News Briefs
CIP gearing up for Atiu by-election?
Is the Cook Islands Party (CIP) gearing up for a by-election in Atiu?
It appears Cook Islands Party (CIP) supporters in Atiu’s Teenui-Mapumai constituency want to force the issue of current MP Norman George standing down so a by-election can proceed.
George has declared himself to be Independent and no longer attached to the CIP however, the Times understands he has yet to be formally accepted by the Democratic Party machine for the electorate. Also his membership is yet to be confirmed by the Democratic Party in conference.
In the meantime George has been careful not to give the CIP any opportunity to invoke the provisions of the anti-party hopping legislation when parliament is in session.
Two weeks ago in Atiu, members of the Teenui-Mapumai electorate held a meeting where a woman raised the issue of CIP representation. Members were concerned at the CIP only holding one seat in Atiu. This issue was mentioned by Apii Porio to the Pitt Media Group who was in Atiu to cover the opening of the new Tourism Office. A week later, last Monday evening, an elimination of CIP candidates was held with the following results;
Apii Porio 20 votes
Taoro Strickland
(George Brown) 20 votes
Vaine Pe 4 votes
A final runoff was to be held on Tuesday night but it is understood the Prime Minister had it cancelled to avoid splitting the voters.
The question now raised is why did this elimination proceed? Do the CIP have enough evidence to force George’s seat to be declared vacated by the Speaker and a by-election called?
It will be interesting to see what happens when parliament resumes.
Key CIP party officials are saying nothing for now.
Tourist Advisor goes on attack
CI Tourism Corporation CEO Carmel Beattie says, the latest update by a website going by the name Tourist Advisor is being monitored. The website has once again attacked the Cook Islands government and the people of the Cook Islands. Despite the ugly and inaccurate statements, there is no case for the country to make and the best practice is for people to ignore the tone and the contents of the emails and website.
Despite the site being both defaming and racial, its creators have threatened to unleash a further 7 websites attacking the Cook Islands. Beattie says, the best motive at the moment is to ignore them as our tourist market is of experienced and sophisticated travellers who would quickly realise Tourist Advisor’s true motives and ignore the communications.
Pageant Orientation Day
Girls interested in joining the Miss Cook Islands Pageant this year which is to take place in June, are invited to attend the Miss Cook Islands Orientation Day which is scheduled for 5.30pm on Wednesday the 14th of March at the Aquarius Hotel.
Clee Marsters, President of the Miss Cook Islands Pageant Association told the Times, “ All girls interested in taking part in the pageant should turn up to the orientation day to gather shared information on the requirements to join and what would be expected of them.”
The event is one of the four major events happening this year
The anticipated event will start off their first fundraising of the year with a concert which has been postponed to the 29th of March. “We had to post pone the concert so that all the invited singers could attend,” explained Martsers.
Tickets are on sale now.
New system proves its worth
It did not take long for the Police’s new communication system to prove its worth. It enabled Police to make an arrest and recover stolen property before the victims even filed their report.
Recently a Police patrol unit spotted two known criminals on a beach.
The men were doing nothing wrong at the time, but the officer used the radio to alert others that the men were in the area. A short time later a tourist reported a theft.
A police team working elsewhere on the island had heard the original alert over the radio and spotted the two men and arrested them, recovering the stolen property.
It transpired that the men had targeted two tourists and when the second tourist arrived at the police station to report the crime he was met with the news that the offenders had already been caught and he was reunited straight away with his property.
First Ladies Breakfast – International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day was launched on Thursday morning at the Aquarius Hotel with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and wives of government members, recognizing the political and diplomatic women of the country.
Attending the breakfast function were Lady Goodwin, Dame Margret Karika Ariki, Lady Marito Maoate, Hon. Ngamau Munukoa and wives of the Opposition Members of Parliament.
This historical gathering of ladies from opposite political background is seen as a new pathway to future development for women in the political arena.
In her speech the Prime minister’s wife Akaiti Puna acknowledged the key role that wives play in supporting their husbands, Te Au Vaine Toa.
She also acknowledged three women as role models who have attained international status, and who are all born and bred Cook Islanders. They are Niki Rattle, Tina Browne and Rosie Blake BEM.
PM to meet Cook Islands communities in NZ
Prime Minister Hon Henry Puna has accepted an invitation to meet with Cook Islands communities in the South Island of New Zealand including those residents relocated to Ashburton following the Christchurch earthquake.
Accompanied by the Cook Islands High Commissioner Tekaotiki Matapo, the Prime Minister’s South Island visit will begin in Dunedin on 14 March 2012, and will include Invercargill (still to be confirmed), Ashburton (15/3) and Christchurch (16/3).
In Dunedin he will meet board members of Pacific Otago Trust and the Pacific Advisory Trust – both charitable trusts that provide health and support services to Pacific communities in Otago; followed by a visit with Pacific students at Otago University and an evening meeting with members of Otago’s Cook Islands community which numbers around 5,000.
The following day he will travel to Ashburton where he will meet Cook Islands people many of whom were relocated from Christchurch as a result of last year’s earthquake.
Whilst there he will also call on Ashburton Mayor Angus McKay for a brief visit before returning to Christchurch that evening where he will be welcomed by the tangata whenua and Ngai Tahu chief executive Solomon Solomon and dignitaries including the Mayor of Christchurch Mr Bob Parker and MP Gerry Brownlee
The Prime Minister’s visit has been instigated as a result of an invitation from South Islands Cook Islands people who were present at meetings he held last year with Cook Islands communities in Auckland and Tokoroa.
The Prime Minister Puna will arrive back in Rarotonga on Saturday 17 March 2012. Whilst in New Zealand, the Deputy Prime Minister Hon Tom Marsters will have delegated responsibility for the Prime Minister’s portfolios.
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
