The joint New Zealand-Chinese project to repair the country’s deteriorating water network, Te Mato Vai, is the largest infrastructure project in Cook Islands history, but it has been plagued by rising prices and dubious construction.
Ioana Turia relies on water stations surrounding Rarotonga that have undergone UV treatment.
For our family, especially the younger members, clean, safe drinking water is important, she said.
Te Mato Vai, which was launched ten years ago, was lauded as the solution since the water network needs to be replaced.
But it wasn’t simple.
The initiative has received a $15 million grant from New Zealand.
The pipes were laid by a Chinese civil engineering and construction business, which also provided a low-interest loan of about $21 million.
However, a leak after the 55km of pipe had been installed by the Chinese government-owned business forced an independent examination, which discovered another 17km was problematic.
These pipes needed to be removed and reinstalled.
The Cook Islands government threatened legal action when the business denied the pipeline was defective.
However, given the fact that both parties have decided to abandon the case, it now seems that this is off the table.
The primary network is currently functioning properly, however there is discussion about the water treatment process and its cost, which has increased to $90 million.
According to Rebecca Tavioni, president of the Cook Island Chamber of Commerce, the number is rising.
The speed at which that number varies, rather than the overall size of that amount, is what worries her, she said.
Important Cook Islands water project continues despite problems
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