COOK ISLANDS NEWS, Saturday 15 March 2014 FRONT PAGE STORIES Four satellites ok for O3b Internet provider 03b is confident in its ability to provide top-notch broadband to the Cook Islands, despite having only four satellites in orbit. Telecom Cook Islands is today officially launching its new high-speed broadband powered by O3b and 3G (Third Generation) mobile network built by Huawei. O3b currently has only four satellites in orbit and has previously been reluctant to launch its service until having eight up. John Turnbull, Director of O3b Pacific, said Telecom’s 03b testing in Rarotonga over the past three months showed the service worked just as well on four satellites as it would on eight. “The testing here went really well and we realised there was no reason we couldn’t turn the service on. It essentially works the same.” He said the Cook Islands’ geographical location means the satellites are never far enough away to affect the quality of broadband. “We’ve realised there are some nations we can do on four.” Turnbull praised the technicians at Telecom Cook Islands, who he said had shown great skill in setting up their on-ground technology. Telecom has transmitters which track one satellite at a time - from horizon to horizon - switching to the next satellite every 90 minutes. When eight satellites are in orbit, the handover will take place every 45 minutes, providing a more robust service. Telecom will be keeping its existing geostationary satellite service in place, in case of any future problems. “The only time we’d switch back is if there was a major fault,” said Telecom’s Sales and Marketing Manager Damien Beddoes. Beddoes said Telecom had “pushed O3B to start testing” and get the service up and running. “The only reason they allowed us to launch is because our local technicians believed we could make it work on four satellites. We were saying ‘We believe we have got the skills to make it work’.” Rarotonga is the first to benefit from 03b and Telecom is hoping to extend the service to the entire Southern Group by the end of this year. - Ben Chapman-Smith OTHER STORIES Official recovers on the job Multiple flights of stairs leading to the top-floor offices of the Finance Ministry hasn’t stopped Tai Nooapii – who’s recovering from a serious motorbike injury – from recently taking up a job offer with the government. After suffering injuries sustained in a motorbike accident last year, Nooapii spent four months at the Spinal Rehabilitation Unit in Auckland, thinking he was going to be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He has since taken on the job of Development Manager with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management’s, where he began working with the Development Coordination Division (DCD) in late December. At DCD, he is taking the lead in rolling out a government programme that provides assistance to households around Rarotonga to repair plumbing issues such as leaky pipes. The programme - part of the Te Mato Vai project - aims to play a part in improving water efficiency. $1 million has been set aside by government for funding, coming from New Zealand’s $15 million contribution towards TMV. The pilot programme has Nooapii working alongside DCD manager Peter Tierney, and their office will soon be providing a concept note on the project to the TMV steering committee. Although Tierney and fellow DCD staff are located on the third floor of MFEM’s Avarua offices, Nooapii – who currently uses mobility aids to help move around – has been given a ground floor office at the Ministry of Culture building in Tupapa. DCD meetings are also held at the culture ministry, which allow him to fully participate. “They’ve given me a year and a half for the spinal cord to come down from the swelling,” he said. Nooapii has a background in civil engineering and has previously worked as a former manager with WATSAN - the water and sanitation division of Infrastructure Cook Islands – where he said he had a good working experience. - ES Minister explains why he has three Govt vehicles Agriculture Minister Kiriau Turepu has explained why he currently has three Government cars in his possession. Earlier this week, a CI News letter writer claimed Turepu, Member of Parliament for Matavera, has three cars parked in front of his Matavera home – a “rundown” Ford single cab pick-up, a brand new Mazda pick up, and a five-door sedan which has since been identified as a Honda Accord. Turepu said the Ford pick-up was originally bought in 2001 and was inherited when he became Associate Minister of Agriculture in 2011. As did the letter writer, he also described the vehicle as “rundown” and at one point paid $2000 to fix it despite his mechanic telling him the chassis was rotten. The Minister said he was hoping to tender out the vehicle, but the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management changed its policies on liquidating assets, which means the vehicle would now be auctioned. The Honda Accord five-door sedan was also an inheritance, the Minister said, and came into his possession after the appointment of Queen’s Representative Tom Marsters – who’s office space was taken up by Turepu when the QR moved to Government House in Titikaveka. He said the vehicle currently has no book value after being fully depreciated and would also like to see it auctioned as soon as possible – all which leads to the Mazda pick up. The truck was acquired last month under his official Ministerial entitlement, he said. In justifying the truck’s ‘four-wheel drive, double cab’ features, he said it wasn’t an absolute requirement and acknowledged a single-cab is more economical. However, the truck allows him to transport at least three officials or visiting dignitaries – when needed – to various agricultural sites around Rarotonga which are sometimes located “off-road”. Instead of being kept at his Avarua office, Turepu said all three vehicle are being parked at his Matavera home on the advice of his finance manager, who said the vehicles would be safer there and not susceptible to vandalism or tampering. According to Government rules, special purpose vehicles such as utility trucks can be purchased for use by Minister up to a cost of $40,000. Ministries must provide valid justification to have their vehicles replaced, which usually occurs after five years or 100,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. - ES ‘Pat a cake, pat a cake...’ Around 170 college students have taken the chance to add some less traditional classes to their schedule. Tereora College’s academies programme sees some students spend part of their week – usually 10 hours – working on building practical skills while also helping them achieve NCEA standards. Principal Bali Haque said the programme has been in the pipeline for a few years, but the school has expanded the classes considerably for 2014. “This has been a long process for us. We’ve been looking at widening the curriculum and to use some of the flexibilities of NCEA,” he said. “It’s a huge initiative from our point of view, and this year we’ve gone much bigger.” The academies cover a range of subjects including building and construction, trades, hospitality, business, sports and horticulture. Some of these classes are conducted in partnership with the Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute, which Haque said, was approached by Tereora College to help “break down the walls of the school”. The programme allows students to clock up NCEA credits while learning real-world skills, and can mean they come out with a qualification – such as a national certificate in horticulture – as well as their NCEA. Haque said the students in the Academies programme are from across the whole ability spectrum. “The classes have both practical and theory work – a lot of the students enjoy both sides of it,” he said. “We’re getting good feedback from students. They’re getting the flexibility that is really good education for them.” He said the academies are chosen by students as part of their normal class selection process, and are especially suited to those who do not intend to go to university. “If they’re thinking about going to university they will probably need to do a more traditional course,” said Haque. While some of the classes are based at the tertiary institute, Haque said the assessment is still done through Tereora College. “These are standards that are on the NCEA framework and they are internationally recognised. They’re going to come out with NCEA, and we need to provide the NCEA.” Blustery weather expected to last past the weekend Strong winds buffeting Rarotonga and the rest of the Southern Group will keep blowing throughout the weekend, if not longer. Large swells are also expected to start pounding the island in the next few days. Cook Islands Meteorological Service Director Arona Ngari said the rough weather is being caused by an intense ridge of high pressure sitting to the south-west. “Unfortunately, it’s positioned in its favourable position meaning it will stay there for days. It’s not budging.” Ngari said the 20 to 25 knot and gusty southeast winds will continue for three to five days. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Lusi, which is bearing down on New Zealand, is not helping the situation, he said. “As Lusi moves towards the south, crossing the isobars of the anticyclone only strengthens the ridge that is pushing on the Southern Cook Islands. The energy gained in this crossing will only contribute to the ridging towards the northeast of the anticyclone.” The bad weather is being added to by a trough of low pressure with associated cloud and showers, which is lying over the Southern Cooks and gradually moving eastward. The Southern Cooks can expect cloudy periods with occasional showers over the weekend. Moderate to fresh northerly winds, occasional showers and a few thunderstorms are predicted for the Northern Group. According to popular weather forecasting website WindGuru, Rarotonga is set to be hit by massive southeast swells over the coming days. It predicts 4.1 metre swells for the east side on Sunday morning, building to a huge 7.5 metres by Wednesday morning. The Cook Islands Meteorological Service is predicting a similar forecast, with 3.5-4.5 metre swells from the south and southeast for the next three days. - BCS More positive cases of zika A total of 35 cases of zika have been confirmed in Rarotonga since the outbreak started in early February, says the Ministry of Health. Another batch of blood test results came back from Tahiti on Thursday, confirming the island is facing its first ever encounter with the virus. The Ministry of Health has now received a total of 46 results from Tahiti - where the blood samples are being assessed – showing 35 positive for zika, 10 negative and one uncertain. None of the samples have tested positive for the more severe dengue virus. Director of Community Health Services Dr Rangi Fariu said the laboratory in Tahiti wants to carry on running tests. “It’s zika but they still want more samples. I think they want to find out whether it’s similar to the Tahitian strain.” Fariu said the laboratory is having trouble testing all the Cook Islands samples because they also have their own local samples to deal with. Another five people reported to the hospital late this week showing symptoms of zika. Total reported cases now stand at 193, including 10 from Aitutaki, but none from the other outer islands. Many of those people are still waiting for their blood test results to come back. The virus outbreak in Rarotonga was initially thought to be dengue but has since been confirmed as zika. Its victims have typically suffered from a skin rash, loss of appetite, fever, headaches, and pain in the muscles, joints, and behind the eyes. Most people have taken less than a week to recover and nobody has been hospitalised by the illness yet - Ben Chapman-Smith WEEKEND Was the Long-tailed Cuckoo an ancient navigators’ guide? By Gerald McCormack, Natural Heritage Trust The Long-tailed Cuckoo (Karavia) winters in tropical Polynesia and migrates to New Zealand in October and November to breed by duping other birds to incubate its eggs and raise its young. Part 1 last week discussed its behaviour in the Cook Islands and in New Zealand and the long time it took to prove it was migrated long distances over the ocean. This part discusses its Polynesian names, the likelihood that its migration helped ancient Polynesians discover Aotearoa, and alternative bird omens of New Zealand. Polynesian names The initial Polynesian culture developed in the Fiji, Samoa and Tonga area starting about 3,000 years ago (1000 BC). After 2000 years, around 1000 AD, they began to explore eastward to find and settle the Society Islands; continuing eastward, they soon settled the Tuamotu, Marquesas, Pitcairn and Rapanui. Around 1200 AD they probed north from the Marquesas to discover Hawai‘i. At a similar time, from the Societies and Rarotonga, they persisted to the southwest into difficult winds and cold seas to discover New Zealand. As each new community formed, their inherited language and culture changed by varying degrees. Sometimes known plants and animals were given new names, but more commonly earlier names were maintained with a new pronunciation which was later preserved in the written language. Such words are called cognates; a good example is Cook Islands Rupe (Pacific Pigeon), a cognate of Samoa Lupe, with R replacing L. Linguistic research shows that the ancient name for our cuckoo was Kāleva; this name survives unaltered in Tonga, Tokelau and Pukapuka. The name survives as cognates throughout most of Polynesia: ‘Āleva in Samoa with glottal for K; Kā‘eva‘eva in Marquesas with glottal for L; Kārevareva in Tuamotu with R for L; and in Tahiti ‘Ārevareva, with glottal for K and R for L. See illustration. In the Cook Islands, except for Pukapuka, the traditional Polynesian name has been replaced by new names: Karavia (Rarotonga and Aitutaki), ‘Aravi‘i (Ātiu), Pātangaroa (Mangaia), ‘Ātangaroa (Ma‘uke), Koekoeā (Penrhyn) and Kokorove (Manihiki, Rakahanga and Palmerston). It is not known when or why there was a widespread development of new names in the Cook Islands. With the Cook Islands as an ancient stepping stone, the situation in New Zealand is interesting. The Māori arrived with the traditional cuckoo name, Kāleva, as the cognate Kārewarewa from tropical Eastern Polynesia, but they applied it to the New Zealand Falcon, which is superficially similar to the Long-tailed Cuckoo. For the cuckoo, the most used Māori name is Koekoeā, probably a cognate of the now forgotten ‘Ō‘ōea, a name for the cuckoo in the 1851 Davies Tahitian dictionary. Tongareva probably got its Koekoeā from the same source. Other New Zealand Māori names include Kawekaweā, Kaweau, Kawekaweau and Kōhoperoa. The name Kaweau is also the name of the Tuatara Lizard and the three related names might be derived from the ancient belief that the cuckoo turned into a lizard during the winter. The name Kōhoperoa might have been obtained from an unrecorded Tahitian name hope-roa meaning long-tail, combined with the Tahitian prefix kō. The navigators guide to Aotearoa? One of the best known traditions of the discovery of Aotearoa was published in 1913 with a translation by Percy Smith in the The Lore of the Whare-wananga, Part 2, Chapter 3 which was recorded in about 1865 from the traditional teacher Te Matorohunga. It recounts that a Tahiti chief, Kupe, discovered Aotearoa in his waka Matahorua, accompanied by his friend Ngake in a second waka. They were chasing a troublesome giant octopus belonging to an uncooperative man, Muturangi. It led them to the North Cape of Aotearoa and down the eastern coast until they killed it near the South Island. They explored both islands and returned to Ra‘iatea and Tahiti. There is no known Māori or other Polynesian oral tradition suggesting that the Long-tailed Cuckoo was migratory, or implicated in the original discovery of Aotearoa. This hypothesis was first suggested by Percy Smith in 1907 commenting as the editor of the Journal of the Polynesian Society on an article by Taylor White, which suggested in general terms that navigators at sea would sometimes notice migrating birds and could easily sail in the same direction. Smith commented: We think there is a great deal of probability in Mr. Taylor Whites theory, and would suggest that it was the flight of the kohoperoa, or long-tailed cuckoo, that first induced the Polynesian voyagers to come as far South as New Zealand. The kohoperoa winters in the Islands from Samoa to Tahiti. (JPS 16:92) In 1913 when he translated the well-known Kupe story, Smith wrote in his preamble: the probable inducement to Kupe to undertake the long voyage from Tahiti to New Zealand, was the flight of the Kohoperoa, or long-tailed Cuckoo, which an observant people like the Maoris on seeing this bird coming year after year from the South West, and well knowing that it was a land bird, would immediately conclude that land of considerable size lay in that direction. In his famous 1972 book We, the Navigators navigator David Lewis concluded that Polynesian navigators could have converted observed landbird flight paths into directions on their star compass, but cautioned: I want to stress that the hypotheses about following migratory bird paths remain entirely speculative. The Pacific Golden-Plover (Tōrea) is a conspicuous tropical island landbird on the shore and open areas. In April their departure northward to Alaska is very conspicuous: the birds gather into groups at staging areas and then depart northward in large groups; afterwards there is a dramatic decrease in the number of plovers. It is widely accepted that the plovers northward migration inspired the early Marquesas navigators to persist northward until they found the islands of Hawaii. In contrast to the departure of the plover, the October-November departure of the Long-tailed Cuckoo is very inconspicuous; they leave alone or in small groups without any fanfare, and there is no apparent dramatic decrease in their numbers. Furthermore, the recent evidence showing that many Eastern Polynesia cuckoos drift westward after June and go to Aotearoa from around Tonga, means there are much fewer birds flying direct from the Cooks and Societies to New Zealand than previously thought. In contrast to Smiths idea that they were commonly seen returning to the tropics from the southwest, their return is even more inconspicuous than their departure. I conclude that the use of the flight path of the Long-tailed Cuckoo to find Aotearoa is very unlikely, but not impossible. Other guides to Aotearoa Although the direction of migrating cuckoos would have been difficult to detect, there are other birds migrating across tropical Polynesia to New Zealand around November that were more easily observed because of their great numbers. In November 1985 I was on the Ravakai from Penrhyn to Rarotonga when for more than a day small petrels, similar to Cooks Petrel, were flying past on a somewhat similar course. There is no petrel nesting in large numbers in the Southern Group, so it seemed likely they were heading to New Zealand. In recent years, mainly using electronic tracking, the circum-Pacific migratory paths of Sooty Shearwater (Titi, Muttonbird) and Cooks Petrel (Titi) have been mapped in detail. These birds and other related birds undertake indirect loop paths from New Zealand to their favourite feeding grounds off Peru, Southern California, Alaska and Japan. However, when they fly back to New Zealand in October and November they fly along remarkably straight flyways across Polynesia. The flyway from Peru used by Cooks Petrel is probably too far south of tropical Polynesia to have alerted navigators of land to the southwest. The flyway from Hawai‘i is used by an immense numbers of Sooty Shearwaters, Cooks Petrels and other birds. This popular flyway is west of the Cook Islands, past Samoa and Tonga to New Zealand. Despite the immense number of birds using this flyway, it might not have been known to navigators in the Southern Cooks and Societies. The flyway from California used by the Sooty Shearwater, which passes through the Cook Islands, has distinct possibilities of being a signpost to New Zealand for ancient navigators. Even today, many thousands of birds use this route. In the ancient past, before petrels and shearwaters were decimated by people and introduced predators, the number of birds using this pathway would have been immense and they would have been a convincing omen of lands to the southwest. As Lewis pointed out, the navigator could interpret the direction into his star map and navigate in that direction when conditions were favourable. Top Shape marks its 25th birthday Topshape Complex in Taputapuatea celebrates 25 years of being in business today. That’s 25 years of keeping Cook Islanders fit at the Topshape Health and Fitness Gym, looking sharp and stylish at the Top Shape Hairdresser and watered and fuelled at the Staircase Restaurant. The gym and hair studio opened in 1989 and, prior to the Staircase Restaurant opening in 1993 – the Yankee Café opened in 1992. To celebrate 25 years of creating beautiful bodies, hair and magical dining experiences – an evening of walking down memory lane, with a little bit of eating and dancing, will be the order of the day at Staircase tonight. All past members of the gym, which since 1989 has been the home to local bodybuilders, Les Mills aerobic exercises, Radical Fitness classes, Zumba sessions and now the latest exercise craze Ura fitness, are invited to head along to Staircase for a night of reminiscing and prizes. Some of the fitness instructors of the various exercise programmes will be on hand including Sue Curruthers, Selina Napa, Donna Smith, Paulina Beddoes, Alana Short, Shannon Harworth, Anita Piti, Francis Brown-Toa, Avera Hunter, Sisi Short and visiting international teachers. It won’t all be about fitness though as there will be hair styling demonstrations tonight, cake plus lots of singing and dancing. The restaurant opens for dinner at 6.30pm and all are welcome to celebrate the Top Shape complex’s 25th birthday this evening. - Matariki Wilson Polyfest kids perform up a storm! While stormy weather conditions generated by Cyclone Lusi has forced the postponement of the last day of cultural performances at the annual Polyfest – three days of Pacific colour and sound brightened up the Manukau Sports Bowl. The ASB Polyfest is the largest gathering of Pacific youth and is officially the Auckland secondary schools Maori and Pacific Islands cultural festival. The theme for the ASB Polyfest 2014, provided by Western Springs College was, “Care for our seas and our lands, so that the safety of our homes, both present and past endures forever”. With 223 groups entered from 62 schools the ASB Polyfest was another action packed and eventful festival! Big crowds were once again on hand to cheer on the schools as they performed cultural dances and songs on the main stages, being the Cook Islands, Samoa, Niue, Tonga and New Zealand Maori. Cook Islands personality in Auckland, Bernard Tairea, has been enjoying the cultural peformances on the Cook Islands stage and shared these images. Meitaki maata to Bernard and congratulations to the New Zealand Secondary Schools that presented dance and songs from the Cook Islands. - MW It’s time to ‘talk da walk’ Linda Kavelin-Popov is co-founder of The Virtues Project and best-selling author of The Family Virtues Guide, A Pace of Grace, Graceful Endings and other books on virtues. In this final season of my life, I have the sweet time to reflect. For that I am deeply grateful. One of the things I am noticing lately is the power of the words we speak to each other. One of my best friends from high school, who has known me well for most of my life, recently acknowledged me for something that until that moment I had completely taken for granted – my ability to enjoy whatever is right in front of me. Her words about joy echoed in my awareness for days and I began to appreciate and probably deepen that quality more than ever. I have heard from a number of island friends lately that they rarely share their personal lives or worries, even with family, for fear of starting a string of rumours which may distort the truth. We know from the world’s Sacred Texts that “A gentle answer turns away wrath but a grievous word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1) We are told in Doctrine and Covenants of Latter Day Saints “thou shalt not speak evil of thy neighbour: D&C 42:27 and Cease to find fault one with another: D&C 88:124 These sacred sources all mention the power of the tongue to ravage like fire or soothe with gentleness. I think that sometimes when people warn you about someone, their intent is to protect you. However, I recently asked a new friend to let me make up my own mind when she started filling me in on the down side of island life. To my awe and delight, she started praising people openly for the virtues she noticed in them. Her company became much more enjoyable. And I even heard from another friend who was surprised by words of encouragement from this same person. So, I’m thinking of starting a new club – Backkissers Anonymous. Especially with our closest family and friends, and our children, our words are weighty so we need to weigh our words! One negative or critical word about an intimate is like a grain of sand in their eye. One encouraging word, such as a virtues acknowledgment, is a balm to their souls. We were created for love, not hate, and we have SO little time in this swiftly vanishing life to learn that most vital lesson. Every time we speak ill of another, whether or not it is true, we divide, we separate, we pit friend against friend. I was once in the unlikely position of witnessing a small miracle during a Zumba class. An uber-fit man was bouncing and leaping, one could say excessively, certainly more intensely than any of our three instructors, and kept turning around to those of us behind him, urging us to do the same. Well, as the oldest mama in my Zumba group, I don’t jump – for anyone. I thought to myself, “Ooh, he’s in trouble. People will talk about him” scolding myself for the stray thought, “Who died and made you king?” But instead of eye rolling and growls, he got an ovation and shouts for him to take the stage, which our instructors gladly encouraged. Ironically it had a calming effect, perhaps humbling him. To me, that was a sweet solution, one that obviated the gossip gremlin. That little community of dancers chose love over pettiness, kindness over rejection. This was a humbling teachable moment for me. When someone starts gossiping to you, what can you do? To participate passively is to condone the act. So, just being silent may not be enough. Sometimes it will require you to say, “I’d rather not talk about this, please.” Medieval Muslim poet, Sad’i (Saadi Shirazi) says, “Use a sweet tongue, courtesy and gentleness and thou mayest manage to guide an elephant by a hair.” Replace the esteem you get from gossiping with the purifying sense of self-discipline and the honour you will feel by calling yourself to a higher standard. The virtues of humility and forgiveness are helpful as well. Who are we to cast the first stone? Start practicing “back kissing”, sharing encouraging, positive words about others rather than negative ones. Be a mentor, not a tormentor, a spreader of seeds of peace. Talk da walk! KIDS PAGE ‘Intruder alert, the speakers said’ Avatea School students have been reading up a storm after thousands of reading books were donated to the school from a number of sources. The New Zealand community pulled together to gather pre-loved books and donations to the school while the New Zealand High Commissioner Joanna Kempkers presented the school with standard reading books to get kids at the school back on the reading track. Families and other communities groups have also made book donations to Avatea School which is still rebuilding its book collection after the school’s library was destroyed in a fire last October. All the new reading books have no doubt inspired the school’s students to put pen to paper and show off their writing skills. Today we share stories and creative writings by senior students of Avatea Primary School. The Dream Last night I had a dream about my brother and me. We were outside until a portal appeared. We went through it and we were in the Justice League watch tower in space. We were shocked to see Superman, Batman, Red Tornado and all sorts of super heroes walking around. All of a sudden an alarm went off. Intruder alert, the speakers said. Green Lantern put handcuffs on us but we said, “No, we are not intruders. We got teleported here by…” my brother said nothing after that because we had no idea who teleported us here. But in my dream, I wasn’t 11 years old. I was 17 and my brother was about 20 years old. I had no idea that we had powers. I had sorcery and magic powers. My brother had super strength and bullet-proof skin. Green Lantern let us go and took us to the watch tower’s command centre. Martian Man Hunter was standing there and he said, “Who are you and do you have any powers?” I said, “Yes” and demonstrated a blast of sorcery at this big box. My brother introduced himself by lifting up the big heavy box that I blasted. We said that his name was Lucharge and I said that my name was Doctore Fate. He asked if we would want to be recruited in the Justice League. “Yes, but because I have a family on Earth, I need to stay with them and protect them,” I said. So Martian Man Hunter teleported us back home and we went inside. All of a sudden I woke up and didn’t super-heroes power anymore but I think I know how I got to have this dream. I was watching Justice League before I went to sleep. By Joshua Williams Deep Blue Sea Whenever I go in the sea I get excited because I love the sea. I like it when the waves crash on to me. I like it when my toes dig into the sand and I get all sandy and then I wash it all off and do the same thing again. When I go in the water I see fish and eels. When fish come around me I stand still. I make a sudden movement and they swim away. I also like to go fishing on our old uncle’s boat and we catch fish and fry it up in the evening. I really like it when we have picnic in the shore in the shade of a tree. We take food, drink, mats and towels. When it gets hot we just take a few steps from our picnic area and jump in the sea. I like to chase the waves and the waves chase me. It is salty and I always swallow it. In NZ I like to go to the beach there as well because the ocean goes out deep. So me and my mum always go out to the deep past the waves to where the waves are just swells. So we go up and down as the swells go passed us. I also go body boarding and I carved the waves as I go really swiftly through the waves. I am also interested in fantasy sea animals like sea dragons. The movies of them are so fascinating. I really like mermaids. They have really nice tails and match their hair and eyes. I also like writing notes in bottles and sending them out to sea. By Abigail Barrett What I want for myself I want to learn and be a smart student. I want to win a prize – ninety nine dollars money prize. I want to achieve something and I want to write nice so I can make our teacher and my parents proud. By Shedrack Chand What I want for myself I want to learn things at school and college. I want to make more friends at different places. I want to behave myself and be smart. I want to be a pilot so I can travel the world. I want to go to Australia to see my dad. I want to be a school teacher. By Valmein Vakapora LETTERS Year of headache for Govt Dear Editor, Grey Power is one-year-old this month – March. This is how we became. Without Richard Neves, there would be no back tax, without back tax there would be no Grey Power, Without Grey Power the Government would not have had a one-year-long headache! Grey Power came into being to fight against an unfair three-years packaged back tax against each one of us. Why couldn’t this troubled Government remove the cause of their pain and Grey Power’s nemesis? We’ve been treble-taxed and robbed by this Government within a space of one year, they posted a $4.7million surplus the other day; splashed millions of surplus the other day; splashed millions of dollars on local pensions the week before, but could not care less about reimbursing $30,000 they illegally removed from six Grey Power mamas’ and papas’ bank accounts. After three months the Prime Minister’s public announcement to reimburse all money sounds more hollow by the day because this Cook Islands Party Government have no conscience (Akava-Ngakau) of the moral wrong they have committed. Te Akaroa ia matou Dennis Tunui Turangi SPORTS League legends tourney looming League legends will gather together next month to stretch their legs in the Cook Islands Masters Rugby League mini tournament. More than 120 players and officials are expected to take part in the mini tournament aimed at nurturing fun, fraternity and friendship among stars of the game from yesteryears. The tournament, scheduled to be held from April 3-14, will include two legs with games to be played on Rarotonga and in Aitutaki. Five local league masters clubs are brushing up their skills ahead of the tournament with teams to be fielded by the Takuvaine (papa kaura vai), Tupapa, Ngatangiia, Avatiu (papa Eels) and of course the papa Sharks club of Aitutaki. From Aotearoa, the Otara Scorpions are headed for the islands to add sting to the masters’ rugby league competition with plenty of healthy rivalry to be had both on and off the field. Organisers of the mini tournament expect games to be played right across the rugby fields on Rarotonga. The event will open in the traditional Cook Islands way with a feast and close with another feast and, of course, the prizegiving. Officials from the islands are all internationally qualified to control games that have its own set of rules, which takes the age of the players into consideration. If you are a papa over 35 and would like to take part in the tournament, you can join a local club or join individually and registration fees are $100 per player. And if you would like to bring your mama with you to the opening and closing events – tickets are just $70 per person. For more information on the event – contact Johnny Hosking or any members of the Cook Islands Masters Rugby League Association. Information on the tournament can also be found on Cook Islands Masters Rugby League Association Facebook page and website. Packages for players to join the competition and fun on the Aitutaki leg are also available – check out the association’s Facebook page for more information. The tournament is set to be a fun-filled affair and former rugby league players are encouraged to dust off their boots and get their bodies moving. - Matariki Wilson Arorangi, Tupapa for league action Arorangi and Tupapa fields are the places to be this afternoon for local rugby league action. At the Arorangi field the fired-up Bears will square off against the Warriors where the Bears will be looking for a second win after their first-up win of the season against the Panthers last weekend. The Warriors, on the other hand, are still searching for their first win of the season and may find the Bears slumbering although this is highly unlikely as the Bears have the taste of victory now and will want some more. It will be a tough ask for the Warriors but as every club knows – never underestimate the Warriors. Meanwhile, at the Tupapa field, the Panthers will want to restore the faith of their supporters after losing to the Bears last week in what has been a horror few weeks for the club. The club’s premier men’s team know they have a tough road ahead of them to earn points and return to the top end of the table and will need to defeat the Ngatangiia Sea Eagles today to start earning points. However, they will face a frustrated Sea Eagles side that have been left scratching their heads after putting in the hard yards but missing out on the victory as they did against the Bulldogs last weekend. This should be a bruising game for both teams and one that both supporters camp will need to be at to cheer on their lads. - MW Saturday 15 Arorangi Bears vs Takuvaine Warriors Arorangi Field – 1.20pm Under 19, Refs : Tutai Taurarii, Touch Judges : Dawn Crummer/Tavake Manuel, 2.40pm Snr Reserve, Refs: Tangi Taomia, Touch Judges : Jeffery Murray/Tavake Manuel, 4.30pm Premier, Refs : Nga Takaiti, Touch Judges : Tangi Taomia/Tutai Taurarii (Sub Official: Taua Benioni). Saturday 15 Tupapa Panthers vs Ngatangiia Sea Eagles Tupapa Field – 12.20pm Under 16, Refs: Puis Mitchell, TJ’s S. Teiotu / Poto Ngaroi - Tupapa Panthers vs Avatiu Nikao Eels, 1.25pm Under 19, Refs: Arthur Emile, TJ’s S. Teiotu / Poto Ngaroi - Tupapa Panthers vs Avatiu Nikao Eels, 2.45pm Snr Reserve, Refs: Bishop Bishop, Touch Judges: Simiona Teiotu / Poto Ngaroi, 4.30pm Premier, Refs: Sean Willis, Touch Judges: Arthur Emile / Tua Ngaputa, (Sub Official: Simiona Teiotu). Listen to radio for the women’s tri update Due to predictions of adverse weather this weekend – teams preparing to take part in today’s scheduled Women’s Triathlon are asked to keep an ear out for updates on the events status on the radio. The event could be postponed due to the weather as organisers understand that the popular women’s triathlon event is one that attracts many newcomers who may not be comfortable competing in tough weather conditions. Organisers also want all competitors to have a safe and fun time and it won’t be too much fun swimming in white capped seas and gale force winds! Organisers will wait until this morning to make a final decision as things can change rapidly when it comes to Mother Nature. All teams are encouraged and urged to tune into 88FM this morning and the island’s very only top female triathlete and radio announcer DJ Nemo (Vanessa Woodger) will announce the decision on the triathlon. The association apologises for the uncertainty but safety of all competitors is paramount. - Matariki Wilson Top golf pairs found For 10 weeks from November 2013 through to February the Rarotonga Golf Course hosted a pairs competition where club members paired up to determine the top ladies and men’s pair. There were various categories ranging from a main Cup challenge down to a tea-bag competition for the men and the ladies taking a more subtle approach with pink balls to vases and cutlery and a touch of roses for their prizes. In the men’s final playoff match, Aukino Tairea and Henry R. Henry defeated Stuart Henry and Edwin Pittman 7/6. In golfing terms this was a thrashing considering the recent outstanding form of both Pittman and Stuart. Congratulations to team Pee Weez (Au & HRH) who were the lowest qualifying team that came through and caused this major upset. Rumour has it that Aukino used his Grey Power magic to pressurise Pittman, who had no response whatsoever. The ladies’ match was more competitive with Rowena Newbigging and young Katey K. Karati defeating Maara, who subbed for Kurai Foster and Lee Heronymous on the second to last hole. This was an awesome effort by Maara and Lee and both are steadily improving since joining the club last year. The highest points tally for the men was Steve Graham and Joe Browne. The main prizes of two return airfares to Aitutaki and three nights’ accommodation was kindly sponsored by golf club patron Ewan Smith for Air Rarotonga and Jenny and Stuart Henry for Are Tamanu. The golf club and members take this opportunity to thank the above sponsors and all members for supporting this off season event. It was a good finale and already some members are pairing themselves up ready for the next challenge starting November 2014. Meanwhile the 2014 Rarotonga Golf club season officially opens this Saturday at midday followed by a shotgun start at 1pm. - Caddie Kitesurfers gear up for Manureva As local residents baton down the hatches against predicted high winds over the weekend – local kitesurfers will be airing out their kites and polishing up their boards for loads of fun. Local kitesurfers are sure to revel in the high winds as they put in more hard training ahead of this year’s Manureva Kitesurfing and Aquafest competition scheduled to be held on Aitutaki from September 1-5. Rarotonga kitesurfers have been improving their skills and the word is host island Aitutaki will also field a number of riders who have significantly improved their riding skills since last year. Former two-time world kitesurfing champion and inaugural winner of the first Manureva comp in 2011 Jesse Richmond, who won the world crown for Red Bull’s “King of the Air 2013” is set to bring his talents back to the island festival. Kitesurfing Association president Paka Worthington is excited at the prospect of the classy rider heading to the islands. “He does triple backflips off the beach to start his kite sessions – something you have to see before you can believe it,” says Worthington. He is also planning on bringing the Naish team (a big kite manufacturer from Hawaii) with him and having the Tahitian and Australian Naish teams meet him here. Last year’s event on Aitutaki also saw the first Aquafest run on the island with much success. The event includes short 50 metre races on stand up paddle boards, vaka and fun freestyle swimming. This event is open to everyone and all are encouraged to bring their ‘A game’. The event also introduces the sport to the community through a kite-making competition for school kids as well as an island-wide night market at the conclusion of the five-day festival. Rarotonga riders to watch out for will be the island’s top riders including Pauro Arnold, Eva Koteka, Ina Nooroa and Gordon Heather to name a few; while Titi Katangi is sure to be one of the standout riders from Araura along with the rising local riders on the Pa Enua. Event organisers would like to say a big meitaki atupaka to event sponsors including the Edgewater Resort, Telecom Cook Islands, Tourism Cook Islands, Cook Islands Yacht Squadron and Air Rarotonga. - Matariki Wilson No clear cricket front runner The Cook Islands Domestic League cricket enters its third week of competition today with Rarotonga looking to go to top of the table with a win over the World XI. Rarotonga will have their work cut out for them as the World XI is unbeaten from two matches, having disposed of Aitutaki and Pukapuka. Pukapuka have lost one, won one and sit third on the table with four points. They will look to extend that out to eight points if they can get over their national women opponents. At the midway point of the competition there is still no clear front runner but today’s results could see all three of Rarotonga, World and Pukapuka go top of the table with eight points. A win for the Worlds today would have them go four points clear of all other contenders. Both matches are scheduled for the Turangi Oval with Pukapuka taking on the Cook Islands women at 11am followed by Rarotonga against the World XI at 3pm. Points: 1st Place The World XI (8 Points, 2 wins from 2 matches, NRR +2.425), 2nd Place Rarotonga (4 Points, 1 win from 1, NRR +11.600), 3rd Place Pukapuka (4 Points, 1 win from 2, NRR +1.113), 4th Place Aitutaki (4 Points, 1 win from 3, NRR +0.416) and 5th Place Cook Islands women (0 points, 0 wins from 2, NRR -13.140). - CIC CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS PUBLIC NOTICE Web site development and maintenance – Expression of Interest Te Mato Vai is the name given to one of the largest infrastructure projects in the history of the Cook Islands, a Cook Islands water partnership with the People’s Republic of China and the Government of New Zealand. The goal of this unique and innovative partnership is to reliably deliver clean water to the boundary of all buildings connected to the existing water network in Rarotonga by 2016. As with all public fund expenditure, this must be done in an affordable and efficient manner. We are seeking expressions of interest from experienced IT professionals to assist us to establish a website and maintain it on a regular basis, as well as initiate email addresses associated with the website domains. More information can be obtained by phoning 55 486, or email jaewynn@wovenpacific, where expressions of interest may also be sent, by Friday 21st March 2014 76720 Notice to all landowners of Teao Katu Section 191F2. The owners of the above land title are asked to please attend a meeting of owners to be held on Wednesday 19 March 2014 at Takuvaine Meeting House at 6pm to consider a request by Joe Uriarau Rongotaua to partition out his family’s share of this land. If any questions please phone 50004. 77606 /36952 /1931 The Cook Islands Red Cross Society is offering a Certified Refreshers First Aid Training Course. A 1 year first aid certificate will be awarded at the completion of the course. Date: 20th March 2014. Venue: Cook Islands Red Cross Headquarters Time 8.30am For any enquiries contact: 22598 Email: [email protected] Meitaki maata 77632 / /2204 The Cook Islands Netball Team Fundraiser. Quiz Night on Thursday 20th of March at the CI Game Fishing Club. 6 players per team at $120. There are Great Prizes to be won. Tasty food will be selling on the night. All proceeds will go towards the preparations for Team Cook Islands to the Pacific Netball Series here in Rarotonga on the 2nd to the 7th of June 2014. Contact Tupe on 50081 or Inano 54243 to register your team or otherwise email: [email protected] We welcome everyone to come and enjoy the night with us for a fun-filled evening. 77559 / /2113 Cook Islands Samoan Community Incorporated AGM Annual General Meeting to be held at Robert & Mousie’s residence, Nikao on Monday 31 March 2014 at 5.30pm. 1. Opening prayer 2. Apologies 3. Adoption of Minutes of the last AGM 4. President’s report 5. Treasurer’s report 6. Election of Office Bearers President Vice - president Treasurer Secretary Subcommittees. 7. General business 8. Closing prayer. All members/new members and friends of Samoa are welcome to attend. Fa’afetai Lava President. 77624 /36955 /1931 NOTICE TO ALL NONO GROWERS PAST AND PRESENT: Cook Islands Noni Marketing is presently buying noni fruit, 50 cents/kilo. Please contact Junior, 23088 if you need drums to be delivered. 77456 /36931 /2019 VISITE CONSULAIRE Rdv avec Consul de France vendredi 28 mars pour passeport, carte identite, visa, chez consul honoraire a Muri. Les documents necessaires doivent etre envoyes imperativement a l’avance a l’ambassade et le paiement des frais effectues. Renseignements et prise de RDV Consul honoraire: +682 28242 ( 9 a 12h) ou avaiki@mac. Pour liste documents a fournir: ambafrance-nz.org/-Formalites-administratives- The French Consul comes to assist with French passport, identity card and visa on Friday 28 March. For any inquiry and appointment , please call the Honorary Consul: 28242 or avaiki@mac. 77609 / /1626 TUATUa Akakite E patianga teia kia tatou te kopu no roto mai ia Ema Manavaroa Marama kia tae mai ki tetai Uipaanga Ki roto it e are Uipaanga O Avana Nui a te Monite ra 17 o Mati ite ora 6 ite aiai. Tumu Manako Maata, to tatou Taoanga Koropuaka Rangatira. Tinirau Tamarua (Komono) 77567 /36921 /1931 Tenders Cook Islands Motor Centre Tenders are invited for item listed below, as is where is. 2012 Daelim Citiace REGO: AAQ180 Please see Allister Webb, Sales Manager. 77498 /36942 /1916 Services Self Storage Raro U Store it!! -Secure & Private -Short or Long term -For office, Shop or Home Storage. Phone 22188 or 26189. Email [email protected] 73696 /36871 /1744 For Rent Comfortable old family home in Atupa. 3-4 bedrooms, partly furnished. Good location. Phone 27300 or 55300. 77615 /36967 /1931 Modern apartment in the KAKERA complex Ngatangiia. Available now three bedrooms two bathrooms. email [email protected] for full details 77619 / /1636 1 bedroom unit Arorangi, close to main road & shops. Phone 21444 or 73530. 77438 /36922 /2419 Office or Shop space for rent peaceful and tidy surroundings - $150 per week - 3 available. Located Manu Manor near town - please phone Tina Iro on 79368 to view. 77060 /36638 /2046 For Sale Wooden pallets, 1.2m2, solid construction, $5 each. Phone 22999. 77622 / /2171 ‘’ Pigs For Sale’’ Prices $120 and $150. Weighs up to 20 kilos. Contact 23876 or 73586. 77488 /36784 /1931 March Madness! Maori Dictionary 1/2 price sale at Library & Museum opp. USP at Taputapuatea. Ph 26468. 77491 /36936 /1966 11 month old pigs for sale Price $200 Call phone 75661. 77523 / /1931 Pigs for sale, $100-$200. Phone 50270 or 56870. 77546 /36911 /1931 Taro pa’i, all varieties @ $100/25kg bag. Phone 55441. 77547 /77547 /2442 Brand new life jackets for all water sports and activity. Size large and x-large. Call 22275. 77568 /36918 /1931 Cooked banana, frozen, ready for poke. Phone 51143. 77571 / /2643 2 girls pink single beds. Urgent sale. In good condition, $400 for both. Comes with wardrobe for free (may need some repairs). Only interested parties. Phone/text 76424. 77592 / /2535 1x bench, 2x dumbells, 1x V bar, 120kg’s of weights, pull down bar, $250. Concrete mixer, $400. Phone 52144. 77602 /36951 /1931 Steel drum, 200ltr, $50. Phone 22999. 77623 / /2171 40 stacking chairs (black), $400 the lot. Phone 23597. 77626 /36968 /1931 Vehicles for Sale Toyota Vitz for sale. As is. Good runner. $9,000. Call 22904 for genuine enquiries 77532 /36877 /1931 1x Tiger Smart motor bike (Blue) only 8 months old, going out price $1600. Phone 78191. 77564 /36906 /1931 Garage Sale All must go today, everything, any offer accepted on tools. Back Rd, Tupapa, next to Bakery. Phone 20037. 77604 /36953 /1931 Girls + boys newborn clothes, up to 1 years girls clothe’s + dresses, Girls teen clothing, Girls shoes, Set 2x Amp + speaker for car’s @ $800 ono & many more...Located @ Sunny Pureau, backroad Nikao opposite Fishers Road. Look for ballons to green 2 story house. 77628 /36957 /1931 Situations Vacant Groundsman part time. Phone 51143. 77572 / /2643 Handyman, $10/hr, 9-3. General help, house renovations, lawn mowing, reliable, sober habits, own transport. Phone or text 70489. 77582 /36856 /2061 Cafe staff wanted. Ph 28465. 77322 /36616 /1982 Male Baker, preferably with at least 5 yrs work exp.in the same field that specialises in baking, pastry, and cake. Hardworking, honest, team player and goal oriented person. Please email your CV to ciral09@yahoo and the application closes 17 March 2014. 77241 /36842 /1933 Mike Rennie Builders Ltd is seeking an experienced carpenter to join our team on a full time basis. Please ring 21375 to arrange interview. 77534 / /2371 SHOP MANAGER 3-5 yrs work exp.in retail business to oversee the full operation of the shop but not limited to shop-keeping, cashiering, banking & stock inventory. Important qualities: reliable, trustworthy, polite, honest, customer- friendly, non-smoker and non-drinker. Please email your CV to ciral09@yahoo and application closes 17 March 2014. 77217 /36831 /1933 La Casita & Rickshaw. Muri Positions available: Supervisor with Bar skills, POS skills & Front of House experience Friendly, Well-spoken and well-dressed essential. Waiters & Waitresses - experience preferred, training can be given Kitchen Hands - experience preferred Please phone: 26487 between 9am - 2pm Ask for Komera, Sue or Julie. Email refrences to [email protected] 77530 /36873 /1697 Pacific Resort Hotel Group A Great Place to Work... We are currently seeking the following: -Senior Landscape Gardener -Groundkeeper -Carpenter -Handyman -Chefs and Cooks -Waitstaff - experienced -Barperson - experienced -Team Leaders & Supervisors To apply email: work@pacificresort or contact Ani Thompson on 53731 77585 / /1866 Full time or part time Cook & Kitchen hand. Phone 76017 or 74345 77627 /36969 /1931 Are you an experienced Restaurant Supervisor and enjoy working in busy restaurants & bars? If this is you, we need to hear from you soon. On the job training provided. Great pay & benefits. Do you wake up early in the mornings, have a great attitude & personality & love looking after people in busy restaurants (Breakfast Service Team) If this is you, we need to hear from you soon. On the job training provided. Great pay & benefits. Please text Mii on 78112 to setup an interview or email your resume to oceans@crownbeach 77594 / /1969 CHEF WANTED Castaway Resort is looking for a Chef to join our friendly team to work evenings. Must be experienced, honest, reliable, team player, customer friendly and polite. A top hourly rate will be paid. E-mail: [email protected] or ph: Paul Ash 74-393. 77502 /36945 /1873 All AROUND BEAUTICIAN- at least 5 yrs work exp.in a salon, reliable, hardworking, honest, customer-friendly and able to work with minimum supervision. Please email your CV at [email protected] Application closes 17 March 2014. 77216 /36830 /1933 Sales Assistant Honest, team player, computer literate, reliable. Phone 25537 or 74552. 77527 /36856 /2061 LABOURER/PLANTING/CLEANER Job involves digging, planting, cleaning. Must be reliable, flexible and hardworking. Call me, phone 55041. 77432 /36850 /1931 Live in Nanny required to look after 3 adorable babies, please email [email protected] with your CV and references. 77389 /36652 /1931 Assistant Sales person needed at The Dive Shop. Female at least 25yrs old, honest and reliable, customer friendly, must know how to sell surf clothing, indent ordering, Please send CV to PO Box 418. Applications closes 17 March 2014. 77377 /36883 /1999 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER NCI is responsible for provision of netball services in the Cook Islands. We require a well organised, self-motivated and effective communicator for the above position (the position is for a short term contract of 3months with the main objective being to manage the PNS Event in June). Responsibilities include • Maintaining and enhancing further development strategies and policies for all levels of Netball, • Working with our Netball Centres and stakeholders to promote our sport and the ‘National Netball’ brand • creating opportunities for financial growth through sponsorship, funding agencies and fundraising. • Event Management of the Pacific Netball Series (PNS) from 2-7 June. This position requires one who is willing to operate on the frontline when required. Experience in the sports industry is an added advantage. Experience managing finances and people is expected. Salary Range: to be negotiated Please email [email protected] CEO application form or for any further enquiries. The completed form should be returned with any supporting documentation Applications close: 25 March 2014. 77422 FINANCIAL CONTROLLER Are you an ambitious Accountant who has been working for 1 - 2 years and is looking for a challenging and rewarding career with a successful 22 room Resort operating on the beautiful island of Aitutaki in the Cook Islands? We are looking for a Financial Controller for our resort who will: Be a Qualified Accountant. Excel and QuickBooks skills an advantage. Candidates should possess outstanding communication skills, credibility and keen commercial acumen Be responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the entire Financial Statements (Balance Sheet, P&L and Cash flow) Ensure that appropriate internal controls are in place and consistently applied in order to achieve the most cost-effective control of hotel’s assets and profits are in place Maintain accurate accounting records in accordance with Cook Island commercial law and interface with external audits Manage and help deliver the budget/forecast strategic plans. Be able to interpret financial data, draw inSights, provide recommendations and support the execution of those plans to deliver the necessary solutions in order to maximise the resort’s financial performance Have a hands on approach to the receipt, delivery and storage of all hotel stock items and ensure tight cost control Be able to properly prepare hotel, sales tax, and annual tax documents A competitive salary and accommodation package is available to the successful candidate, as well as the rare opportunity to live and work in Paradise. Interested candidates should email their CV to tamanubeachfinancialcontroller@gmail 77433 Wanted to Buy We will BUY your old or broken gold jewellery. FISHERS BLACK PEARL JEWELLERY. 77583 / /1889 Base for queensize bed only, must be in good condition, willing to buy. Phone 76424. 77593 / /2535 Wanted Used SKY disc. Contact 56957. 77631 /36976 /1931 Wanting to rent 2 bedroom house plus. Please call 56189,75451,22254. 77553 /36914 /1931 Tere Joseph (Mrs) Office Manager Cook Islands News “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13 e tere@cookislandsnews w cookislandsnews p (+682) 22999 f (+682) 25303 PO Box 15 Rarotonga Cook Islands
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 18:57:40 +0000