Dear Editor, I just came across an article which I had kept and put aside, from Cook Islands News, September 13, 2022, titled “20+ years timeframe for award winning town plan”.

It depicts a development plan from CIIC (Cook Islands Investment Corporation) for the Avarua area going forward. At the time of reading this article, I wrote on it “how ridiculous”. Now rereading it almost a year later, and looking at the concept, I have no intention of changing my mind.

What really fascinates me about this is that presumably “real” engineers, and “real” town planners are the authors of this plan and no doubt are being extremely well remunerated for their inputs (taxpayers’ money!) Incredible! I see in the article that the CEO of CIIC fully endorses this plan and concept … “strategic thinking, and the integration of the environment, social imperatives…etc, etc.” Quite extraordinary! Clearly the CEO has never been in Avarua during a serious hurricane – Sally, 1987 would have been a good start, she came in SlamBam straight into the area where this amazingly naïve town plan is going to put a Marina, and other beautiful looking developments along that foreshore. And you guys think you can outwit Nature?

I suggest that your experts look at historical photos of these events, including shots of Trader Jacks, which is right next door to these proposed developments, and was right in the middle of that hurricane and maybe take note … it might just change your mind. There is no way that any development on that Avarua Reef side will or should ever take place.

Mike Henry was chairman of CIIC at the time of this moemoe “a proposal”, he should know better, nature will not bend! I find it amazing that so much time, and no doubt huge amounts of money, are being spent on concepts like this and that an international body should actually endorse this plan and concept with a prize, clearly shows their naivety and lack of understanding of local climatic conditions, and which are apparently just going to get more severe. 

Andy Olah