As the Leader of the Opposition in our beautiful Cook Islands, I see my role as a steersman, navigating our socioeconomic ship through the complex currents of modern development. Buckle up, folks, as I share a yarn on the path towards robust, sustainable, and inclusive growth.
Let’s envision our economy as a vibrant marketplace. Everyone should have the right to set up their stall, whether it’s grandma selling her famous ei katu or cousin Tereapii launching his digital startup. But does everyone get a fair chance? That’s the million-dollar (or New Zealand dollar) question.
It’s no secret that while we’ve been busy building our tourism industry, some other sectors have been left lurking in the shadows. Our focus has been more on stacking the blocks high rather than exhaustive. But if this pandemic taught us anything, we can’t put all our papaya in one basket.
Let’s shift gears. Imagine an economy that’s as diverse as the fish in our lagoons. An economy that respects the environmental heritage we’ve been bestowed with and leaves no one behind. Sound like a pipe dream? Well, hold onto your ei’s!
Our islands are rich, not just in terms of our culture and natural beauty but also in terms of the untapped potential of our people. We need to invest in our human capital, broaden our industrial spectrum, and nurture the small and medium enterprises that serve as the backbone of our economy.
As the Leader of the Opposition, I am committed to ensuring our socioeconomic development is as vibrant as our Te Maeva Nui celebrations. Our policy debates should resonate with the beats of our drums, and every Cook Islander should be invited to this dance.
We need to pave the path for robust economic growth that is both sustainable and inclusive. Let’s shape an economy as resilient as our Marae Moana, as diverse as our coral reefs, and as inclusive as our island hospitality.
We’re all in the same vaka here. It’s time to row harmoniously towards a future where economic progress does not leave anyone adrift. Buckle up, my friends, as we embark on this journey towards the socioeconomic sunrise of the Cook Islands.