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CI Times Weekly | Current Issue 439|23 March 2012

News Briefs

Problems sorted by Telecom
Telecom was still experiencing a few hiccups with its phone network on Thursday morning but this was short-lived and resolved immediately.
The trouble started on Wednesday during part of the rollout of the new HDX telephone exchange.
A few more issues may arise especially as Telecom continue integrating the new system to the existing network.
The rollout and testing which commenced in July will be completed by the end of October.
CITV reported this back in July but the new system offers several new benefits including Caller ID, in addition, it is smaller in size, taking up less space, and consuming less power.
The current NEAX telephone exchange has served Rarotonga since the Post Office was burnt down in the early 1990s, the old exchange will be decommissioned and is expected to be sold to Telecom New ZEaland.
In other Telecom News, Telecom has introduced some new broadband rates which will give customers more usage on their current plan effective 1st of November. So if you like several others have been experiencing usage spikes in August and September, this will be welcoming news.

Involvement in tax issues raised
The Times has been advised that letters have been sent to the Audit office and MFEM requesting copies of documents under the Official Information Act 2008 relating to the role and extent of involvement of local prominent businessman Trevor Clark in providing advice to MFEM on taxation issues and matters.
In both cases the letters dated 3 October 2012, do not request these bodies mount any investigation or enquiry but provide copies of relevant documents.
The letters were submitted by Tata Crocombe with copies to all Cabinet Ministers.
This action follows a High Court prosecution brought by MFEM against Crocombe concerning tax and an admission in Court by MFEM that Clark had provided advice to MFEM. Crocombe has lodged an appeal to the Court of Appeal.
Crocombe alleges that Clark as a business competitor and acting as advisor to MFEM, would have had full access to confidential information about his business.
Crocombe has informed the Times that he believes the people of the Cook Islands are entitled to know how the tax affairs of the Government are “managed” in reality and what role Mr Clarke has in the Government’s tax matters.
Crocombe says the current Minister of Finance has inherited an appalling situation not of the Government’s making but needs to move swiftly to restore public confidence in the integrity and proper administration of the tax system of this country which must incorporate the fundamental principles of fairness, transparency and professionalism.
Crocombe believes that only a comprehensive enquiry with a broad set of terms of reference conducted by the New Zealand Serious Fraud Office into any and all tax irregularities over the last 30 years will be able to restore the shattered confidence of Cook Islands taxpayers that the tax system is being administered fairly, competently and professionally in accordance with the highest standards of integrity that we are entitled to expect from our own Government.
Under the Official Information Act, the Audit Office and MFEM have 20 working days to respond to Crocombe. -Charles Pitt

PM condemns newspaper attitude
The Prime Minister Henry Puna has weighed into the public outcry over the way Cook Islands News deliberately thumbed its nose at the people of the Solomon Islands. The Prime Minister labelled the newspaper “callous” and “devoid of community spirit”.
“I think it’s disgraceful on so many levels,” he said this week, soon after returning from an overseas assignment to the United Nations where he had worked closely with the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands and other Pacific Islands’ Leaders.
The PM said he was only going to comment this once about the matter but in doing so, he wanted to appeal to the people of Cook Islands to take a stand against this type of “spiteful attitude to belittle our friends in the Region”.
“This is not who we are. The external issue of the TAV clothing was not of our doing but the newspaper had no trouble in thumbing its nose at the Solomon’s people.”
“There was no cause for it and the cartoon being allowed to be published was well below the belt of dignified people – let alone a worthy profession.”
The Prime Minister said he fully understood the level of community disgust directed at the newspaper publisher. He said the newspaper has consistently failed to recognise sensitivities associated with our small community, as well as the ethical requirement for responsibility to be catered for in exercising free speech.
“The newspaper is in breach of its own industry’s ethical behaviour and continually fails to reciprocate on its own demands for fairness.”
The Prime Minister said the newspaper’s actions had managed to tarnish the entire community with one repugnant brush. He expressed his regret over the upset that this media attitude has caused the Solomon Islands and its people, and that the newspaper needed to demonstrate maturity.

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor
I have just been informed that I have been mentioned twice in this week’s letters to the Editor of the CI News. One by an anonymous Demo supporter who is ashamed of the way our country hosted the Pacific Islands Forum and another by Mr James Beer in a letter regarding the ongoing CITC soft drink import levy splitting.
I will answer Mr Beer’s request first as he has been forthright enough to put his name to his letter, a trait that I highly admire. The soft drink splitting situation that has landed in my lap is just another fine example of the mess left for me to deal with by the past Demo governments. I have spent a large part of the last 22 months as Minister of Finance dealing with the wrongs and the ineptness of the past Demo governments. As far as I know the practice of splitting soft drink import levies ended in 2009 during the time of the Demo government – the question is, why didn’t they fix it then?
The matter was referred to the Audit Office for investigation. The report was completed in July 2011 and tabled in Parliament last year. The Audit recommended two actions to be undertaken by the Minister of Finance.
Firstly that I ensure that the Customs Act provide sufficient guidance and authority on the collection of government revenue. I am happy to report that the new Customs Act was enacted by Parliament in June this year replacing the previous Act that was nearly 100 years old. The changes in the legislation will ensure that we will not have a repeat of the situation that occurred with soft drink classification splitting.
Secondly ensure that the goods component of the new Boarder Management System replace the current Customs manual system of collecting revenue by Sept 2012. Again I am happy to report that this will be done and that despite some delays the new automated Border Management system will be in place. This means duties and levies will be automatically calculated with built-in controls by the computerized system rather than calculated manually by officers.
The Financial Secretary and the Comptroller have the responsibility under our laws for determining what actions they can or will take in recovery or compensation efforts. In this matter they can only be guided by the law – not by the Minister and certainly not by the media. This may be a matter for the judicature and its officers (lawyers and judges and courts) to consider and, if required, adjudicate on. In this regard the FinSec and the Comptroller will rely on legal advice from Crown Law or specialist lawyers to determine what course of action to take.
Let us be clear that it will cost taxpayers a lot of money if we choose to pursue a legal challenge through the courts. The taxpayer is already paying over $100,000 a month to TOA as a result of legal settlements. It will take some very compelling legal advice before this government will risk more taxpayer funds in uncertain legal pursuits. As a business person, like Mr Beer, I know enough to rely on the advice provide to me by lawyers when dealing with matters of the law. My office is always open for further discussion with Mr Beer and any other interested party on this issue.
In response to Not Impressed (Demo) Voter – haha, get a life dude and get a name! You can say nothing, do nothing and end up being nothing OR you can be like me and our other MPs who have the guts to stand before the eyes of our people and the judgement of our God and make things happen.
Regards
Mark Brown MP
Takuvaine Tutakimoa

Dear Editor
Please spare me a space in your paper to share my point of view in this TAV clothes saga that is fuming in the Solomon Islands and now across the sea- Cook Islands of that mockery cartoon that your people have created to poke fun at their neighbours, the Solomon Islands!
“I am a Solomon Island woman who would like to have my say to the People of the Cook Islands regarding that mockery cartoon that was created to poke fun at my nation/culture/women with regards to that TAV clothes that was mistakenly worn by the Princess and Prince on their recent visit to the Solomon Islands. Due to the unspeakable and childish act of a ‘Second Class’ citizen of my nation!
It is appalling and sad that because a ‘Second Class Solomon Island Citizens’ action created this commotion in our country, the people of the Cook Islands have taken this opportunity to belittle and make a mockery of our Women/Culture/Nation by that cartoon. I must say that it says very little of how you regard our relationship on the bigger scale and as Regional neighbours/friends.
Whatever your reasons or motives are for creating this mockery carton (to us Solomon Islanders, it is very offensive and a mockery to our identity and prestige) it is obvious that you have no regard and are very insensitive to my country people as Pacific Islanders. Where is your sense of respect and brotherhood for a Pacific Island nation that shares the same sea under the Southern Cross?
We all have a common background and are bounded under the “Commonwealth Seal’ and yet you took this “TAV clothes saga” to make a mockery and joke of my Country Women, our identity, culture and Pride. Why??
Obviously you do not see or feel the insult and hurt that our people felt as a nation (Solomon Islands) when we discovered that the garments the two royals wore on their recent visit was not from the Solomon Islands Government House and people but, from ‘ Island Trend’ Clothing shop, a TAV design! All because of the unprofessional action of this “Second Class Citizen of our country, Mrs Keithie Saunders.
The act itself speaks of how she herself regards the Protocols that were in place not only by the Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs/ Government but also a mockery to the Scotland Yard’s affairs at the Royals recent visit to our nation Solomon Islands.
Put yourself in our shoes, how would you ‘wear’ it??
This I must say is a childish act and calls for our leaders to relook into how we regard each other and our level of respect at all aspects of our lives. Whether it be at home, school, church, tribes, communities and of course the family circle.
Where did we lose our Respect for each other? Why use this clothing saga to create a negative platform between our people’s feelings by creating this ‘mockery carton’, why?? What did you gain out of it, a sense of ‘Superiority’ above your Melanesian neighbour, Solomon Islands?
May I call for this sort of behaviour and attitude towards each other (may it be between whatever Island nations,) to stop before it creates enmity between our Pacific people/countries. Because this sort of attitude says a lot of one’s nations’ maturity and respect for each in all areas of life, both at home shore and abroad.
We should be supportive, defending and working together for better Pacific and Commonwealth Nations together, not against each other! We should be displaying mutual respect and creating a common ground of initiatives for a sustainable Pacific Nations together in the face of Climate Change!
We all sail the same sea, the Pacific Ocean, and celebrate the same Festival of Pacific Arts. Let us not belittle each other because we are all the same, created in God’s image.
To the author of this ‘Mockery Carton’ (and the good people of the Cook Islands); I hope you reconsider your actions see beyond your ‘carton’ creativity. May we all learn to display maturity and respect towards other Cultures/People and sensitivity to such issues in the future. Let us all learn to stand up for each other and protect the interest of our Pacific Nations, our cultures, traditions and common grounds of development.
Yours Sincerely,
Ms Georgia Tako

Letters to the Editor of the Solomon Times
Offensive cartoon

BY SOLOMON K. FROM MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
I too was bemused by the cartoon. However my one cent thought to you wantoks is this; LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF. An apology from the editor of the newspaper is not a solution to the offending, wantoks. Keep our heads high and leave behind the editor’s ignorance.
What a Shame! Cook Islands
BY T ALFRED VAHAU FROM PORT MORESBY PNG

Dear Editor,
As someone who follows events in the Pacific region very closely I find it very distressing that an editor of the Cook Islands newspaper dared to publish the cartoon to tarnish the image of a sovereign Pacific state! Considering that the SI successfully hosted the soccer tournament, the FOPA and the royal visit, all within very short time periods, one can only wonder about the mindset of the editor. Through the negative publicity the world knows where the Solomon Islands and the Cook Islands are. The world watches the royal family closely and the paparazzi hounds them. It seems the whole event leading up to the publicity of the cartoon was well engineered as a publicity stunt for the designer. I concur with others that the editor should apologize to the people of the Solomon’s to maintain harmony between the Pacific states. It has been thirty years since the last royal visit to the south pacific. How many more years now to the next visit? And if it does will Cook Islands be on the itinerary? The editor may have done more damage to the Cook Islands people than he realized!
Cartoon a Mockery
BY MARTIN OTTO FROM PNG

Dear Editor
Solomon Islanders are loving people who have the sense of respect for cultures not their own. What Solomon Islanders and its Government stood up for, Solomon Islands pride and Sovereignty as a Commonwealth Country. And for one of Cook Islands media to publish a cartoon that was, i would say disrespect and Sarcastic to our culture and its people is NOT acceptable. The Government of Cook Islands must apologise since its citizen has jumped over the line and insulted Solomon Islands, the government and its wonderful people and culture.
God bless Solomon Islands.

Survey will determine impact on coast
On Thursday, the Times interviewed Matt Blacker, a coastal engineer from The University of New South Wales Water Research Laboratory. Blacker and a colleague, are working on a project for the Adaptation to Climate Change for the Cook Islands, in which they will measure ground level with GPS surveying equipment around the Avarua-Nikao area.
From this survey, Blacker hopes to gain valuable information such as calculations on the force of waves and how this will impact the outlying coastal areas, rises in sea levels etc, as this is crucial for the knowledge of how this will affect low lying areas and such. The survey has been undertaken on foot, with the coastal engineers constantly moving around from the heart of Avarua to the Meteorological Office in Nikao, collecting satellite images of these areas in particular.
The research will also assist in the creation of future strategic planning into how the Cook Islands can improve its defences against extreme events, such as cyclones, sea surges etc. This survey is a part of a much larger project called ‘Coastal Adaptation Needs for Extreme Events and Climate Change’. The engineers have been working alongside the Office of the Prime Minister’s Climate Change Division and local engineer, Ben Parakoti.
As a part of Blacker’s studies, they will be making recommendations and displaying their results to various Government groups on possible improvements to the current methods of safeguarding against natural disasters, different ways that we can adapt the infrastructure. -Norma Ngatamriki

Free helmets from Motor Centre
On Thursday, the Times interviewed Diane Ioapa, General Manager of Motor Centre about their free helmets promotion that took place at the Motor Centre.
There were over 800 helmets valued at $33,000 that were given away. The promotion began in the morning and before the afternoon, within that short span of time, all 800 helmets were given out to keen customers. The helmets were free because the Motor Centre saw the need for helmets within the community as a result of fatal motorcycle accidents and head injuries that could’ve been avoided if helmets were worn, but unfortunately there weren’t enough funds for each motorcyclist to purchase a helmet each.
The helmets comply with New Zealand Standards Association safety specifications and they varied from different colours and sizes, from young toddlers to adults. The main focus of the free helmets promotion was to fulfil the need for helmets within the community and to ensure the safety of motorcyclists. With a helmet, it would reduce the high risks of having a fatal accident or head injuries after an accident.
Ioapa states, “I hope to see more motorcyclists wearing the new helmets and that it will reduce the number of injuries”.
The Motor Centre is pleased that helmets have gone towards a very worthy cause. -Ioana Turia

Busy week over for NCW

October 4th 2012. The Cook Islands National Council of Women rounded up a busy week of meetings and handicraft display with their biennial general meeting to hear the President’s report on progress made in implementing the Cook Islands National Policy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment and the Council’s Island Workplans.
In the President’s report, Vaine Wichman made reference to the development support received over the years from New Zealand, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the Commonwealth Local Governance Forum, and the Government of the Cook Islands. In particular she highlighted the achievements in progressing the maternity protection clauses in the Employment Relations Bill, and the significance afforded to promoting women in decision making made in the country’s gender policy.
Going forward she encouraged all Council members to continue to build bridges and optimize their strengthens in the conditions of rapidly dwindling populations in the Pa Enua, and the triple burdens now being felt by women and men alike to ensure home, community, employment, and island obligations are continued to be met.
She thanked the members and her executive for their support over the last 2 years.
The meeting closed last night with the Biennial General Meeting which provides the forum to review the Council partnership with the Gender and Development Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in implementing the National Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy 2011-2015, and to elect new executive members to lead the Council for the next two years. The election of new officer bearers showed the confidence the Council members placed in Mrs Wichman, by returning her for the next two years as their President. To assist her the Vice President’s elected were – Mrs Teina Etches and Mrs Mii Quarter, the General Secretary is Mrs Peka Munokoa George, and the Treasurer is Mrs Maria Taripo Teaurima. Island members elected their own representatives to represent them in monthly council meetings.
Also at the function last night, the Minister of NGOs, the Honourable Mark Brown provided support in delivering the prizes for the handicraft display. The Aitutaki Konitara Vaine Tini and the Mangaia Konitara Vaine Tini did well in the display sweeping up most of the main prizes, while Manihiki and Rakahanga Vaine Tini in the North maintained the key prizes for the rito and weaving handicraft that they are well known for.
The members from the Pa Enua are expected to return to their homes this Friday evening and next week Monday and Tuesday.
The reelected President in her acknowledgement speech humbly thanked the members for their trust in her to take their Presidency for the next two years, and encouraged all members to work for the betterment of our women and their families. She acknowledged all the past leaders of the Council and their supporters and the agencies through the ages that have trusted, believed and invested in the Council. She thanked the Patron – Te Ariki Rongomatane, for traveling to attend, and all members and friends and supporters for their marvelous effort throughout the week.
She made special mention of the many supporters and backers of the Council over the years, and thanked each and everyone of them for their support to Council concerns, the recently held handicraft display, the women and local governance workshop and also to the running of the Bienniel Meeting last night.

Police and neighbourhood watch report

On Friday morning, the Times interviewed Constable Matapo Makara with regards to 6 motor vehicle accidents that happened from last week Friday to Monday this week. The main concern was an incident reported to police of an underage driver at only 12 years age and also under the influence of alcohol. The vehicle crashed at the seawall in Nikao, and passengers involved in the accident were also under the legal driving age. There were also 2 minor accidents that occurred during Monday to Friday involving a jeep and a motorbike.
2 incidents of burglary were reported to police, 1 occurred in Rutaki while the other remains to be confirmed as police have yet to identify the stolen items. Details of the second burglary are also yet to be confirmed by police and reports off a fire that lead out of control in Arorangi.
The main concern for police remains drunk driving and will be running a breathalyzer test from Friday night till Sunday morning to ensure that drivers aren’t under the influence of alcohol while using the roads in hope that it will reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents this weekend.
The Times also interviewed Poko Keu, a leader for the Avatiu neighbourhood watch with regards to the program in which he hopes to establish throughout all the villages of Rarotonga. The neighbourhood program is currently in the villages of Arorangi and Avatiu. Every month, the police and the stakeholders meet to report and discuss the progress and the issues within these communities and what they can do to solve these problems. The main focus of the neighbourhood watch program is to help minimize problems like burglary within the community. Police and stakeholders reported that crime in the 2 villages in which the neighbourhood watch program is established has minimized from the last 2-4 months. Police together with the stakeholders have found that the common age group of reported incidents of burglary are from 8-25 years. Poko Keu and other volunteers in the neighbourhood watch have met with leaders of neighbourhood watch programs in New Zealand and they have found that it isn’t necessarily the children who are at fault, but the parents of these children.
Police together with the neighbourhood watch program have met with the Koutu Nui and the Aronga Mana about what they could do to help with the establishment of a neighbourhood watch program in each village on Rarotonga. The Koutu Nui and the Aronga Mana have decided to come up with a budget. Poko Keu invites anyone who is interested in volunteering to help with the neighbourhood watch program to come on board and help the community out with the many crimes we face each day. In order for the neighbourhood watch program to be successful, the help and support of the community is needed.
If you are interested in volunteering to help out with the neighbourhood watch program, contact Poko Keu on Ph: 21555 or mobile: 78567. -Ioana Turia

Cook Islands and Lebanon in warm up Test
With around 400 days until the start of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, the Cook Islands - who face Wales, USA and Tonga in Group D - will take on Lebanon (the Cedars) at the Crest Stadium, Bass Hill, Australia, next Sunday, 7th October, in a warm up Test.
The clash will mark the end of a sensational world tour for the Lebanon Cedars who narrowly missed out on WC qualification to Italy. Having played a match on every continent this year, a unique achievement in the sport’s history.
They have already travelled to the Americas (facing Canada in August), Africa (Liban Espoir, the Under-20s, toured Morocco in July), Europe (Lebanon Under-18s played in Belgrade’s August Youth Festival), and Asia (Lebanon’s Under-16s, Under-18s and Under-20s have all played home series this year).
Lebanon come up against the 15th-ranked, UK-bound Cooks Islands for only the second time, their first meeting being in Wales during the 2000 World Cup, a thrilling clash that ended in a 22-all draw.
Cedar’s coach David Bayssari believes his charges have benefitted from undertaking such an extensive programme. “It’s great to see new faces coming through the ranks and filling in the spots of seniors who have stepped down,” he said. “With our new elite program and technical department functioning we hope to begin our march to the 2017 World Cup with this game, and build from it”.
Cook Islands coach David Fairleigh, who starred in Super League with St Helens, is keen to see his elite players in action in what is a rare opportunity to assemble the side: “This game is good for our development leading into next year’s World Cup,” said the Newcastle assistant coach. “Since 2009 we have seen the Cook Islands team grow from mainly Toyota Cup and NSW Cup players into NRL players. As the profile of Polynesian players grows in the NRL it’s important for the game that the Cook Islands maintain a profile on the international stage.”
LRLF COO Remond Safi noted, “It is a great moment for Lebanese rugby league, with the Under-16s Harmony Cup the first event in which the LRLF is officially entering a team in Australia on the Saturday. I look forward to seeing all the activities that are unfolding out in Sydney with a link created back to the homeland.”
Sunday’s game will be preceded by Liban Espoir v Cook Islands U20.
COOK ISLANDS 18-MAN SQUAD
Aaron Nootai (Auckland Vulcans), Adam Tangata (Canberra), Drury Low, Tupou Sopoaga (Canterbury Bulldogs), Tyrone Viiga (Cronulla), Jeremiah Nia, Dominique Peyroux, Japeth Vaoa (Gold Coast Titans), Zeb Taia, Zane Tetevano (Newcastle Knights), Nathaniel Peteru (NZ Warriors), Neccrom Areaiti (North Sydney Bears), Geoff Daniela (Penrith Panthers), Monikura Tikinau (Redcliff Dolphins), Lulia Lulia (Shell Harbour), Tinirau Arona, Chris Taripo (Sydney Roosters), Isaac John (Wakefield). -By Phil Caplan 2 Oct 2012

Festival of Transitional Architecture, Christchurch
Coming back from my three week break in Raro, I was excited to discover what second semester had in store for us. I knew it would be exciting, as it usually is. Yet little did I know that we were going to be in one of the biggest rides of our lives.
This semester we were given the ‘Luxcity’ brief. It is a large scale fabrication studio with the purpose to design and build a ‘city of light’ for a one night event at the Festival of Transitional Architecture, to be held in Christchurch this month. The project is organized in collaboration between the School of Architecture and planning here at the University of Auckland, the Spatial Design Department at the Auckland University of Technology, Unitec, Victoria University, and CPIT.
The aim for each studio is to design fully functional pop up programmes (whether it be a bar, restaurant, theatre, etc). “This is going to be awesome!” we thought, but that wasn’t exactly the case.
Our task is to design a large scale installation that involves light. Dozens of concepts sprung to mind when we were handed the brief. The only issue was figuring out whether the concept could be made by 18 students, whether our groups would be able to raise the funds to complete that project, and whether it would be easily shipped to Christchurch and be setup in no more than 5 hours.
The semester started off with the whole class being offered six different topics. After choosing the brief we liked best, we were grouped. Each group consists of almost 18 students. Each group was then divided into subgroups of three to four students. From there we had to develop a concept that would be delivered to a jury, as well as the other groups in our course, including groups from AUT, MIT, Unitec, and CPIT. The challenging part about this presentation was that we were only given three minutes to ‘wow’ the jury with our concept. Close to 30 projects were presented that day, and only 11 concepts were chosen to be developed and showcased at the festival.
Fortunately for our group, our concept was chosen. This meant that the entire group would be working towards developing our project. Five other concepts in our year were chosen as well. We will be joining them and the wining concepts from the other Universities in Christchurch very soon.
Our group is called eLITE. E, for ‘evolving’ and LITE, for a floating structure that reflects the notion of being almost weightless.
We were touched by the current circumstances in Christchurch caused by the earthquakes. Being based in Auckland, we would never fully understand the emotional and physical effects caused. We wanted to create a serene environment where the public could come and feel revitalized for the duration of the festival.
Looking back at the history of Christchurch, we noticed how it embraced Victorian style architecture. This became the basis of our research. Researching into Victorian style architecture, we became intrigued by the chandelier and the emotional and romantic atmosphere it gave. We decided, “Okay, let’s recreate this experience at a large-scale.”
We’ve been divided into five subgroups.
One group is in charge of balloons. Our installation is going to consist of 91 balloons. When inflated (some with helium, and others with compressed air), each will be approximately 1500mm in height, and 500mm at its fattest point. Armed with fabric, craft knives, and heat sealers, each balloon will be handmade by the group to ensure an airtight product. Each balloon will be connected to another following a specific system. This system is designed by the ‘structure’ team. The system allows the balloons to rise and fall without causing any disruptions to the balloons surrounding it.
The structure team is also in charge of designing the links that connect each balloon, and the link that holds the counterweight beneath them. It may seem like an insignificant task, but it isn’t. As a group we decided that it would be cool to find a pretty chain from spotlight, and use that to hang the counterweight from. Sadly our spirits were crushed. Tutors, like many architects, don’t like to see things that are ‘already made.’ You are marked on your level of craft meaning your design must be original, and most importantly, ‘beautiful.’ At this stage, close to 150 connections needs to be made by hand. This group also controls how the structure is going to transform throughout the night.
Another group is in charge of counterweights. These will be attached to the bottom of the balloons. The whole idea is that when a counterweight is removed, the balloon displaces significantly creating an overall change in the shape of the structure. In a sense, the public is creating their own chandelier.
The third group is in charge of lighting. Their role is to find a light source that can be easily attached (and removed during the dismantle period) within the balloon. It must be warm lighting, and be light enough not to weigh down the balloon during the festival.
The fifth group is in charge of furniture. This group has managed to cleverly design a template that can be easily packed, shipped, and folded on the site. Each furniture can be recycled as it will be made from corrugated cardboard. At first site these pieces of furniture may seem unreliable. Through multiple tests however, they have proven to stable. With more additives such as paint, and waterproofing spray, the structure becomes even more durable.
We are now in the final days of prototyping and manufacturing. Each student has spent close to $500 or even more already. Due to lack of financial support, we are yet to pitch in more money to secure materials. I never used to believe the phrase “university students are poor.” I thought that if a student is at university, they can afford their tuition fees, therefore they are not poor. I was wrong. I have seen (and experienced) what it is like to resort to noodles, canned food, crackers, and water for lunch and dinner, to work late nights and still wake up for an early morning start, to take little naps during class hours so they can have that much more energy to keep working. These are only some of the sacrifices they make in order to acquire a degree that will hopefully secure a stable future, yet they are all staying positive, and working hard to ensure that their projects are successful. It’s reassuring. Not every student should be stereotyped by society as being ‘lazy’.
Will keep you updated. Watch this space -Sally Hosking

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

 
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