I feel the need to continue addressing the issue of government charging tax on water, especially on the local people and the food producers of Rarotonga, writes Michael Tavioni BEM.

Water is one of the few most essential elements necessary to perpetuate life in all living things. When a government or people of authority place a monetary value on water, that act automatically diminishes the unmeasurable value of that resource.

I say to the government, voted for by we the people to be the custodians of this nation’s assets, you must refrain from legalising monetary charges on water.

Again, I am posing the question: ‘Why are you trying to put a tax on water?’

Is it because your American advisor has convinced you that the people of this country should pay for water because he says the Cook Islands is the only country that does not charge people for water?

Or is it a question of insufficient water because of excessive demand?

The local people plus the farmers of this island have always used the water which they owned, because it came from their mountains and their valleys.

Our people have always used our land to sustain ourselves for as long as I can remember, with water use not being an issue at all. Our farmers have continuously worked the land in their effort to make a living and to enhance the country’s food security.

The boost in the tourism industry is responsible for the increased demand for water – there is no doubt about that and please do not create another excuse.

At this point however, I would like to say that it is a waste of time for the farmers and those of the tourism industry to argue as to which uses the most water. Instead the focus should be on ways to increase the water storage capacity of this island so that the requirements of all sectors of the community can be satisfied.

If the real issue is inadequate supply and high demand for water, then the government should make it law that all tourist accommodations install back-up water tanks at their own expense.

The government must also help the farmers by installing water tanks and digging wells to ensure that they have adequate water for their farming requirements. For the food-producing sector, the cost of water tanks and wells must be financed by the government because it will help resolve many related national problems, as well as helping to reduce government expenditure in some sectors in the future. It is wise for government to do this because it is an investment and not a waste of money.

The farmers help produce import substitutions, help with food security, and help provide healthy food choices, which directly assists government efforts to reduce Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

According to an article in last week’s Cook Islands News, our government pays millions of dollars for direct healthcare to patients afflicted with NCDs. That is why collaboration between the farmers and the government is important for everyone. This small gesture can reduce the farmers’ demand on the island’s main water system and at the same time eliminate some of the government’s financial problems.

To all the farmers in this country, I say stand your ground and stay the course because your chosen occupation to produce food for your own sustenance and to supplement other people’s diets is some of the most honourable work a person can do.

From another angle, I cannot help being curious as to other possible reasons why the government is forced to tax people for water – not because of less supply and more demand.

I do not think it is unrealistic to suspect that they need an extra $2.2 million to pay for the annual requirements of chlorine, as well as the manpower, vehicles and other infrastructure required to facilitate the operation to chlorinate our water.

Some reports from other countries have revealed that the level of chlorine in their respective water systems can never be regulated properly and the benefit is hard to prove because scientists conflict with each other.

If the government needs extra money for chlorinating our water, then I am forced to say that I have never known of anyone who has died as a result of drinking our water here in Rarotonga.

Supposing there is no need to put chlorine in our water system? Then why is it being done?

Maybe someone decided that adding chlorine in our water system gives the Cook Islands an added plus as a tourist destination. In case this is the reason or part of the reason for taxing water, I still say that either way the tax should be confined to those people and accommodations who profit from the tourist industry.

The ordinary local homestead has one toilet and shower – maybe some with two – and no swimming pool. Tourist accommodations have many toilets, showers and swimming pools – some well over 100 toilets and showers.

Our people are not the ones applying pressure on the water resource, so do not penalise us. Be proactive in determining other ways to ensure adequate and sustainable water supply.

I salute those of our people who are petitioning our government to stop the legislation of the tax on water. But in my experience, government has never responded satisfactorily to any petition in past years and I will not be surprised if they just push this present petition aside.

However, I will say to the organisers of the petition that this issue will continue and it needs people power. I also assure you that there are other ways to achieve your goals.

• Editor’s note – In January 2023, Prime Minister Mark Brown told Cook Islands News that Rarotonga’s main water supply would still not be fully potable for some time. It was never going to be potable until chlorination took place, he said. “This requires some public consultation …  We haven’t got a timeframe for that.”
• 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.