Bishop Tutai Pere

Village / Islands you are from: Ureia, Aitutaki

Community affiliations: Religious Advisory Council

1. Tell us something about yourself?

I am currently a Fulltime Senior Pastor of the Apostolic Church of the Cook Islands. Previously, I was Diocesan Bishop over the entire South Pacific Pentecostal Oneness Apostolic Churches, serving 11 years in total. I have served in the Ministry fulltime for approximately 40 years. I attended Araura Primary School from 1957 to 1961. My junior high school years, I attended Aitutaki Junior High School from 1962 to 1963. My college years, I attended Tereora College from 1964 to 1969. In 1971, I attended Takamoa Theological College. I then went on to attend Knox Theological College in Dunedin, New Zealand from 1972 to 1976. From 1977 to 1981, I attended Otago University in Dunedin, New Zealand, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Phenomenology of Religions. In 1981 to 1988, I was ordained a fulltime Reverend of the Cook Islands Christian Church CICC at Titikaveka. In 1988, I was ordained a fulltime Pastor of the Apostolic Church of the Cook Islands, forward 30 years later, I am still the Fulltime Pastor of the Apostolic Church.

2. Why did you say yes to being an Advisory Committee member?

In 2013, I was a member of the very first Advisory Committee. I would like to be involved once again in our Cook Islands Seabed Minerals future endeavours and enterprises.

3. How will you engage with the community regarding the seabed minerals sector?

Public consultation on the seabed minerals sector is of utmost importance. My leadership and public speaking skills are avenues that I can utilise in spreading the word to as many people as I can, and to the best of my knowledge.

4. What are the challenges you think you will face as a Committee member?

In our Cook Island waters and further afield in the South Pacific region, there has been a lot of interest expressed in the deep seabed minerals (SBM) activities. SBM is a hot topic, with discussions around the pros and cons of environmental and eco-system impacts. I see this as but only a fear of the untapped depth of the unknown, surrounded by sacred taboos, superstition and lack of faith in our God-given human good stewardship capability and ingenuity. I have great faith and confidence in what our Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority have done thus far, including:

1. Establishing governing legislations, policies;
2. Enabling the conduct and collection of research data on SBM;
3. Setting up a licensing process for further SBM explorations. With God on our side, who can be against us, if for the economic benefit of our entire nation and people of our beloved Cook Islands

5. What are you looking forward to in the future for seabed minerals sector?

We can become Masters of our own Cook Islands Christian Heritage and Destiny. If handled right and well, its economic potential and wealth will bring back home our 100,000 Cook Islanders. They will no longer be strangers in their current diaspora foreign lands, and will come home to stay. We will no longer be borrowers or debtors to overseas lenders. We will become self-sufficient, self-sustained. With our faith in our God, who promises to bless our Cook Islands nation, to no longer be at the tail end but at the head, not beneath but above, no more a borrower but a lender. What an awesome legacy to leave behind for our children, grandchildren and future generations to come. If Arab countries can enjoy the wealth and prosperity of their God-deposited oil mines, then why are we lacking faith to also not tap into our one and only God-given and God-deposited SBM wealth potential right within our Exclusive Economic Zone and beneath our very feet. God bless the Cook Islands.

George George Williamson

Village / Islands you are from: Rarotonga (Avatiu / Nikao / Arorangi), Aitutaki, Manihiki, Rakahanga, Palmerston Island

Community affiliations: Sports Representative

• President of the Cook Islands Prostate Cancer Foundation
• President of the Cook Islands Body Building Federation
• Involved in a lot of Community and Religious Activities – usually as a Master of Ceremony.

1. Tell us something about yourself?

I was born on July 18th 1957. I was raised by my maternal grandparents on the island of Aitutaki. In 1967 I came to Rarotonga as a 10 year old to attend Avarua & Nikao Primary schools. In 1971 I attended Tereora College before heading off to the Survey School at the Honiara Technical Institute in the Solomon Islands. After qualifying as a Surveyor I came back to Rarotonga & worked for the Lands & Survey Department and later formed a Private Company – Cook Islands Topographical Survey. In 1990 I started working for CITC as their Keybrands Manager and am fortunate to now be one of their longest serving employees.

2. Why did you say yes to being an Advisory Committee member?

Some 40 years ago in the late 70’s I went on an Ocean Expedition with the late Tony Utanga, mapping our Cook Islands EEZ waters and exploring the richness we have on the bottom of our Cook Islands Ocean Basin. Today, I see some of those work that Tony and I have done, and would like to be part of the next stage of this great journey / adventure!

3. How will you engage with the community regarding the seabed minerals sector?

My strengths and talents lies in the field of public speaking, sports commentary, I am also the radio host of the popular CITC Karangaranga Talk-back Show. I can use this to further engage with our people on SBM issues. Television presentations and interviews are areas that I’m comfortable to engage in with our community. Although I seem to give credit to my sense of ‘listening-more’ than ‘talking!’

4. What are the challenges you think you will face as a Committee member?

I think it will be minimal in my case, as I am one of those that welcomes challenges and wouldn’t take a backward step. However I see those that object all the time to issues like SBM, but don’t bring forward solutions!

5. What are you looking forward to in the future for seabed minerals sector?

It would primarily be for our people to benefit from this venture. That the richness and prosperity of our very own seabed minerals in our very own EEZ will be enjoyed by our very own people. I want us to have the latest modern technologies so we can stay in touch with the rest of the world. I envision better health care, modern medical centre’s & hospitals. Better education, better roads, better access to the Outer Islands (shipping, airlines etc). As envisioned by the late Papa Sir Arapati Henry, that one day we will reap the benefits of our deep ocean so we as Cook Islands people can have a “Better & Prosperous Lifestyle

Teaoakamaru Mariri-Tepou

Village / Islands you are from: Ngaputoru (Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro), Vaka Te Au o Tonga and Vaka Takitumu

Community affiliations: Youth Representative

• National Secretary for the CICC Youth Department
• Young Pacific Leaders Alumini Committee
• Chairlady, Avarua School Parents Teachers Association (PTA)
• Chairlady, Rarotonga Youth Council
• Chairlady, Ngatangiia Christian Youth
• President, Muri Christian Youth
• Ngatangiia Girls Brigade Company
• Youth Leader, Takitumu Youth Group

1. Tell us something about yourself?

Currently serving with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with extensive experience in administration, management, and consumer services within the public sector, complemented by a background in event and tourism operations in the private sector. Demonstrates strong communication skills in both Cook Islands Māori and English, alongside a proven commitment to youth development and community leadership.

2. Why did you say yes to being an Advisory Committee member?

Recognizes the importance of economic diversification for the Cook Islands and the need to reduce reliance on the tourism sector. Sees the seabed minerals sector as a strategic opportunity for national development and is committed to building knowledge, contributing meaningfully to the sector, and supporting informed community awareness. Driven by the principle: “If there is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference, it is a responsibility to act.”

3. How will you engage with the community regarding the seabed minerals sector?

Committed to actively engaging with communities by sharing knowledge, fostering open dialogue, and supporting greater public understanding of the seabed minerals sector. Aims to serve as a bridge between technical processes and community perspectives to ensure inclusive and informed participation.

4. What are the challenges you think you will face as a Committee member?

Acknowledges the responsibility and scrutiny associated with the role, including the need to provide balanced, well-informed, and transparent perspectives on complex and evolving issues within the seabed minerals sector.

5. What are you looking forward to in the future for seabed minerals sector?

Looks forward to contributing to the responsible development of the seabed minerals sector as part of the Cook Islands’ economic future. Envisions opportunities for sustainable growth, including employment, education, and entrepreneurship, that will benefit current and future generations.

Sam Napa

Village / Islands you are from: Rarotonga

Community affiliations: Aronga Mana Representative

• Sailing Cook Islands President
• House of Ariki – Executive Member
• CI Voyaging Society (Former Exec)

1. Tell us something about yourself.

My mother is Pa Ariki from Takitumu. My grandfather is the late Tinomana Napa, my dad is one of his sons. I spent most of my childhood in Puiakura. I went to Aorangi school, later on in life I worked in the hotel industry. I am currently the President of the Sailing Cook Islands, have been for the last two years. I am also a member of the Voyaging Society. I am passionate about developing sailing through the whole of the Cook Islands for our young people; and also trying to perpetuate traditional navigation and getting interest from all our people. I am also part of the executive for the House of Ariki. I have quite a lot of affiliation with a lot of the community groups traditionally and culturally

2. Why did you say yes to being an Advisory Committee member?

I was on one of the excursions with Ocean Minerals Limited (OML). I spent time learning about what the industry is all about from them. I was excited about being on that cruise. I wanted to be a part of this industry when it had its first excursion. When one of the papas shared with me their views on seabed minerals, he said the research came back from the Japanese back in those days; he was encouraging the Government of the day to gauge this industry but they didn’t, the focus was on Tourism. The research came back from these cruises showed that there were a lot of minerals sitting on the ocean floor, which could mean solid wealth for the country hence I’m on the Advisory Committee.

3. How will you engage with the community regarding the seabed minerals sector?

Because I’m part of Sailing Cook Islands and part of the Voyaging society, I do talk to our people about this and with me being on the executive of the House of Ariki, they call a lot of meetings to discuss issues and what’s going on, hence this will be the avenue to discuss these matters. This is how I feel we get the word out about seabed minerals.

4. What are the challenges you think you will face as a Committee member?

If you are not prepared for the information or if you don’t absorb the info about SBM – starting from both the pros and cons that will be a challenge but if you get all the info and absorb it and understand it and how to present it and understand what’s happening around the world. The challenge is having the information and being passionate about getting on board this new seabed minerals industry.

5. What are you looking forward to in the future for seabed minerals sector?

For the industry to grow and develop. To get our young people to see career opportunities, to show them the pathway to this industry. This industry is huge and it’s not only going out there to get the minerals, it will have a flow on effect on other industries, for example on agriculture, creating a demand for growers produce. It will affect IT, the automotive industry etc. If our Government handles it well to create this industry to the point where our young people can be a part of it (eg Marine biologists or related fields) we can probably take this industry to another level and generate sovereign wealth for our country and not just be dependent on tourism