 year)
- Stephen Anderson (Re-app 24th March 2010 – 1 year)
- Tangata Ina Tou (Re-app 24th March 2010 – 1 year)
- Mata Nooroa (Ex Officio – Secretary, Ministry of Energy)
Secretary - Apii Timoti – (Ex officio – General Manager/Chief Executive Officer TAU)
COMPANIES AND OTHER CORPORATIONS AND INTERESTS
Cook Islands Property Corporation (NZ) Ltd
Teremona Taio
Teava Iro
Cook Islands Broadcasting Corporation
Non-trading Company. Board fees are not paid.
Arthur Taripo Vaine Teokotai
Siona Paku
Cook Islands Telecommunications Holdings Limited
Harmon Pou Arere
George Lindsay Turia
Bernadette Raffe - Secretary
Ngatama Aniterea -Telecom Manager
Clinton Barry Davis - Resigned 13 January 2009
Stuart Leslie Davies - Resign 10 July 2009
Cook Islands Telecommunications Assets Limited
Harmon Pou Arere
George Lindsay Turia
Bernadette Raffe - Secretary

By Charles Pitt

Headlines : Times 290 02 March 2009
- Lucky $1,000 winner
- Century old palm trees and the French connection
- Koutu Nui takes part in Raui meeting in Moorea
- WOM Award Dinner for Ake Hosea-Winterflood
- Island of Atiu to host Koutu Nui AGM in June 2009