Trouble in Paradise as the Cook Islands Struggle With Debt
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- Опубликовано: 22 окт 2007
- Heaven on Earth? (March 1997)
A disturbing report on how islanders found themself struggling for survival after foreigners bought their country's main assets.
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After years of borrowing, the government found itself with debts beyond its capacity. Fed up with bankrolling its former colony, New Zealand finally pulled the economic plug. Cook Islands' Prime Minister, Sir Geoffrey Henry denies embezzlement after the collapse of the Sheraton Hotel project, doubling the national debt. To recoup finance, the government laid off state workers and offloaded its most saleable assets to the highest bidders, invariably outsiders. Local businessman Norm Mitchell complains that he was never even given a chance to buy the Aitutaki Hotel. Intimidated by the authorities, his business partners are too frightened to appear before the camera. After losing his state job, Matunga turned to carving ukuleles for tourists. But when this failed to bring in enough money he decided to emigrate to Australia. But not all islanders feel the same: after 25 years in a government office, Nani feels liberated by her new job as tourist guide. But the rest of the population struggles to survive without the state wage which was once taken for granted.
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Produced by ABC Australia - Ref 0316
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures
every government ends up failing its people. So sad how greed kills the soul.
This is a terrible shame because the Cook Islands ARE heaven on earth. One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. The people don't deserve this; they're wonderful people despite the BS the government has pulled.
Kia Kaha Cookies. Be brave and stay strong fellow Cook Island Maori! I am both Aotearoa and Rarotongan Maori.Resprct from Aotearoa!
Aitutaki is the most beautiful place on earth i ve seen , so far. I stayed almost 1 month in two different stays in 2007 and 2010. i ve been to 40 countries but i ve never seen anything more beautiful than the water colours of honeymoon island in front of maina island in the lagoon. the second most beautiful spot is One Foot island beach. the atmosphere is extremely relaxed too, in the village and while driving\walking around(the mountain top and the semi small forest\jungle around and it s so green) and the local food is amazing too. It's like living in another dimension, another planet, of course if you re a local you also see the other side but believe me Aitutaki is amazing
Thank you for sharing this outstanding documentary! We lived relatively nearby in Western Samoa in the mid-80s. I loved reliving the nature aspects of your little film. The big blue ocean and the juicy coconuts.. that part is definitely " heaven on earth " . May God bless you and your ministry work! Amen.
Im from PukaPuka....! My peeps are dying out and leavin the island. We're dangerously underpopulated.
aitutaki what a beautiful... I'm half aitutaki from the village vaipae. I want to go there one day
I hope that things are improving for the people its sad to see the people suffering they need to take care of themselves the Cook Island people are so lovely and precious God bless them all with abundance, prosperity and love Arohanui x
The only thing I can see they need to be blamed for is naivety of guaranteeing a developers pipe dreams. From what I know, the developer was able to put himself into receivership back in Australia aware the Cook Islands will have to resultantly pay back his loan after he skips off with a large chunk of it. Wheres the video showing how this developer and his family still live in their big mansion and goto private schools and take o'seas holidays each year while an entire nation suffered.
He said theirs no corruption but their is corruption its just that we dont see it.
I remeber when all this happen ..the country when under and heaps of Cook Islands went over sea to Australia and NZ....
Geoffrey Henry is so funny when he says...Good Luck..hes right though Good Luck lol
What's the name of the beautiful song at the start of the documentary? Thank you.
Wow they must have learned well from USA government and British government
Using words to cover up obvious corruption, try talking your way out of hell.
It's too bad that this has happened. I guess outsiders with greed were hoping to make money from these people. There are too many greedy people in this world. Money comes first in the minds of many outsiders. There was a complete lack of values from people who don't come from these islands. It would have been best had these islands never been discovered by outsiders. They have ruined these islands with their greed, selfishness, and hypocrisy.
ezy for someone getting a mean pay packet to sit and wade out the hard times unfortunately that aint gonna feed those with no money Henry.
So sad to see
Gotta agree with you there. As far as I know my family isn't struggling,but I know people that are. And I hate when we sell off our land! I don't pay much attention when my parents talk work or politics or any of that stuff, so I don't know much about the economic condition of our country, but hey I'm still basically a kid. But I am proud of my country and my people, except for government when they do stuff like this.
This still hurts to watch in 2020