The water intake at Papua (Wigmore’s waterfall) is easily accessed by all. There has been no significant rain for weeks. TTV (To Tatou Vai) is running constant media notices telling us how dire is our water shortage.

Dear Editor,

The water intake at Papua (Wigmore’s waterfall) is easily accessed by all. There has been no significant rain for weeks. TTV (To Tatou Vai) is running constant media notices telling us how dire is our water shortage.

Can the designers of this $120 million boondoggle, please, explain why there is water flowing over the weir at Papua, down the waterfall, and then to the lagoon?

It can’t be that the pipe is not open to the settling tank; one can hear the water pouring in.

The simple fact must be that the designers had no plan for severe drought that would assure that every drop of water coming off the mountain makes it into the system for use or storage.

Most of us recall that this project was touted as a world-first tripartite agreement with New Zealand China and the Cook Islands.

One would have thought that three brains are better than one. How sad that three brains are responsible for that water flowing to the lagoon while some families can’t flush the toilet.

Does TTV want to tell us — how many of the intakes other than Papua are presently “wasting” water?

(Name and address supplied)

To Tatou Vai’s reply:

Thank you for giving To Tatou Vai (TTV) an opportunity to reply to the letter you received after Saturday night’s rain.

The reason water is flowing over the weir in Papau and not elsewhere is because rain does not fall evenly over the island and consequently it is not uncommon for a catchment to be flush with water while others have little or none.

The reason not all of the water is captured is because the valleys are narrow and the size of the dams at the foot of catchments are consequently relatively small.

TTV was not involved in the construction of the new water facility. It manages it. However, it is aware the project is primarily focused on improvements in the quality of water rather than storage. TTV is looking at four possible sources of water reserves held from artesian wells. The only viable sources of storage in the quantities required are probably natural ones.

Water running down a stream is not wasted water. It sustains marine life, gives the waterfall its attraction for tourists and in many valleys supports sustenance to taro plantations. What is wasted water is leaving the tap on where the water is unproductive for anyone.

Once we were college students

Life begins with social conditioning. Once free from our nappies, we embark on the long journey of schooling, college and university studies. Some reached their mark early with no desire to overextend themselves and straight for the work force they went. The majority achieved life rewarding success. 

We all belong to the mother College of the Cook Islands; we are all proud members of the Tereora College Alumni. Many of us won scholarships to attend colleges in New Zealand and Fiji. From this group, we the past Northland college students formed a group to lunch every first Friday of the month to check on each other and attend to those who are sick. We have been operating now for three years. 

Now we have decided to extend the group to include all past students from the 1950s’ to about 1965 (for now, but can be extended!) of past Tereora College students. Our past is rich with success stories of four prime ministers, two dozen cabinet ministers, three dozen doctors, uncountable numbers of lawyers, accountants, nurses, teachers, tradesmen, etc.

Tereora College produced great track star athletes like June Taringa Baudinet, Ritia Toko Hosking, the late Marion Puri amongst the girls, then Tiki Matapo, the late Teokoitu Utia and Dr Rangiau Fariu as track athletics stars. This is just a short summary of it, we will hear the rest when we get together. We have today in Tupapa and Matavera the likes of Kopurei Anguna, Rau Nga, Tereu and Ngata Urirau, Teina Etches, Rangi Simiona and Tungane Tamarua, Tiki Matapo, Ruth Tixier Short, David Moeroa, Iriea Marearai, John Short, Annie Maoate and Pari Maoate of Titikaveka, from Arorangi – Mata Nooroa, Griffith Robati, Tangi Heather Estall, Avaiki Mataio and from Nikao – Aunty Mau, Mama Nikao (apologies for any omissions) and on Araura enua we have Tamatoa  Ariki, Teao Tangaroa.

We are holding a special Christmas function for us all at Mike Tavioni’s Four Winds restaurant in the back road at Atupa at 4pm on Saturday the 4^th of December! Mike will host us with a big umu of local food. He will be assisted by master chef Ukarau and the fabulous Tavioni ladies. Just come as you are with your spouses or friend. BYO drinks, BYO sober driver and come with a few coins in your pocket to help Mike and a little donation for our sick brothers and sisters unable to attend. The event starts at 4pm and stop when we stop. Look forward to meeting you all.

From Chief Mike Tavioni and Storming Norman

Co-ordinators Northland College, Tereora College and Affiliates Alumni Association.