Commitment still there
Concern at school subject restrictions
Censorship suggestions
Investigate the Public Service Commissioner
Please follow up
Daniel, you are not a bad person
Political soiling no good
Commitment still there
Fri
12 Feb
Dear Editor,
I want to clarify to 1Drop2Many (1D2M) and your reporter Helen Greig, on a couple of issues that have gone print.
I requested the meeting with the minister and asked Navy Epati to sit in because of his past experience in marine regulations.
There was a lengthy debate between Josh Mitchell from marine resources (MMR) and I as we have had on previous occasions. But it was all in good faith and it did help us identify loopholes in the system.
We have learnt and all are now taking corrective measures. Mr Epati is a good friend and his involvement with Northern Cook Islands Fishing Co Ltd is purely as an advisor.
The minister heard all sides and has reserved his decision to a later time. I have not returned to force a decision from the good man.
Yes, there were setbacks in 2009 for NCIFC which are being addressed and I believe our arrangement with government and with our fishing partner is still intact. Our commitment towards this project has not wavered despite negative reporting and judgments passed on our company and those I choose to work with.
Last year I repeatedly reminded the-then secretary of MMR about the arrangement and how important it was to meet the project stages.
The first stage was to grant us the required number of licences that will enable continued fishing during good and bad times.
The establishment of facilities was dependable on the issuing of those licences. The secretary informed me that the process was in the pipeline and the terms of reference would be ready by 2010. It’s now February 2010 and nothing has come to fruition so I’m now stuck with the same battle but with new kids on the block.
Regardless of the delays we still went ahead last year and purchased two 35 tonne freezer units and a 10 tonne blast freezer and these are in Rarotonga and I am working with Tapi to move these up to Penrhyn. These are mobile units so they can be moved during cyclone times.
We also procured 10 freezer units from CITC for the small time fisherman in the north and have landed these in Penrhyn and Pukapuka and I have already received a small quantity of fish from Penrhyn and you should try some 1D2M, I guarantee you there’s no electricity in this lot.
1D2M should be happy to note that we settled our licence fees for 2009 (540,000) and have also prepaid our 2010 fee ($640,000) but we have yet to receive any licences for 2010?
Our vessels have been popping around on high seas since 23 December 2009 and personally, I think it’s almost criminal to leave vessel and crew at sea for this long.
There is much more to write about but I can’t be bothered as I have better things to pass my time.
I advise 1D2M to stop passing judgment on me and my friends because all it does is harden my resolve to see this project succeed for the people of Northern Cook Islands.
Things are now in motion that will stem the depopulation and create opportunities for the Northern group.
Lastly I invite 1D2M for a chat because you and I and the people of the north will eventually take ownership of this project.
It’s time to gear our focus on helping our people in the north.
E tika oki te vananga -- na tatou rai e uuti ana ia tatou ki raro. Te Atua te Aroa.
Pureau B. Manuela
Director
Northern Cook Islands
Fishing Co. Ltd
Concern at school subject restrictions
Mon
15 Feb
Dear Editor,
Allow me to raise some of my concerns through your column.
Before the start of the school year, I was very happy as a parent that my daughter had passed her level one NZEA exams that she set last year. I encouraged her to do well again in the level 2 programme this year.
However, I was very disappointed to find out from her that she could not take some of the subjects she wanted to do because the teachers told her the classes were full. She was then told to take some level 1 subjects again or sent to do other programmes. I have heard some students are being treated the same.
I would like to raise my concern and disappointment with the teachers and principal of Tereora College. Why are these students being treated like this? Why are they being denied the education they asked for?
I’ve also heard that the teachers have set a certain number they allow in their classes and above that, they will not let them in. What is this?
Come on, children need education. It is their right. Teachers should not treat them like this. It is that child’s right to choose what subject he/she wants to learn and the teachers should get on and teach them.
If there are too many children, then create another class and get a teacher to teach them. Maybe these teachers are only picking the bright ones to make them look good at the end of the year. My daughter has to stick with what has been given to her whether she likes it or not. She has planned her subjects to fit with what she wants to be when she leaves school. But now I guess we will have to wait a bit longer for it to happen.
Disappointed Parent
(Name and address supplied)
Censorship suggestions
Mon
15 Feb
Dear Editor,
I note with interest significant paid advertising in the weekend paper advising details of banned movies, etc.
I suggest the new Minister and HOM for Internal Affairs have the censor get his act together and actually pursue these pirates who we all know have been smuggling/illegally downloading these movies for at least 10 years.Has there ever been a prosecution in all this time? Not one.
Perhaps the censor/pastor would be better off spending the funds given to his friends at Pitt Media Group for advertising towards filling his vehicle with fuel and actually getting out of the office and driving around the island to visit the known pirate outlets and simply confiscating the offending copies. Then simply take them back to the office for destruction – end of problem.
Time and again we have seen the censor bleating about understaffing etc. The answer is simple –get out there and do the job you are paid to do.
Action Man
(Name and address supplied)
Investigate the Public Service Commissioner
Mon
15 Feb
Dear Sir,
It’s amazing to read that the Public Service Commissioner appeared before a Ministry of the Crown to make submission on behalf of a private fishing company.
Given the position he holds in government, doesn’t he feel an obligation to stay out of these private sector involvements. If other fishing companies require similar support for their licence applications, will he willingly do the same?
Given that he left his last job as the Secretary of Marine Resources under a cloud, a cloud that has never really been cleared publicly, he should know better! Especially when one hears whispers that he still has some interest in fishing boats or licences.
So who is going to investigate the Public Service Commissioner?
I am sure that if he looks around the public sector there are a multitude of things that need his urgent attention which should take precedent over going in to bat for a fishing company. However, if you prefer working for the private sector, then resign as the Public Service Commissioner and have another go in the private sector and better luck this time!
A concerned Cook Islander
(Name and address supplied)
Please follow up
Mon
15 Feb
Dear Editor,
I have received an urgent message from family living on Aitutaki.
They have no water, 70% are homeless, 20% of the roads are down and no building supplies. They have heard nothing of any aid coming.
In NZ the government has given $200,000 in aid.
Can I ask you to check if that has been received and more importantly the money will be turned in to much needed resources. I have emailed your prime minister, our prime minister and I am sure replies will arrive in due course.
My feeling is that the media would be the best to follow up this asap.
Ataahua Ate
Rotorua NZ
Daniel, you are not a bad person
Wed
17 Feb
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Daniel Taura.
10020417
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Dear Editor,
The story about Daniel Taura!
During my visit to the Island, I spoke to Daniel outside Cafe Ariki in early January. He asked me how could he get a job. I said you need a CV. Much to my surprise he didn’t know what that was.
Well, we carried on talking about his situation for 90 minutes. He told me about his frustration with the pressures of being unemployed and not being able to support his young family. I said he can get a job if he puts his mind, heart and soul into it.
I also mentioned that he has to change his whole outlook on himself. Start seeing himself not as a failure but as a person who can change and who can make a difference, not only in his own life, but in the life of others. I said he also needs to surround himself with people who are not going to keep putting him down but that are going to lift him up in a positive way.
After saying this he said something that really broke my heart. He clutched himself as if he was holding someone in his arms, looking straight at me saying these very words: “You are the only person that has ever made me feel so loved and good inside. No one has ever said anything like this to me, but you. All I have ever wanted was to be loved.”
This is so alarming.
I was just wowed! I asked myself what can I do to support this guy. I tried to track him down before I left for NZ, but had no luck. My line of work is working together with youth in drug, alcohol and gang backgrounds. I would like to say something to Daniel.
You are not a bad person! You’ve just had a bad life! But it still doesn’t give you any excuse to carry on doing what you are doing. You can still do something great and positive with your life. You were not born to fail, but to succeed!
This also goes out to all those who are going through similar challenges in the fight for life.
I also plead for all parents to encourage our children to go to school. Learn and finish schooling to go onto higher studies. Leaving school early to work – this is called living only just for today and not for tomorrow! The higher the paper, the thicker the dollar.
It doesn’t help when we live in a society of ‘instant noodles’. Instant finance! Instant service! I want it! And I want it now! Having the flashes and latest gadgets will only last for a while.
But when you feed your brain with education, you will achieve more. EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS! People don’t succeed because of the lack of knowledge.
Blessings to Daniel Taura. I hope you get to read this.
Local Boys 4 Life!
Jinz George
Auckland NZ
Political soiling no good
Wed
17 Feb
Dear Editor,
In this time of suffering for fathers, mothers and children in Aitutaki, Makiuti Tongia had nothing else to do but political vengeance.
E aha roa teia tu? Tera akaou te au tuatua taviriviri e te akapikipiki a teia “political animal”.
And I recall while people were preparing for a recent cyclone warning in Rarotonga, he was on radio bleating on and on with his “akakino tangata”.
As I have always said, I worry about this man’s state of mind. He can’t seem tell the difference between “te tuatau tumatetenga” and his political soiling of others.
Try as much as he likes to win back the support of the people he has alienated – it is no secret their hearts are with us – the open, kindhearted and “meitaki” government.
Rurusia e tangata, purusia e tangata. Kia mau te selenga.
Wilkie Rasmussen
MP for Tongareva
Minister of the Crown
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