The Speaker of the Cook Islands parliament, Nikki Rattle, says those with concerns about the new Rarotonga/Aitutaki water systems can voice these in new select committee consultations.
Te Vai Ora Maori members Justine Flanagan and Imogen Ingram hand Clerk of Parliament Tangata Vainerere the petition opposing the proposed chemical treatment of the Rarotonga water system. Photo: A Kirkwood
The To Tatou Vai bill, which will establish the authority to run the multi million dollar systems, has gone through its second reading and is now before a select committee.
This comes after a petition signed by hundreds of Rarotongans, raising concerns about the system was ignored by parliamentarians and not sent to a select committee, as required under standing orders.
Opponents of the systems, Te Vai Ora Maori, question the need to use chlorine to purify the water, along with other concerns.
The group has also voiced its opposition to the new legislation, saying it will give the new authority control over all fresh water sources on Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
They also say the authority is being set up to charge for water which it will undermine land rights and deny water access to residents with small agricultural operations.
Work on the Te Mato Vai water project in Rarotonga, Cook Islands Photo: Phillipa Webb / Cook Islands News
