Dear Editor, Pardon me Mr Editor! Starting with the thought to write this letter comes with mix emotions and believe me, if any reader can understand my point, then Amen and God Bless your hearts. Let me begin by advising you all that I will be signing off as a ‘Landowner’ as this reflects to personal conflicts towards the organisation involved – To Tatou Vai.

As a Landowner on one of the seven Water Catchments Committees, a very much passionate, born and raised Cook Islander, I have earned my right to speak about the ongoing issues surrounding the proposal of water tariff by the Government.

Believe me, as a Landowner on the Catchment Committee, Government did not buy our lands to install these catchment plants but landowners warranted Government to take our land because we saw the benefit this would do for our future generation, for our country. I need you all to know this!

The point I am considering here – landowners, you have the right to override this proposal. You and I have the right to call Government and say ‘why do we not have a voice?’ We demand for that voice as you have not paid for our lands.

Or are we with the      Government’s plan without a voice because my heart says neither, yet, until we are satisfied with the Government’s intentions regarding the tariff.

We have a very powerful group of landowners on these committees and believe me, we have some serious hot heads with strong views towards protecting our lands. We the landowners have the ultimate right to speak and the final decider.

The main point I need to put across here is, TTV has misled the public altogether concerning the proposed tariff idea. I understood that after the meter data are completed, installed around the entire island, TTV will spend couple of years to monitor the water systems and such, then impose tariff fees.

The proposal for tariff charges was a key focus towards the commercial dwellings and not our private home dwellings. The petitions and social media critics make a lot of sense, especially those who are opposing imposing these fees so suddenly. TTV is failing to fulfil their mandates, and don’t send me a lawyer to explain because lawyers are paid to win it.

We all need to understand the reality that we are facing and that is how would our future look with the current high cost of living and yet we place ourselves into more debt because our Government wants to use our free land to make more money by charging our families with children for these costs.

Average wage/salary earners suffer most, and when they do, the economy suffers too. Therefore, as a Landowner, I don’t want to be part of the decision Government is imposing on our people.

My main point here is more discussions should take place with the landowners of these catchment, not just the public or your mates. I am not denying the fact that we shouldn’t have free water, I am claiming the fact that there needs to be more time and discussions on the tariff costs and a better way to apply this considering our living condition, especially the cost of living.

Please consider it’s important to protect our children’s interest, their wellbeing and the reason why the Government is responsible to all, not only those who have $$$$, but to those who are most vulnerable.

Someone is responsible, and if you are going to respond, I ask the public to give me a thumbs up.

Te Atua Te Aroa, Landowner, (Name and address supplied)

Response

I refer to the letter from the landowner who is on a catchment committee.

TTV’s most important stakeholder is the landowners of the catchments. Unlike other countries the land Rarotonga derives water from is not publicly held. It is privately owned.

The writer of the letter is absolutely correct. Landowners have made a sacrifice.  They have voluntarily placed restrictions on their land to ensure the quality of the water is not compromised.

The statute provides that through the catchment committees the landowners themselves will be the persons who manage these limitations on use on their own land.

TTV commissioned an expert to produce a tariff report. The Cook Islands News published an article to say it was TTV’s report. If that is to say TTV commissioned it the answer is “yes”. If that is to say TTV agrees with it the answer is “yes to the underlying principles of tariffing but no to all the recommendations”.

After the release of the tariff report the first large meeting held was with the catchment committee. That meeting was a good meeting.  Those who attended made constructive comments. Also, our statement of corporate intent was sent to the catchment committees and some very useful comments were received.

The whole purpose of public consultation was not to impose the report on the public but to get feedback from the public on it. The most recent has been from former KPMG accountant Mike Carr. Almost all of the feedback has been sensible and informative.

A tariff is essential to give water value and to encourage conservation.  However, it is also the objective for TTV to become self-funding. Balanced against this is an obligation to be fair in setting the tariff. 

There is also a safety net allowing the Government to step in to help domestic households. Affordability is a relevant factor for we can survive without telecommunications and electricity but none can live without water.

The writer of the letter has asked TTV on reading the letter to give them a thumbs up 👍.

Kind regards, Apii Timoti

Chief Executive Officer, To Tatou Vai Authority