The Cook Islands deputy prime minister says the government has every intention of speaking more with the people of Rarotonga about how to purify the island's water.
Mark Brown Photo: Phillipa Webb / Cook Islands News
By the end of the year Rarotonga's multi-million-dollar reticulation system is due to be commissioned, but there is debate about how, or whether, the water should be purified.
There is opposition to a government preference to use chlorine and this week a petition is being launched by community group, Te Vai Ora Maori, calling for open and fair discussions on all the options.
Mr Brown said they are more than happy to consult further.
"We have held 12 public meetings so far around Rarotonga in regards to the purification of the water and the government intends to hold more meetings as required, to inform people on the recommendations that have come forward and to hear from the people what form of purification they think would work on Rarotonga."