Plans are in place for Ngatangiia and Muri to revive their police post and build public toilets, but both projects depend on funding, according to their Member of Parliament, Tukaka Ama.

Muri in Ngatangiia is a major contributor to the Cook Islands tourism sector, but lacks public toilets and police supervision.

In an interview with Cook Islands News, MP Ama emphasised that these projects were only a few of the many plans he was initiating, highlighting the importance of infrastructure improvements, particularly in Muri, to benefit both tourists and locals.

“I have a couple in the pipeline. Like I said, there’s public toilets to be looked at, there is the police station here that I’m looking at to be set up, the community police road, marking all those things,” said Ama, a first time MP who was elected at the 2022 general election.

“These things will benefit our people. Muri is one of the biggest tourism sectors in the country, so it’s important that the infrastructure in our community is looked after, upgraded, not only for the tourists but for our people as well.”

Ama also mentioned the completion of a previously poor road and their plans for a foreshore project, funded potentially by climate change grants.

“One big one has been this road here at the beginning. This was one of the worst roads around in place we complained about. I came in and I pushed for it, and it’s done, and I’m happy that it’s done, and I think it’s benefited everyone,” he said.

“I said right from the start, this road is not only for the tourists, it’s for the people of Muri and for the people of the island as well.

“So that’s one of them, this road, and also the access to the backroads inland. And of course, my next big project is this one (police and public toilets), and working on our foreshore. I’m hoping that there’s some money from climate change for the population of Muri.”

Owner of the famous Juice Bar in Muri, Chris Denny. TALAIA MIKA/24091110

Chris Denny, who runs the Juice Bar in Muri, welcomed the initiative highlighting that crimes have slowly started increasing again since the police presence decreased in the communities.

“Implementing the police back in the community again will be a benefit for the community. Police security is always important deterring crime especially with our youth, there’s got to be something there to deter them from doing crimes in the area,” said Denny, who ran security patrol service, Cook Islands Security.

“We also need the police to control the traffic in the area as well. So just seeing a little bit more of the police presence in the community will benefit all of us.”

Denny also highlighted the need to bring back the patrol services on the island which stopped over a year ago as crimes are slowly increasing again.

“It would be good for the police to get out there and provide some presence in the communities so we look forward to having more police in our communities,” he added.

Meanwhile, MP Ama highlighted the focus on community well-being and development through various projects he has earmarked to benefit over 800 of the voting population of Muri.

At the donation of defibrillator kits to the Ngatangiia community by the Toku Nei Ora’anga Ora and Mana Tiaki Ngatangiia organisation on Tuesday in Muri, Ama explained his initiatives for the community.

“I wish that we will never have to use this (defibrillator) and as a member of our men’s group that supports men’s health, I’m really happy that they’ve come up with this to help our community,” he added. “But more so, the bigger picture for me is there’s other projects in the village that need attending to, and this is one of many I’m happy with.”