THE YEAR IN BRIEF 2009
1999 and all things political
Banyan tree exhibition a visual marvel
Pacific Mini Games 2009
Cousinly love in family camp
Festive fun for Nicholas-Tauira family
Next Akanoa family reunion in 2012

Raviz Restaurant manager Nayshad Akhatar was this close to the shotgun blast which could have killed him during an armed burglary in April. 09040822

Cook Islands News reported a total of 10 escapes last year from Arorangi prison. 09081473

2009 did have its lows – crime and court reporter Dana Kinita looks at some of the incidents which made headlines last year.

January

An 18-year-old escaped from custody at Arorangi prison. Daniel Mare was later captured by police while trying to buy a ticket to Aitutaki, fellow inmate Vaikoloa Taufahema was caught shortly after the escape.

A 33-year-old motorcyclist received surgery after driving head on into a vehicle driven by tourist. Police said the man crossed the centre line in Arorangi before colliding with the oncoming car.

February

Convicted fraudster Albert Tshabalala left the Cook Islands accompanied as far as Sydney on his way to South Africa -- his station wagon vehicle was set on fire opposite Blackrock at the time he flew out of the country.

More than $3500 worth of cigarettes is stolen from Rarotonga Freight Services.

A 41-year-old man was arrested and charged for abduction and convicted of rape, detaining a girl with the intent to have sexual intercourse and indecent assault of a girl under 12. Fakiki Munokoa Araipu was later convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

March

Eighteen-year-old Ngatupuna Rata escaped from Arorangi prison and turned up at his mother’s house in Arorangi where she fed him and drove him back to prison the same evening.

A Chinese worker was arrested for smoking on an Air New Zealand flight from Auckland. He pleaded guilty and was fined $100.

Two Fijian men were knocked off their motorcycle in a hit and run incident – a woman was arrested in relation to the incident.

Two Chinese workers were hit by a vehicle while walking in Nikao. A 21-year-old was arrested and was later sentenced in the high court.

Fifteen staff members are fired from the Oasis Energy Centre following an ongoing investigation into stock shortages. Nine people were later charged with theft as a servant and were convicted in the high court.

April

Raviz Restaurant in Avarua was victim of an early morning armed burglary – a shotgun was fired with the bullet just missing the manager. A scuffle broke out between the theives and employees before they ran awaytwo 15-year-olds were arrested and pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery.

A 34-year-old male dies after falling from his motorcycle along the seawall.

A British tourist is hit by a car near Rutaki – police arrest an 85-year-old but later drop the matter as there was insufficient evidence.

May

A 21-year-old died in motorcycle accident in Tutakimoa the victim struck another motorcyclist from behind causing both drivers to fall off their bikes.

Police find Kakino Nooroa Kakino Jnr hiding in a cupboard in a Nikao holiday home, five days after he escaped from Arorangi prison.

A rape complaint was laid involving a girl under 12 in Aitutaki – police are still investigating.

A man was admitted to Rarotonga Hospital after being stabbed in Arorangi – a 26-year-old man was arrested in relation to the assault.

A 43-year-old tourist is killed after being hit by a car in Tupapa. The visitor was a Golden Oldie player who was struck while walking from back to his accommodation. A man was arrested at the scene and has entered a not guilty plea to the manslaughter chargethe case is ongoing.

June

An 18-year-old died after his motorcycle hit head-on into a truck near the Rarotonga airport.

Thieves were caught on camera while robbing the Rite Price store in Arorangi -- the offenders broke through a back window and crawled on their stomachs from the office and down the office in a futile attempt to avoid the cameras. Dressed in dark hoodies, gloves and balaclavas the thieves stole around $2500 worth of goods.

July

A 15-year-old girl is killed after the stolen vehicle she was driving collided into a tree in Titikaveka. Two boys aged nine and 10 were apprehended by security officers trying to break into a tourist accommodation in Arorangi.

Two girls aged 12 and 14were arrested after breaking into an Arorangi home and stealing a blue Honda car. They abandoned the car after it had run out of petrol. All youths were referred to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.

August

Former manager of Cook Islands tourism office in Auckland was sentenced to prison; Albert Numanga was ordered to serve three years and nine months for defrauding the government of more than $1 million.

Two men tied bed sheets together to escape from Arorangi prisonRoger Tauarea and Daniel Mare were on the run for four days before handing themselves in. They claimed their escape was in protest at the prison conditions.

A 34-year-old was arrested at the airport for importation and possession of narcotics.

A 31-year-old arrested for importing drugs after police found 273 grams of cannabis in a bucket on a boat in Avatiu wharf. A no-guilty plea was entered to the charge with the case still ongoing.

A 10-year-old and a 13-year-old were apprehended by police for stealing a tourist’s wallet in Arorangi. It was reported they took the money home to buy food -- the pair were referred to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Committee.

September

During the sentencing of Jonathon Mokoha for two counts of burglary and escaping from lawful custody, Crown Law referred to a probation report that stated how the defendant received help from a prison warden. The warden was subsequently dismissed from the prison services. Police have completed an investigation into the former warden and Crown Law is looking into the case.

An 18-year-old escaped from Arorangi prison while cleaning the outside of the prison area with fellow inmates. He was later caught two days later after being seen near a housie premises in Tupapa. Police arrest and charge a Nikao resident for failing to comply with an excess noise notice.

Police charge a 16-year-old Cook Islands Pacific Mini Games team member with two counts of assault – he later appeared in the Children’s Court.

October

A probationary police officer and a former recruit (now officer) were arrested for fighting in a public place. Both were suspended from duty but were later reinstated after the court dismissed the case.

Police charge a 40-year-old for cruelty to animals after 18 malnourished pigs were found in Nikao. The man was the caretaker of the animals and pleaded guilty in the high court. He was fined $20 and $30 court costs.

Two inmates, Putere Dean and Daniel Mare, escape from Arorangi prison. They broke free after cutting through the rusty bars above the maximum security area. After three days on the run, they were captured by fellow inmates recruited to assist the search team.

A security camera helped police arrest a suspect involved in a burglary at Cook’s Island Bus Passenger Transport Ltd.

Andrew Tonorio was identified from the footage but company co-owner Frances Cook led police to make an arrest after Tonorio was spotted at Aremoana Fish ‘n Chips the following day. The suspect later appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to the burglary. He will face a defended hearing this year.

November

A 18-year-old died in Aitutaki from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash. The male driver collided into a parked vehicle in Amuri.

An unlocked prison gate leads to the escape of inmates Teremoana Saddler and Andrew Tonorio. Both were later court by police and wardens and were charged with escaping from lawful custody.

A 59-year-old nurse was charged with manslaughter after the death of a 15-month-old girl in Mitiaro. The woman, who has name suppression, pleaded not guilty in the high court and the case adjourned to February 25.

A Vaka Eiva competitor was tripped while chasing a thief who stole her handbag at Trader Jacks. The woman had combined her Rarotonga visit to get married and compete for Toa Moana of Australia. A 16-year-old was chased down by a security guard and later appeared in the Children’s Court.

A safe was ripped out of guest room from Edgewater Resort. Two German tourists lose more than $6000 cash, a mobile phone, visa card and their passports forcing them to extend their stay until replacement passports were issued.

December

A Nissan pickup truck ploughed into the home at DJ Stockfeed in Arorangi. Residents were woken up as the vehicle collided into the front porch and killed their dog. The driver was admitted to hospital and police were waiting on blood alcohol results before charges were laid.

A female tourist woke up to find an intruder on top of her. The woman was asleep in an Arorangi unit when a man startled her awake. The victim was able to fight the intruder off while her daughter ran out of the room for help. A 26-year-old man was arrested and pleaded guilty to burglary and assault on a female. He will appear in court on January 14.

Meeting at the Demo headquarters just before the start of parliament on November 17, 1999. 10010838

With what has happened over the past couple of weeks, one only has to look back to 1999 – just over a decade ago – when similar events occurred. Senior journalist Moana Moeka’a looks back at that turbulent year.

It’s quite funny looking back to 1999 and comparing it to the events of the past two-and-a-half weeks.

For one, most of the same people involved at that time are still involved in politics.

Wilkie Rasmussen is a minister of the Jim Marurai cabinet now. But he wasn’t an MP in 1999.

He missed out on winning the Penrhyn seat and ended up being a spokesman for the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) and running things from the sideline.

Dr Terepai Maoate – as he was known then -- was the leader of the DAP.

Norman George was the leader of the New Alliance Party (NAP). George was deputy prime minister in a coalition government with the CIPs following the June 1999 general elections. He was sacked in October that year along with education minister and fellow NAP MP Marurai.

It’s quite clear where the current PM learned how to fire fellow cabinet ministers!

In 2010, the Democratic Party and the Cook Islands Party claim that the five-MP cabinet led by Marurai is unconstitutional and undemocratic.

But it was no less different in October 1999.

At least then-prime minister Dr Joseph Williams had eight members in his CIP/NAP alliance, including new Avatiu-Ruatonga-Palmerston MP Peto Nicholas who remained with the coalition.

On the outer at the time was CIP MP and now-Opposition leader Tom Marsters who didn’t want anything to do with Dr Williams, and CIP MP Tangata Vavia who joined up with the DAP/NAP faction.

And when Norman George departed on October 13, 1999 and cut his links with the CIP coalition, what followed was no different to what has transpired in the weeks since Christmas 2009.

The ‘opposition’ called for the resignation of Dr Williams and his ‘minority’ government before the resumption of parliament on November 17 that year.

Dr Williams should “consider the repercussions of what he is doing,” said George at the time. “The most dignified thing for him to do is hand over the prime ministership to Dr Maoate.”

They also petitioned the Queen’s Representative Sir Apenera Short who basically told them that a snap election was out of the question and for the MPs to wait until parliament sits again.

Dr Williams did not fill the posts left vacant by George and Marurai. However on Tuesday, November 9, the PM appointed Teina Bishop and Sir Geoffrey Henry to cabinet, and installed Tupou Faireka as deputy prime minister. The ‘old’ and the new ministers continued to collect their salaries for three months after they were ousted on November 17.

Even two days before the parliament sat, Teina Bishop, along with Tom Marsters, were knocking on DAP doors to broker a “moral deal” – both anxious for the CIP to form a coalition with its rivals.

“It’s not about prime ministers or politicians,” said Bishop. “It’s about permanent stability and political reform.”

But that wasn’t enough to sway the inevitable on Wednesday November 17 when a motion of confidence in Dr Maoate was carried in parliament.

The members in the Williams’ cabinet all handed in their resignations to the Queen’s Representative that morning.

Everyone that is but Dr Williams who swore never to step down.

“I never go back on my word. I never have and never will – I made a promise to the people of this country, I made a statement that I will never resign,” he said at his cabinet’s final photo shoot before heading off to parliament that fateful day.

Later that evening Dr Williams was philosophical about his dumping as the nation’s leader but added that he had enjoyed the time working with his cabinet and caucus colleagues.

“For me, even though it has been a short time in the seat of power -- it’s been a valuable and useful experience.”

Even the QR Sir Apenera Short got his two cents in and said after the swearing-in of Dr Maoate and his team, that he hoped it would be the last for the current term of parliament.

Well it certainly wasn’t the last time that incoming ministers would go through Government House at Turoa during the 1999-2004 term. Norman George was to get his marching orders in 2001 and then Dr Maoate got dumped by his own deputy Dr Robert Woonton in early 2002.

After Dr Williams dumping in November 1999, he warned that political unity is inevitable whether one likes it or not, and that it would lead to a new system of government in the Cook Islands in the future.

Over a decade later, it seems that nothing has really changed.

An instalment of hanging images of the banyan tree greets show goers into the National Museum. 10010816

The Banyan Tree art exhibition is a visual marvel and thought-provoking show which opened in the Cook Islands on Thursday night.

The travelling art exhibition inspired by the banyan tree combines video footage, photography, sculptures and paintings to express the significance of the tree to different cultures all over world.

Local art enthusiasts, artists and members of the general public gathered at the National Museum for the opening of the exhibition which has travelled the world.

Creator and curator of the show Alfred Banze and Christine Falk from Germany were on hand to give in-depth explanations on the exhibited pieces so as to give those present a better understanding of the creative process involved in each piece.

Among the pieces on show were paintings created by local artists Mahiriki Tangaroa and New Zealand based artist Mereana Hutchinson.

Tangaroa also helped show goers understand some of the works on display.

Yesterday, Banze and Falk held another presentation to shed further light on the travelling art show and its works.

Starting Monday, workshops for young and established artists will begin.

The exhibition will remain on show at the National Museum in Tupapa until January 22 before it returns back to Germany and then on to China.

If you haven’t seen the show, you still have two weeks to check it out or join the upcoming workshops.

For more information on the workshops contact 77571.

• Matariki Wilson

The 2009 Pacific Mini Games was filled with many memorable moments with the 15 medals won by the Cook Islands the highlight of the games for the host nation. Those involved in the games, whether as a volunteer, an athlete or official, will have their own memorable moments. Cook Islands News has gone back through our Pacific Mini Games archive of photos and stories to bring you our top 10 mini games ‘memorable moments.’

1 The gold medals won by young athletes Kairangi Vano, Elmay Viking and Helema Williams easily stand out as the number one moment from the games as all three teenagers ended the games with double gold medals.

Vano won double gold in tennis not only earning her the honour of carrying the national flag at the closing of the games but the New Zealand based star graces the cover of the new 2010 Telecom Cook Islands directory.

Teenager golfer Elmay Viking, dubbed the Cook Islands ‘Tiger Woods’, also won a double gold at the mini games with a gold coming from the women’s individual division and women’s team division.

Sailing sensation Helema Williams blew everyone away in the mini games sailing competition in Aitutaki to clean sweep the women’s laser division to take gold and combined with fellow sailor Teau McKenzie won the team’s racing gold medal.

2 Sprinters from Fiji showed local athletes just how to perform on the new synthetic track at the BCI stadium snatching the majority of the medals from the track events.

In fact, Fiji sprinters achieved a clean sweep in the men’s and women’s 200m events with the teams standout runner being Niko Verekauta dubbed the gentle giant.

The gentle giant also set a new record in the 200m race shaving .03 seconds off the 12-year-old record of 21.36 seconds for a new record of 21.33 seconds.

Fellow compatriot Banuve Tabakaucoro and Tevita Nalovo settled for silver and bronze medals respectively.

In the women’s 200m dash, sprint Fiji queen Makelesi Bulikiobo showed her winning style after clocking 24.52s to win gold.

Fellow Fiji athletes Paulini Korowaqa clocked 25.07s to win the silver medal and Anameli Nakukitu managed bronze in a time of 25.33s.

3 Touch rugby was one of the stand out team sports of the games with the code bringing home two gold medals and a silver.

It was heartbreaking stuff for the local women’s team who missed out on the gold medal in a tough final against a pumped Samoa side who won the finals match by just one point (4-3).

But the local girls finally earned their ‘golden girls’ title when they combined their skills with their male counterparts to take out the mixed division gold medal after defeating a tenacious Fiji side in nail-biting drop-off tie breaker.

The gold medal was the second to be won by the local men who made a bee line for the gold medal, with little opposition, in the men’s division.

In fact the men’s team won every single game they played including the all important gold medal finals against Fiji 9-4.

4 The Rarotonga Bowling Club hosted a magnificent competition closing ceremony to honour all the mini games bowls medal winners.

And of course our local mama and papa medallists partied the hardest.

You would be too if your team won a total of seven medals – gold in the ladies pairs (Mou Tokorangi and skip Kanny Vaile), ladies triples (Ngatungane Tere, Matauri Raeputa and Teokotai Jim), ladies fours (Kanny Vaile, Matauri Raeputa, Mou Tokorangi and Teokotai Jim) and a final gold in the men’s singles thanks to David Akaruru.

The team’s silver medal came from Nelson Akava and David Akaruru in the men’s pairs while the two bronze medals were won by ladies singles player Ngatungane Tere and the men’s fours team of Nelson Akava, teenager Lawrence Panini, Vaine Henry and Dennis Tokorangi.

Flags flew, anthems rang out and cheering brought the house down at the presentation of medals which was said to be one of the best medals ceremonies ever seen - not just according to local players but also visiting players and officials.

5 Solomon Islands pint sized sprinter Betty Babalu was the tiniest athlete on the tracks but the 12-year-old won the gold medal in the women’s 5000m race and the hearts of many.

The tiny primary school printer clocked 20 minutes 10.29 seconds to win the race ahead of Fiji’s Sereima Liku.

After the race Babalu said that she had achieved her dreams and realised her potential to compete in major events.

Babalu will be well remembered by the Solomon Islands host school Takitumu Primary School as the youngster had the honour of planting a tiare Maori plant on the school grounds as a remembrance of their stay in the Cook Islands. But the mini star didn’t escape controversy as issues were raised about her participation in long distance event after the youngster took to the tracks again for the endurance 10,000m race in which she won silver.

Nevertheless Babalu will be remembered as the little girl with the fast feet and big heart.

6 The tsunami surges that struck the Cook Islands caused a bit of chaos smack bang in the middle of the games.

But the panic was nothing compared to the loss of life and property experienced by Samoa, Tonga and American Samoa.

The games went on and the generosity of the Pacific people came to the fore with donations of cash and gifts of food shared with the Tongan, American Samoa and Samoa mini games team.

A number of athletes here on the island lost families and friends in the disaster and while some athletes returned home early to help with the recovery relief, most stayed on to finish the games with the Samoa sevens squad using their pain to win gold.

The team proved that passion can beat skills and class when they stormed the favoured Fijian outfit to take out the final gold medal of the mini games. - (Continued on page 12)

7 The medal presentation ceremonies were considered the best ever seen in the mini games history and warmed the hearts of all involved.

Ei galore and pulsating Cook Islands drumbeats certainly made the difference at the medal presentations thanks to the ei making mama and young women from the Girl Guides uniformed organisation.

The flowers for the thousand plus head ei made for each medal winner and dignitary were supplied by the six Girl Guide companies on the island.

In total, 36 girl guide members presented the ei and medals during the games.

8 Not to keep rubbing salt in the wound, but the two 19-year-old netballers that never ran out on court is not easy to forget.

Odile Pauka and Mariana Ngaputa were standout players for their Avatiu club during the 2009 season and making the national team was a dream come true for the two youngsters.

They worked hard and committed themselves to their training but spent the mini games netball campaign warming the bench.

And the duo never said a bad word about the event – but their supporters had a thing or two to say to the managers and coach.

The pair also had the brightest smiles on when they along with their team received their bronze medal in the competition.

9 The somewhat ‘rebellious’ rugby league had a humorous run to their silver medal in the games.

The side ended up dead last on the first day of the four team competition after losing two matches and a draw.

But according to the team management it was all part of the plan.

The team then opened up on the second and final day of the competition to get into the gold medal play off against Fiji who smashed the side 20-12 but were thrilled to take the silver medal.

10 Apii Napa was one of the inspirational athletes at the games putting her body and mind on the line in the gruelling triathlon event.

She wasn’t the fastest or fittest but she had bucket loads of enthusiasm and drive which saw her finish the race in a personal best time of three hours four minutes and 29 seconds.

Napa had a huge team of supporters that cheered her on through the pain but as she rounded the corner for the final few hundred metres to the finish line with flag in hand – everyone on the finish line was in awe of her tremendous effort.

She is certainly a role model for women everywhere and the sport of triathlon.

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Tennis queen and double gold medallist Kairangi Vano on the podium and now on the cover of the 2010 phone directory. 09100193

 

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Cook Islands ‘Tiger Woods’ Elmay Viking gets a kiss from her team mates Maara Kenning (left) and Alice Pilkington. 09100287

 

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Women touch rugby players celebrate their gold medal in the mixed division. 09092954

 

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David Akaruru dances his way to the bowl podium in what was a thrilling wrap up ceremony for the event. 09100144

 

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Mini track star Betty Babalu planted a tiare Maori tree to remember her visit to Rarotonga. 09092015

 

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The tsunami surge that drained the Avarua harbour caused panic on the island right in the middle of the mini games. 09092943

 

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League player Clive Nicholas and the league squad were thrilled with their silver medal at the mini games despite being dead last on the first day of the competition. 09092934

 

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Talented netballers Mariana Ngaputa (left) and Odile Pauka with their precious bronze medal. 09092715

 

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Apii Napa was one of the inspirational athletes of the mini games showing grit and determination to complete the gruelling triathlon course. 09093064

 

Tamariki Tumeke! Cousins Mele Poaru, Heinarii Tauira and Kayva Tauira in full cultural costume during one of their fund raising performances. 10010827

When the Nicholas and Tauira family gathered for their traditional festive season camp – keeping the kids entertained and happy was a priority.

For the kids, the best part of the camp was hanging out with the cousins and getting up to mischief.

This week’s kid’s page photos are of the fun times had by the next generation of dancers and athletes from the Nicholas and Tauira clan.

The next family gathering will be a tour to Australia this coming April with the clan, including the kiddies, spending most of 2009 cutting grass and dancing to raise funds for the trip.

• Matariki Wilson

The clan makes a special stop at the Nicholas family graveyard in Avana to visit the graves of their grandmother and great-grandmothers Pipira, Apiti and Mom Nicholas. 10010806

First cousins Tu-Te-Maeva Poaru (bottom), Brianna Tauira and Tepuni Tauira pose for a photo with Avarua harbour in the background after hiking up Maungatea as part of the Nicholas and Tauira family trek. 10010807

Healthy family fun was the theme of the Nicholas and Tauira families’ festive season camp over the Christmas and New Year period.

Around 20 members of the family gathered for their annual camp, held this time at the Avatiu sports clubhouse with numerous fun activities planned to encourage the bond between the family members.

The camping family members were made up of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of local songstresses, the late Pipira Nicholas, Apiti Nicholas and Mom Nicholas, commonly known as the ‘Jandal Sisters’.

Through the Christmas period the family hit the sports field for games of touch rugby, netball, soccer, table tennis and a night of karaoke singing which went on to the early hours of the morning.

The clan also attended the Christmas and New Year services at the St Joseph’s Cathedral in Avarua.

On New Year’s day while many were recovering from a big night of celebrations, the Nicholas and Tauira clan donned their wigs and glasses for a cycling expedition around Rarotonga.

From Avatiu, the riders headed towards Tupapa making a stop at the Nicholas family burial grounds in Avana to visit the graves of their beloved grandmothers Pipira, Apiti and Mom Nicholas.

The family took three hours to cycle around the island with a pick-up truck following the group carrying the smaller babes of the family.

And to stretch their legs a bit more, the group set out for a mountain hiking expedition to Maungatea in the Takuvaine valley the day after New Year’s.

The adventure took the family on a three-hour trek to the summit of the mountain where the clan hoisted a flag which will hopefully be replaced by a proper Nicholas and Tauira family flag on future treks.

The family had so much fun in each other’s company that no one wanted to return home after the two-week camp.

But the family have another get-together just around the corner as they prepare for a trip to Australia in April.

The family spent the best part of 2009 raising funds through working bees plus performing cultural shows as the Tamariki Tumeke to raise the funds for their much awaited trip.

Thank to you Tangi Tauira, the grand-daughter of Pipira Nicholas, for sharing her family’s story and for supplying the photos.

• Matariki Wilson

Hiking up to the Needle was one of the highlights of the Akanoa reunion. 10011014

The Akanoa family reunion concluded on New Year’s day after a week of genealogy sessions, fun and activities.

The 70-plus participants camped at the local school, and started off the reunion with attendance at the Arorangi Cook Islands Christian Church on Sunday, December 27.

From then on it was about introducing everyone to each other, and ensuring that the participants were occupied throughout the week.

The days always started off with devotion and exercise conducted by the different groups within the camp. The highlights of the week-long reunion included a hike across the island, an aquatic sports day at Muri, a bus ride, cultural activities which featured Piri Puruto’s fire-making act, weaving, sewing ei, a talent show and games for the youngsters.

Those at the reunion are descendants of Akanoa Daniel and Maria Heather. The couple had 10 children – four who are still living today: Richard Akanoa, Daniel Akanoa, Mii Kermode and William Akanoa.

The reunion was attended by family members from Rarotonga, New Zealand, Australia and Hawaii.

It was decided that the next reunion – the sixth – should be staged again in Rarotonga, in 2012.

• Moana Moeka’a