Water is one of the most essential resources we have, required by everyone in order to stay alive. This present Cook Islands Coalition Government thinks that it is their right to charge for water to those who elected them into office, writes Michael Tavioni BEM.

In 1996, the total population of the Cook Islands was 19,000 people. Previously it had reached 21,000 people at one point.

When the residential population of the Cook Islands was at these levels there was always adequate water supply, freely available. In the case of Rarotonga, the Ariki of the time made a promise to the people that the water – which is essential to life – would be free to the people forever. All the costs of the water infrastructure and running costs were adequately covered by the various taxes that the government took from the people.

Today, the Government by the people for the people is determined to tax (bill) the people on water usage. The government is still determined to charge its “boss”, the people, for water, in spite of the fact that today there is about a third less people remaining within the country.

Water is one of the most essential resources we have, required by everyone in order to stay alive. This present Cook Islands Coalition Government thinks that it is their right to charge for water to those who elected them into office!

Politicians come and politicians go, and what they leave behind can enhance or destroy their legacy. You local politicians are so inadequate that you are still so very much dependent on foreigners for advice. You have no conscience and you are oblivious to the welfare of those who made you government.

There are many landowners in the Takuvaine Valley and the Avana Valley and I am one of those landowners. My advice to you the Cook Islands Government is that the day you start charging my people for water, I suggest that you send someone to disconnect my water from coming to my home. There is no way that I am going to pay you for water that belongs to me.

Why is the government putting the pressure on to charge for water usage – which refers to the volume each person uses – is it a question of demand and supply?

If it is a question of supply, it is not the locals’ fault. It is because of the tourist industry and other industries. So in reality, who should be paying for the water?

All tourist accommodations have water, showers, pools, etc., for the convenience of tourists. So why shouldn’t the tourist providers be forced to pay for those conveniences?

Obviously, the greater requirement for water is the tourist industry.

Suggestion – create an arrival tax for tourists that is payable per tourist, like the departure tax we used to pay at the airport. Then we would also have more value for the Cook Islands birth stamps that we were all forced to get in our passports to prove we are citizens of our country.

For argument’s sake, if there are 100,000 tourists arriving every year and the arrival tax is $50, then the total amount earned by government would be $5 million per year.

This amount is more than enough to pay for To Tatou Vai’s more than $2 million in annual wages and servicing for their too-many vehicles – as well as the cost of providing quality water to the public.

If we allow charges to be brought in which force our citizens of the Cook Islands to pay for water, what might our future generations have to put up with? When do the charges increase? When do they stop? Will water be sold off like a commodity when it is a God-given right for our people?

Anyhow, there is a time to legislate and there is a time to de-legislate.

So – to those of our people who are concerned I am sure that free water for one’s decent life will be or should be an issue, if not a major issue in the next election.

In order to maintain your precious life, vote for those who will promise to remove the legislation regarding the tax on water, plus other legislation which has a detrimental effect on our people’s lives.

• Mitaera Ngatae Teatuakaro Michael Tavioni BEM, born 1947, is a Cook Islands artist and writer. A master carver, he has been described as a taonga (treasure). Tavioni was educated at Tereora College, then at Northland College, Kaikohe and Massey University in New Zealand, graduating with a degree in Agriculture and Horticulture. After working as a public servant in the Agriculture Department, he became a full-time artist. In 2019 he graduated with a Master of Fine Arts from Auckland University of Technology. In the 2022 Birthday Honours he was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the arts and to the community.