Gifts, Travel n Conflicts of Interest - OFC
Fudge I hate these type of lazy cultural comments, reeking of nepotism. And I know a lot of people in the Island community despise them as well.
The Samoan rugby team, went on strike against their own administrators a few years ago, as they weren't getting paid, but all sorts of hangers on - were getting free gifts, trips etc.
Nicholas, who moved from Auckland back to his homeland of Rarotonga after he resigned from his OFC position, did however comment last year in a statement to the Cook Islands News.
In it, the newspaper reported, Nicholas said he had received no personal benefit from any payment or transactions, except for an unpaid unfair which he did not know was unpaid.
"If the payments that I approved for officials within OFC for medical expenses, life events or funerals of which were approved by the OFC Board is bribery and corruption then I would do it again without hesitation since under our Pacific Culture and Custom, the welfare of our community has to be paramount," the statement said.