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Cyclone alert!
PM invites submissions on reform
Nisha still a threat
Trader Jack awaits Nisha
Toa payments ‘top secret’
New plan for Sheraton property
ON THE STREET
‘Come clean’
New storm hits north
Wing man
Cyclone Oli passes through 2 ships wait
Wilkie seeks ‘true facts’
No early deals
Porter grocery business still under wraps
Tourism people want Crocombe to explain new marketing group
Public views wanted on new labour law
Cyclone alert!
Thu
28 Jan
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The position of tropical cyclone Nisha up to 5pm last night cyclone-map-28-Jan
cyclone-map-28-Jan
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The Metrological Service is closely monitoring a cyclone that is moving towards the southern parts of the Cook Islands.
Yesterday at 5pm tropical cyclone Nisha, with 35 to 40 knot winds (64 to 74kph), was situated about 225 nautical miles (416km) to the west of Palmerston. The cyclone was expected to gradually turn east and intensify.
“Based on this movement there is high chance of it moving closer to the southern Cooks within the next 24 hours,” said senior met service officer Maara Vaiiimene.
According to special weather bulletin two, if the cyclone takes this easterly track, Nisha was expected to lie about 130 nautical miles (240km) to the west-southwest of Palmerston or 335 nautical miles to the west-northwest of Rarotonga at 5am this morning.
Yesterday at 5am, the tropical depression (10P) over Samoa was upgraded to a tropical cyclone and was moving in a south-easterly direction at 20 kilometres per hour.
An alert was issued for the Cook Islands from the Nadi tropical cyclone centre in Fiji at midday stating Nisha was 340 nautical miles (629km) west-northwest of Palmerston and 590 nautical miles (1092km) west-northwest of Rarotonga.
Maximum wind speeds close to the centre were 35 knots (70kph) moving southeast at 10 knots (20kph), Vaiimene said.
American Samoa had already felt Nisha’s presence by 1pm as strong winds and heavy rains battered parts of the territory, Radio New Zealand International reported.
The cyclone came within 144 kilometres southeast of Tutuila with winds remained at 70kph.
The country’s department of homeland security said flooding and landslide warnings had been issued and teams were sent out to assist many still living in tents after last year’s tsunami.
“Those living in houses [we advise] to stay indoors and to not drive if they don’t need to,” deputy director Jacinta Brown told RNZI.
“A lot of the schools are closed for public and private. And those living in tents, the reason why our teams are out there is to make sure that the tents are tied down properly, to make sure that the folks don’t get harmed in the course of that.”
As of 2pm, Nisha was located at 17.2 south and 167.2 west of the tracking map with winds still at 64kph and gusts up to 74kph.
The US Naval Research Laboratory released a forecast map predicting Nisha’s path tracking east right through the Southern group.
Vaiimene said based on the current movement there were three scenarios
“If Nisha continues on an easterly track it will pass very close to Palmerston and Aitutaki but pass over [to the north of] Rarotonga,” he said.
“If it continues south easterly it will pass very close to Rarotonga and if it continues on a southerly track it will pass Rarotonga, to the west.
“However people must be aware these are only scenarios based on possible movement and the best option is be prepared for all of them.”
The Cook Islands Metservice is continually posting bulletins every six hours while it remains at alert stage. Vaiimene said the best option for people to assess the situation and avoid confusion is to call them.
“The information on the internet is very technical so we advise people to ring us so we can explain the situation,” he said.
Cook Islands met service website is www.cookislands.pacificweather.org
Follow the link ‘SWB-Southern Cook Is’ for the tropical cyclone updates.
PM invites submissions on reform
Thu
28 Jan
Prime minister Jim Marurai says his office will accept written views on political reform from any person or party leading up to his planned public conference on the issue.
In a statement yesterday, Marurai said written submissions from any interested person or party can be made in advance of the conference. There will be a public notice issued this week on the procedure for how to send in written submissions to the PM.
Marurai hopes to hold the conference early next month as a forum where the public can hear more about the proposed political reform and also ask questions and share views.
The PM said he wants to emphasise his desire for public debate the issue to better inform his political reform team on the views of the nation.
This month Marurai appointed reform advocates Tata Crocombe, chair of the economic development taskforce, and Iaveta Short, chair of the 1998 committee of political review to come up with a proposal on political reform.
Last week Marurai released the 12 reform options which Crocombe and Short have suggested.
Marurai says he has simply ‘opened a door of opportunity’ for public debate on a range of options for political reform -- although the MPs will ultimately decide the fate of these proposed ideas because of the necessity for a law change.
“However, that does not prevent the public from exercising their right of opinion through the various avenues available to them,” says the statement.
The PM claims the current process would have been launched in October 2007 but the previous cabinet refused to engage the initiative.
The original plan – backed up by the Democratic Party Manifesto of 2006 – asked the former cabinet to support a progressive approach of consultations on ‘Political Reform: A Way Forward’.
To assist renewed public debate, the PM says he will encourage Short and Crocombe to pursue public consultations around the vaka of Rarotonga.
Radio programmes for broader national reach, especially to the isolated northern group islands, are also being planned.
The PM says any member of the public that want to express their view on political reform and the proposed options he is promoting can do so in writing – these submissions would be accepted by the office of the prime minister and directed to Short and Crocombe who will chair the public conference.
Bigger talent pool for cabinet – page 8
Nisha still a threat
Fri
29 Jan
Tropical cyclone Nisha could approach Rarotonga within the next 24 to 48 hours, after slowing down yesterday.
Senior meteorological service officer Maara Vaiimene said Nisha will continue to head in a south or south easterly direction but today will prove critical in determining which path it chooses.
As of 5.30pm yesterday, Nisha had a wind speed of 40 knots (74kph) with gust to 65 knots (120kph). It was situated 20.2 south and 163.8 west on the tracking map. Moving at 10 knots it was expected to slow down and gradually turn east.
“It’s a sure thing that the cyclone will be approaching us but the question is when – our best estimate, based on the south easterly winds, is it should be approaching us from the west either Friday (today) or Saturday.”
Vaiimene was speaking at a meeting held yesterday between police, emergency services, maritime police and several other agencies.
“There has not been much change in the last 12 hours, both in terms of movement and in the intensity, but nevertheless centre winds still remain at 35 to 40 knots (64 to 74kph), gusting at 60 knots (111kph).”
The Fiji met service released a forecast map which along with the US Naval Research Laboratory’s predicted Nisha travelling further east close to Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
The US navy forecast at 6pm yesterday predicted Nisha will be at its closest 16 nautical miles (29.6km) north of Rarotonga at about 1pm today, with sustained winds of 45 knots gusting to 55.
The closest the cyclone has come to one of the islands was 200 kilometres to the south-east of Palmerston on Wednesday night, causing high swell conditions and heavy rain.
Joseph Marsters of Palmerston told CINews they were well prepared and received plenty of warning to tie down their property.
“It wasn’t all that bad – from around 3.30pm to 8am winds were around 45 to 60 knots,” Marsters said.
“We had heavy rain and the sea swell came up around 35 metres but overall there was no major damage.
“We began getting prepared early yesterday [Wednesday] when we knew it was going to hit.”
Condititons vastly improved yesterday afternoon.
“It’s getting better every minute we have north-north-west winds around 25 to 30 knots, the skies are clearing and the sun is peeking through,” Marsters said.
As of 2.35pm yesterday, Nisha was located 20.1 south and 164 west on the tracking map with winds close to the centre at 40 knots gusting to 65 knots.
It was moving at 11 knots but was expected to slow down further and gradually turn east.
“When tropical cyclones start to slow down, especially to 10 knots or under, it becomes a concern as it gives more time to develop intensity,” Vaiimene said.
“However, the cyclone is sitting at 20 degrees latitude and the sea surface temperature is below 27 degrees, so it’s unlikely to intensify to a category 2 or 3 as its entering colder water.
“Between 8am to 11am [Friday], we estimate an increase in wind strength here of around 35 to 40 knots, reaching gale force winds. Today’s [Thursday] winds were around 20 knots with gusts up to 30.”
Vaiimene said they will also be watching the sea conditions as a king high tide will be taking place today.
Cyclone bulletins will be released every three hours with updates continually given to the radio stations.
“We had lots of phone inquiries and we’ve been telling people to be prepared – don’t wait until tomorrow, but be ready now.”
The Cook Islands met service website is also updated every three hours at www.cookislands.pacificweather.org
For the latest warning, follow the link ‘SWB-Southern Cook Is’.
Trader Jack awaits Nisha
Fri
29 Jan
As local businesses boarded up yesterday and got ready for cyclone Nisha, Trader Jack was quietly sitting at his Avarua harbour bar sipping on a gin and watching the waves and clouds roll in.
Jack Cooper knows more than most the devastation of a cyclone having rebuilt his harbour side restaurant and bar three times since it was established in January 1987 and then destroyed six months later by cyclone Sally.
The current rebuilt and refurbished Traders opened in August 2005 after being trashed by cyclone Meena in February 2005.
So it was no surprise to see Cooper sitting in his bar with a gin in one hand a weather bulletin in the other.
Since the 2005 cyclones, Cooper has installed a state of the art hydraulic bar known as the Vaka Bar which can be loaded on to a truck and taken to higher ground.
But Cooper had no plans to remove himself or the bar from Avarua harbour yesterday.
In fact, the plan was to keep the bar open while staff stored away booze and equipment from the building.
The only thing that was removed from the property was the newly installed wheelchair lift.
“One can never be fully prepared,” said Cooper, “because cyclones are like women – they always change their minds.”
Cooper said he wasn’t expecting too much damage from the cyclone which had been forecast to be no more than a category three storm.
However, he did say he had several different plans at the ready in case of changes to the forecast at any time.
“We’ll empty out the Vaka Bar but I think upstairs will be alright.”
“There is a spring tide in the morning that I’m not too sure about.”
Cooper then returned to sipping his gin and watching the weather.
Toa payments ‘top secret’
Sat
30 Jan
Outcry expected over undisclosed guarantee
A new outcry and legal action are brewing over ‘top secret’ costs still not revealed in the Toagate scandal.
Prime minister Jim Marurai continues to claim he does not know when and how the $1.75 million settlement that government made with fuel company Toa Petroleum is due to be paid.
The details remain a secret while the leader of the nation declares he is unaware of what agreement was made for payment of the funds.
The majority of unofficial reports are that Toa must be paid by March. It is understood Triad was supposed to be paid out the $55,000 plus VAT last month when the out of court settlement was made but is still waiting.
“We haven’t appropriated it yet, so we can’t pay it anyway,” says Marurai of the settlement amounts.
A budget declaring the payments must be tabled and passed in parliament for the funds to be paid he says.
But Marurai has hinted that Toa Petroleum is no longer happy with the settlement saying finance minister Wilkie Rasmussen has been talking to the company’s legal advisors following fresh threats of a lawsuit against government.
New rumours about the settlement include government agreeing to additionally guarantee Toa Petroleum’s profit to the tune of $1.2 million annually for eight years.
For three weeks CINews has made repeated requests to financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti and finance minister Wilkie Rasmussen for details on the settlement payments to be made
to Toa Petroleum and Triad Pacific Petroleum.
Neither has responded to the questions, although this week Rasmussen indicated to CINews that he may soon grant our ongoing request for an interview to discuss the Toa settlement and other public concerns over the country’s finances.
Marurai seems to be in no hurry to demand the information which the public has a right to know, despite his earlier claims that his new cabinet will endeavour to be more open and transparent.
At a press conference he held yesterday, he still seemed unfazed by mounting public concern at the lack of answers to questions put to him on Toagate.
“I intend to have a commission of inquiry into this whole Toagate fiasco, but we are restricted by costs,” was his only comment.
On whether he feels responsible for the Toagate ‘fiasco’, the PM stated other than the former finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate, cabinet was unaware of just how far the original deal to buy Toa Petroleum for $5.16 million had gone until it was too late.
“We went along with it (the fuel farm scheme). We froze the whole thing last February but by that time the agreement (to purchase Toa) had already been signed in December, really,
we didn’t know what was happening.
“The claim was that the negotiation (of the purchase agreement) was confidential, but cabinet should have been made aware of the agreement before it was made,” he says.
CINews discovered yesterday that even the officials investigating the fuel farm scandal have no information on the
Toa settlement other than the Kit Toogood report of December 22.
Director of audit Paul Allsworth confirmed his office has requested the information but has yet to receive anything.
The audit office has been tasked with carrying out an extensive investigation into the fuel farm scandal since the project began two years ago.
The office expects to produce a report by late next month or early March – already extending the investigation by several weeks because of the sheer amount of information it now has to process.
It is understood around 30 people will be interviewed including financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti, solicitor general Tingika Elikana, former finance minister Sir Terepai Maoate, former ministers Ngamau Munokoa, Tangata Vavia and Kete Ioane and the PM.
New plan for Sheraton property
Sat
30 Jan
Mirage Group asks for developer concessions
New developers are in the wings saying they want to develop the famous ‘Sheraton’ ruins in Vaimaanga.
New Zealand based development company Mirage Group Ltd hopes to complete the construction of the ill-fated Sheraton – which amounts to a complex of derelict buildings on the ten-hectare Vaimaanga property owned by Takitumu paramount chief Pa Marie Ariki.
Prime minister Jim Marurai says the latest investors interested in the controversial property made a presentation to cabinet on Tuesday. He says cabinet has agreed to have government to fast-track several investment processes for the company including the Business Trade Investment Board foreign investor’s approval, the leases approval tribunal process, and the environmental impact assessment for the new development.
Pa Ariki terminated the previous lease on the property last September after local developer Tim Tepaki’s joint venture redevelopment plans fell over and she was no longer being paid fees owed to her.
The joint venture with NZ businessman Dan McEwan held the lease for three years but serious financial problems soon saw McEwan declared bankrupt last year and Tepaki has also battled with large debts locally and in New Zealand.
Marurai says Mirage Group, which he understands is based in New Zealand, has been responsible for several well-known NZ developments including some at Auckland’s Viaduct Basin.
He says the company wants to complete the current buildings on the property in stages and then look to carry out further developments on the large property afterwards.
There was no mention of how much the company will invest in the project and where it would obtain its funding. Marurai says the company wants government to expedite applications for foreign labour work permits on the hotel project. He says they have not indicated who would redevelop the property – only that 200 jobs would ‘be available’ during construction.
He says Mirage Group has claimed that the hotel would create 200 jobs once it opened.
CINews asked Marurai if there was such scant detail given in the proposal, why had cabinet agreed to help the company get the development underway faster.
“It’s in our interest to fast track the process,” is all he would say.
Pa Ariki has asked that all questions regarding potential investors in her property be directed to her lawyer Tim Arnold.
ON THE STREET
Sat
30 Jan
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Matina Tangimama
Either watch a movie, do some sewing or eat – soup is always nice when it’s raining.
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Uri Manuela
Stay home and watch a movie.
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Kiki Bishop
I like playing my Xbox and watching TV.
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Sylvia Bird
Sometimes I ride in the rain or I’ll read – I just try and find something to do.
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Sheik Shah
I like playing mini golf because it’s all weather proof.
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Dorit Rahn
I enjoy shopping, reading and sleeping.
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Eliu Eliu
I go outside and have a shower because the water is a lot cleaner than what’s in our system.
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Tai Herman
I keep on working, on anything that keeps me busy.
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What’s your favourite wet weather activity?
‘Come clean’
Mon
1 Feb
CIP demands answers on secret Toagate deal
The Cook Islands Party is stunned and alarmed at the latest revelations in the Toagate debacle.
“The startling new allegation that the agreement with Toa Petroleum includes a guarantee of $1.2m profit for the next eight years is a scandalous burden that the taxpayer is expected to carry,” party leader Henry Puna said yesterday.
“The current minority Democratic Party government must come clean and divulge the full details of the secret agreement with Toa Petroleum. In fact, we challenge the current Minister of Finance to do so immediately since he has been vocal all along about his innocence and lack of complicity in this nightmare.
“Are there other payments or commitments in the secret agreement that have not been fully divulged?”
Puna told CINews it was an outrageous state of affairs that the prime minister and his cabinet can claim to be ignorant of the full details of the agreement.
“It is difficult to determine what is more appalling: the implication that the PM and cabinet were kept in the dark and thereby not being able to make fully informed decisions, or the ineffectiveness of the PM and cabinet in their ability to demand the relevant facts.
“Either way it appears that we the poor taxpayers of this country will be dragged into protracted court cases and end up having to pay more costs for further legal actions if cabinet fails to meet the court ordered settlement to Toa Petroleum.”
Puna said CIP demands immediate, full and public disclosure from the PM and the Minister of Finance on the terms of the agreement that was reached last year.
“There can be no excuses for failing to do this. This is the people’s money that is being wasted. The people have a right to know the full details where their money is going and why.
“Further, the parties and individuals responsible for this state of affairs must be held accountable for their actions or their failure to act that has led the country into this abysmal mess.
“The integrity of the Audit Report has been put at risk because of the unavailability of full documentation to the investigating officers. In any event, this cannot be made public until it has been tabled in parliament. We all know that the current minority government is unwilling to entertain such an option, that is, call parliament to sit. The best option now therefore is for the PM and or the Minister of Finance to give a full disclosure to the public of all the sordid details of this unfortunate saga.
“But the Cook Islands Party sees this as just a first, interim step. We believe that the proper forum to fully investigate and report on this sad mess is a Royal Commission of Inquiry, and we urge the prime minister and his minority government to move towards such an eventuality.
“The taxpayers of this country deserve to know, in an open and transparent manner, what the true position is in terms of our collective liabilities under this huge failure, and precisely who got us all into this mess.”
New storm hits north
Mon
1 Feb
A tropical depression had Pukapuka, Nassau and Suwarrow on alert for a cyclone yesterday.
By yesterday afternoon police had re-opened their emergency response operation centre – just days after the threat of cyclone Nisha passed – to monitor and update the Northern islands on tropical depression 07F.
The Fiji Meteorological Service released the first bulletin at 12pm locating the depression at 11.5 south and 167.8 west on the tracking map – about 120 nautical miles (222 kilometres) west-southwest of Pukapuka or about 290 nautical miles (537km) west-northwest of Suwarrow.
The depression was moving east at 15 knots (28km) and was expected to intensify. At 2pm, it was situated at 11.4 south and 167.0 west. At 6pm, the met service said it was located 35 nautical miles from Pukapuka at 11.4 south and 166.1 west, moving at 18 knots easterly.
Inspector John Strickland said they recalled officers to the station just after the first alert was released and made calls to the northern Cooks to assess their situation.
“We will remain in close contact with them on an hourly basis,’ he said.
As of 3.30pm, police said Pukapuka was experiencing 20-30 knot winds, moderate seas and light showers.
Nassau reported winds of 25-30 knots winds, rough seas and rain while Penhryn had a sea swell of 5 metres and 25 knot winds gusting to around 40 knots.
The Fiji met service warned that rain will become heavy and frequent with squally thunderstorms for the three islands.
Acting director of Cook Islands met service Maara Vaiimene said winds close to the centre of the depression were 30-35 knots gusting to 40 knots.
“At the moment it is hard to say if it will develop into a tropical cyclone but based on reports Fiji have been receiving, there is a high chance as early as tomorrow morning (this morning),” Vaiimene said.
While the warnings were still at an alert stage, updates from Fiji were given every six hours.
Vaiimene said they’ve been monitoring depression 07F since last Friday when it formed north-west of Samoa.
“We had reports and calls from people in Pukapuka, Manihiki and Nassau of the weather they were experiencing and had a strong wind warning until 11 o’clock this morning,” he said.
“We alerted Fiji and by midday they came back and issued a special weather alert bulletin.”
Updates are available on the Cook Islands met service website at www.cookislands.pacificweather.org and by following the link ‘SWB – Northern Cook Is.’ Police officers are also on hand to provide information on 22261, 22262 or 22263.
Wing man
Mon
1 Feb
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Kitesurfer Pauro Arnold
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Local kitesurfer Pauro Arnold just couldn’t wait to rig up and hit the high winds and choppy waves on Muri lagoon, with winds up to 28 knots making for a spectacular day of high speed action on Saturday.
Cyclone Oli passes through 2 ships wait
Tue
2 Feb
ANOTHER cyclone travelled through the Cook Islands yes¬terday.
The tropical depression had been monitored since last Friday and was officially named tropi¬cal cyclone Oli early yesterday morning. By the afternoon it had passed through the northern group and was heading towards the southern islands.
Acting Cook Islands met service director Maara Vaiimene said Oli came within 35 nautical miles (64 kilometres) of Puka¬puka on Sunday afternoon.
“Reports were they experi¬enced north westerly winds of 35 to 40 knots (65 to 74 km/h) with gusts of 50 knots (92km/h),” Vai¬imene said.
“They also had heavy rain and high seas with water com¬ing close to the roads.”
Oli passed Suwarrow at 40 nautical miles at 2am. For safety reasons, the island’s caretaker was evacuated at the start of the cyclone season in November.
Reports made on Sunday to the police emergency operation centre said Manihiki had grad¬ual flooding around the school area in Tukao.
Penhryn also reported roof damage at Tetautua atoll to a home and a pearl seeding house on the wharf area. Waves also washed over the roads at low ly¬ing areas.
At 12pm yesterday, the tropi¬cal cyclone warning for the northern islands was down¬graded to a strong wind warning while the southern Cooks was placed on alert. Oli was raised to a category 2 as the central pres¬sure decreased and wind speeds close to the centre had risen to 50 knots with gusts to 80 knots (148.16km/h).
At 2pm, it was located 15.1 south and 161 west on the track¬ing map and moving south east at 17 knots (31.4km/h).
“It is expected to maintain in the south easterly direction and on this track it is predicted to pass 100 to 120 nautical miles (185 to 222km) north east of Aitutaki and Ngaputoru from tomorrow (Tuesday) morning,” Vaiimene said.
“There is a high possibility that the alert will be upgraded to a warning early tomorrow morning as the cyclone gets closer and more confirmed re¬ports are received.”
Bulletins were being released every six hours while the south¬ern Cooks were still on alert.
Vaiimene said at this stage they were only monitoring one cyclone in the Cook Islands re¬gion but were keeping a close eye on a low pressure system that has developed north of Samoa.
“Since I think the public are becoming more aware, phone calls to the met office have eased,” he said. “But we always encourage those to still contact us or the police emergency op¬eration centre if they have any questions regarding the bulletins.”
People may also record Oli’s path by picking up a free cy¬clone tracking map, similar to the one in the phone book, at the met service office in Nikao. Updates are regularly posted on their website, www.cookislands. pacificweather.org at the ‘SWB-Southern Cook Is’ link.
Police are available for any cy¬clone updates and the situation in the outer islands on 22261, 22262 or 22263. - DK
The US Navy Research Laboratory released this forecast map of tropical cyclone Oli moving south-east between Rarotonga and Tahiti.
STRONG south easterlies and a current running across the Avatiu wharf entrance have prevented two cargo ships from entering the harbour.
Harbourmaster John Fallon says the Forum Avarua has been offshore since Saturday and the Southern Phoenix has also had to wait.
“I guess we will have to wait until the wind drops – it’s too dangerous to enter the har¬bour.”
Wind gusts got up to 50 knots at times at the weekend and Fallon says the problem hasn’t been helped by a strong current across the entrance.
Both vessels were still off¬shore at 5.30pm yesterday.
Meanwhile transport secre¬tary Aukino Tairea says all three boats servicing the Cooks have provisions in their licences to service Aitutaki.
Tairea was responding to a story last week which said that the Southern Phoenix did not have a licence to operate into Aitutaki.
Tairea said the Southern Phoenix, Thor Pacific which is filling in for the Southern Ex¬press, and Forum Avarua, can all service Aitutaki.
The Southern Express comes back on line in late March, and the Forum Pacific will replace the Forum Avarua and Southern Phoenix, in the new PFL/PDL joint venture. – MM
Wilkie seeks ‘true facts’
Tue
2 Feb
FINANCE minister Wilkie Ras¬mussen yesterday deflected criticism and demands for dis¬closure of secret sums in the Toagate scandal.
He issued a statement to Cook Islands News that did not reveal figures but said the government of today is diligently working its way through the contents of the settlement agreed with Toa Petroleum Limited.
“It is acting in a responsible way so that the true facts and le¬gal issues are addressed proper¬ly,” he said. “It wants the public of the Cook Islands to know clearly what was involved, who the play¬ers are and what the country has been burdened with.
“As minister of finance, I do not want to be drawn into politi¬cal point scoring or into wrong conclusions.This is too serious a matter for it to be superseded by the mischievous claims made by Henry Puna. If he had any sense of self-respect, he should with¬draw his comments implying complicity on my part. The set¬tlement agreement between the government and Toa took place while I was out of cabinet and there is a clear difference from activities before the settlement in which I vigor¬ously opposed.”
Rasmussen said it is not a case of withholding in¬formation because gove rnment i s restrained by the technicalities of laws that protect the confidentiality of agreements between clients and lawyers.
“After all the Toa Fuel settle¬ment that was agreed through mediation was conducted in strict confidence,” he said.
“I can confirm that the prime minister, myself as minister of finance and our colleagues in cabinet, as of the past few days, had no idea of the contents of the settlement agreement. What we have come to know was by way of constant briefing I have had from the audit office as it conducts its investigation into the saga. The Too¬good Report was of course a major source of insight into the whole af¬fair.
“Like everyone else we were all aware of the $1.75 million settlement but there are other matters that have now come to my attention and legal caveats prevent me from making com¬ments about them until due process is carried out.
“I also wish to say that the last thing the government wants is further court cases. It would be prudent of me to wait until after our own government investiga¬tions (one by Audit and one by the Public Service Commission) before further steps, but I am now in consultation with a pri¬vate and independent legal spe¬cialist to assist me in assessing the contents of the agreement and the liability of government.
“I believe I am being responsi¬ble and are taking the right steps by being measured in handling these extremely controversial ac¬tions carried out by the previous minister of finance.
“I have been briefing the prime minister and cabinet of information that comes to me and his recent comments in the media reflect a staggered proc¬ess where the government under the auspice of Sir Terepai Maoate entered into events that have cat¬apulted the Cook Islands into a scandal of huge magnitude.” - Media Release
No early deals
Tue
2 Feb
GOVERNMENT will not work to an ‘Endeavour pressured’ timetable in setting up the new seabed minerals authority, ac¬cording to prime minister Jim Marurai’s office.
Marurai, acting mineral and natural resource minister, held a meeting with key government officials yesterday to plan the set up of the seabed minerals authority.
To discuss the issue, he and finance minister Wilkie Ras¬mussen met with what is called the central agencies committee – essentially financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti, public service commissioner Navy Epati, so¬licitor general Tingika Elikana and OPM chief of staff Mac Mokoroa.
According to Marurai’s office, there has been extra pressure in recent weeks by Endeavour Mining Capital representatives such as Richard Barton for gov¬ernment to fast-track the set up and framework for the recently passed seabed minerals bill.
The prime minister is expect¬ed to release a statement later this week about what timeframe and costs may be involved in set¬ting up the new authority.
The PM’s office stresses gov¬ernment won’t be pressured into any early deals or commit¬ments until all processes have been managed properly. – HG
Porter grocery business still under wraps
Wed
3 Feb
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Meatco may have closed its doors but Brett Porter’s children intend to open their own grocery business at the old premises.
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Small tourism operators want Tata Crocombe to answer their concerns at what they see as his conflict of interest.
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New grocery upstart linked to Brett Porter
Shareholders in a new grocery company set to open this year at the former Meatco premises are still silent on the venture.
The Cold Store Ltd was formed last July and its shareholders are the children of former Meatco owners Brett and Cavelle Porter, who have already tried to distance themselves from the venture.
Brett Porter saw the collapse of Meatco – his 24-year-old grocery businesses – when grocery group Pacific Distributors Ltd (which included Foodland) crashed in 2008 just a year after its formation, leaving behind a large number of angry creditors.
Porter reportedly signed a restraint of trade agreement with CITC, which purchased Foodland, Meatco and Oasis Energy after the collapse.
This agreement means Porter cannot be directly involved in another grocery business.
The Cold Store Ltd has recently been advertising for staff through one of its directors,
but shareholder Maire Porter
indicated that the company won’t be providing any detail to the public on the new venture yet.
Last June CINews also asked her to comment but she said it was too early to do so.
The Cold Store Ltd directors are Daniel Forsyth, Tia Porter and Ewan Smith on behalf of Winton Porter. Its shareholders are listed as Maire and Daniel Forsyth (300 shares), Tia Porter and Astor Estall (300 shares) and Winton Porter (300 shares) – their shares are worth $1 each under the $900 share capital.
On registration the company declared its business would be as wholesalers, retailers, importers, and exporters of food stuffs, groceries, hardware and all general items.
Tourism people want Crocombe to explain new marketing group
Wed
3 Feb
Tourism board chairman Tata Crocombe may have to reassure the industry that the new destination sales and marketing (DSM) committee he also heads is of value to smaller operators.
The Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council met with members on Monday to discuss the controversial government initiative to appoint the separate marketing committee under the tourism board.
The committee has been tasked with talking closely with the industry and providing marketing advice to the tourism board.
Crocombe, who has been out of the country since last week, will be asked to explain the value of the new committee, following a consensus from Monday’s meeting that more answers need to be sought from the tourism board.
Questions that remain include how the DSM is representative of the industry, what its structure is and the nature of its role.
Despite recent explanations about the role of the DSM, there is ongoing confusion as to how and why the committee was set up in November and whether it will direct the spending of precious marketing dollars.
Vice chair of the council, Stephen Lyon, says the council executive will now raise the questions with Crocombe with the view to invite him to a general meeting within the next few weeks.
Lyon says there was good, open discussion and at least 40 people in attendance on Monday – the largest turnout of members at any general meeting since the body was formed two years ago.
One of the more controversial issues is the value of a DSM-designed marketing campaign which ran in December on which CI Tourism spent around $60,000. It is understood the campaign was based around an airfare deal from Air New Zealand and carried out to encourage more visitors during a perceived ‘off-season.’
CINews asked CI Tourism chief executive officer John Dean if he could provide detail on the campaign since the corporation had provided funding for it. He says questions on the campaign can only really be answered in full by the DSM.
The committee is dominated by large tourism business and accommodation operators and already there is concern that Crocombe’s role represents a conflict of interest given that he operates the country’s largest resort The Rarotongan Beach Resort and Spa.
There is some speculation that the DSM will ‘spend’ new marketing funds to benefit its members’ own large resorts and businesses.
Lyon admitted yesterday that some strong words were expressed about the committee and there had even been opposition by some of the council executives to holding the meeting.
Overall Lyon described the meeting as successful as it gave smaller operators a general understanding of the DSM.
Public views wanted on new labour law
Wed
3 Feb
Public views are being sought on the country’s proposed new labour law this month.
When the bill is passed by parliament, it will introduce rights and obligations for employees and employers in the private sector.
This extends to such provisions as hours of work, wages, rest and meal breaks.
Part of the proposed law sets out provisions for public holidays, sick leave, annual leave, parental leave and special leave.
The 33-page bill also contains procedures for employment disputes and personal grievances. Until now there has only been an outdated CI Industrial Labour Ordinance 1964 to rely on for employment rights with the ministry of internal affairs providing some services to enforce it.
A parliamentary select committee was tasked with reviewing the employment relations bill after it was tabled in parliament last November.
MP Winton Pickering, who chairs the committee, says it met last week and has been briefed on the proposed law by internal affairs secretary Bredina Drollet and internal affairs’ Helen Maunga.
The members of the committee are (new cabinet minister) Apii Piho, Cassey Eggelton, Teina Bishop and Nandi Glassie.
Pickering says all the committee members were present for the meeting and despite the present political situation with the Democratic Party split, the members have every intention of carrying out the work they have been entrusted to do.
“We’ve been elected by parliament to do this so we’ll carry on and do it,” he said yesterday.
He says the committee hopes to meet again in another two weeks.
“I have already received some submissions on the bill. It’s important that we have public consultation on it.”
Committee secretary Tupuna Rakanui can be contacted at parliament or on 54080 for information on how to lodge a submission. Copies of the bill can also be purchased from parliament.
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