Minister back from Cooks

Press, 13 January 1987, Page 6

Minister back from Cooks

By

JOHN ARMSTRONG

NZPA staff correspondent Auckland The Minister of Customs, Mrs Shields, returned to Auckland late yesterday with damage assessments from the cy-clone-ravaged Cook Islands which she will report to the Cabinet next week. Flying back in the R.N.Z.A.F. Hercules that took her to Rarotonga on Saturday, she said she was also carrying a message of gratitude from the Prime Minister, Sir Tom Davis, for the speed with which New Zealand had responded to all requests

for priority aid. She will report on the need for additional assistance in replacing public service buildings severely damaged when water surged through coastal parts of the capital, Avarua, during the storm. New Zealand had recently undertaken an economic survey of the long-term development needs of the Cooks, Mrs Shields said. “This will certainly need to be redone as a result of the cyclone. There should be sufficient money in the existing aid programme to attend to long-term needs,” she

said. “The level of damage and the terrifying conditions which some people endured at the height of the cyclone were quite shocking.” However, the events had at the same time demonstrated the resilience of the Cook Island people and the generosity of the Polynesian community. “Already most superficial damage is cleared away. Crops ‘are being replaced and businesses are open again.”, To help co-ordinate the second phase of relief work, New Zealand had posted an Army liaison

officer, Major Howard Weddell, to work with other aid donor countries. Returning to New Zealand with Mrs Shields was the Cook Islands Minister of Works, Mr Raymond Pirangi. His daughter has been receiving medical treatment in New Zealand and he had broken his leave to return to the Cooks because of the hurricane and is now rejoining his family in Auckland. Also returning were some New Zealand military personnel and Government officials rushed into the Cooks immediately after. Cyclone Sally struck.