The island of Rarotonga is divided into 3 vaka or districts; Te Au o Tonga, Puaikura and Takitumu and each of these districts has a paramount chief or chiefs depending on which district you come from. These divisions were established some 700 years ago by the renowned ancestor Tangiia to which most Cook Islanders relate to by bloodlines. These districts are further divided into 80 Tapere or villages which are generally headed by a Mataiapo or village chief. Emigration to NZ or Australia for work since the 1970s has had a profound effect on the Tapere with many Tapere without traditional leaders or Mataiapo as the émigré?s never returned. Tapere Avatiu is a mix of aged, unemployed, youth, young families, recent immigrants and returning Cook Islanders. Potable water for many Tapere is derived from water catchment areas in the mountainous parts of the island which is delivered by gravity through the aging water reticulation system which is currently being upgraded. Tapere Avatiu villagers like many of the Tapere do not have ready access to potable water from the aging water reticulation system, no filters, their homes have no proper connections into the water system, water is not collected off the roofs for many as they do not have spouting or the money to pay for this and therefore have to rely on the closest Tapere water station to fill their bottles for their daily needs. The government has embarked on a ?water tank? for all and only those who can afford a tank even subsidized are having their tanks connected to the new water reticulation system currently under construction. Very little thought has gone into encouraging Tapere to spout their roofs and using the runoff diverted into these tanks to collect and store the water for use.

This proposal is very much a community based project and clear, clean drinking water is a very significant element in our daily needs. To progress this initiative the Tapere formed a village committee to manage all manner of issues facing the village including seeking funds to establish a Tapere water station centrally located for use by other Tapere adjacent. At present our Tapere Avatiu does not have a public clean drinking water station that will cater to over 65% of the homes which do not have proper water filtering systems. This is a high priority in our Tapere; many of our residents fetch their drinking water from water stations outside of our Tapere. There is no major threat or environmental problem for this proposed project to be established in our community. The proposed location of the project is very central, will be developed where our Tapere Meeting House stands and very accessible to all, including persons with disabilities.
The whole section of land where our current Meeting House and Health Clinic now stand has been gifted to the Tapere and the landowners through their tribal head (Uritaua-i-Tai) and she has given her blessing for any community projects including this proposal to go ahead. Not only will our community residents benefit from this project, but it will also benefit those living outside of Tapere Avatiu, to come and obtain free clear, clean drinking water for personal consumption and domestic use. The first priority has been to visit the other Tapere and take the best ideas in their water station setups and then to develop and cost out our own water station using the best of those designs.

Once the SGP funded project is implemented we will be working with the GEF SGP to share best practice, identify what worked and what was challenging so that we can share our experience with other Tapere. This initiative we believe is an important transboundary International Waters initiative and meets the Cook Islands governments Te Kaveinga Nui or National Strategic Development Programme Goal 5 with its focus on resilient and sustainable communities, enhanced cultural and environmental values and well educated, healthy and productive people and communities.