In 2004 and 2005 cyclones damaged Mangaia’s harbor, and those on the island have been waiting for repairs to begin ever since.
The Cook Islands government has formed an infrastructure committee with the aim of developing Rarotonga and the outer-islands more efficiently.
The chairman of the committee, George Cowan, said they have finished the design and plan of the Mangaia harbor and the $1.3 million is now waiting on cabinet approval.
“In March next year, work should start there and hope to be completed by June,” he said.
Local government has already given us the clear to go ahead even if it’s going to be funded locally by the Cook Island government,” Cowan said.
The upgrade would go ahead regardless of NZ Aid funding, he added.
