Fast ferry to stimulate economic growth

A fast ferry service with a freight capacity will have the potential to stimulate economic activity in the outer islands and enable the outer islands to make a sustainable contribution to growing the country’s economy.
This is the vision Tim Tepaki and a group of Cook Islanders share. The group is concerned at the dramatic depletion in outer islands populations. More than 2,000 people once lived on Mangaia which had a thriving agricultural industry. Now less than 400 people live there and its agricultural revival faces an uphill battle due to costs and labour and shipping issues.
The group is concerned at the impact outer islands depopulation is having on those on Rarotonga whose taxes are keeping the outer islands afloat. Under the recent Supplementary Budget we see that this year, the value of this transfer in funds to the outer islands is $8.1million (net). Last year, this “value transfer” was $9.8million (net).
While government continues to commit millions of dollars to harbour upgrades in the outer islands, there is as yet no clear indication how this level of investment is going to be repaid. $1 million was spent on Nassau’s harbour yet only 77 people live there. Nearly $2 million has been spent so far on Mangaia’s harbour.
People continue to leave the outer islands and their economies make no significant contribution to the growth of the national economy. The agricultural revival in the outer islands is dependent upon a regular, reliable freight service at affordable costs. Boosting agriculture in the outer islands will help reduce much of the $30 million spent each year importing fresh vegetables and fruit from overseas. Getting fresh produce to markets in Rarotonga quickly is a challenge. A fast ferry would meet this challenge.
The group is very concerned that the outer islands are dying and that a big effort is needed to prevent this. Government is also concerned. At last year’s economic summit the plight of the outer islands was raised prompting the Prime Minister to later state that the outer islands had been ignored for too long.
Speaking for the group, Tepaki says people must look beyond a fast ferry service as just being a means of transportation and see it as being the catalyst for change. A change for the better.
Since the Times first announced in August last year, the proposal to set up a fast ferry service, Tepaki and the group’s vision remains unaltered.
As explained then, he sees the fast ferry as the catalyst needed to kick start economic development in the outer islands.
It will provide a regular, affordable means for increased numbers of tourists to visit the outer islands as a day tourist or to stay several days.
It will provide locals with the opportunity to start up businesses to cater for tourists or to start up new agriculture, fishing or home stay ventures.
For growers and fishermen, it will be an opportunity to supply the larger market in Rarotonga with an extended range of fresh produce and sea food. Imagine being able to get live crayfish from Mangaia.
For outer island businesses, a regular ferry schedule provides certainty enabling growers and suppliers to plan effectively. The cost of doing business will also come down with affordable freight rates that will be offered.
It also provides travel agents with the opportunity to offer tourists a range of more affordable and flexible travel options other than just a visit to Aitutaki. It gives outer islands the opportunity to step up promotions of their island. To market their island on the world stage.
At present about 1,500 people visit Atiu each year. If say 100 people were to visit Atiu each week, they will look for something to eat, drink, a vehicle to hire, entertainment, some crafts to buy and activities to engage in. This will put money into the pockets of locals.
With plans afoot to expand the Punanga Nui Cultural Market, the extra space should accommodate outer islanders coming by fast ferry to sell their produce and crafts.
A fast ferry service will also ring in some changes socially. It will enable large sports groups to travel around the outer islands at an affordable cost. People will be able to travel from say Mauke to Aitutaki direct. Workers will be able to live in Aitutaki and travel to Rarotonga to work each week, going home in the weekends.
Who will use a fast ferry service? Besides locals, the service will be marketed to tourists. More than 120,000 visitors are expected next year and a significant number is expected to consider using the fast ferry.
Tepaki asks locals to adopt a positive outlook, to consider the opportunities and to make the most of them when they arise.

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