ISSUE NO: 12 Volume II

 

From the Premier’s Office,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that we have settled the issues of re-electing the Speaker, myself as the Premier, the oath taking ceremony for the 20 members of the Fono Ekepule, the Cabinet Ministers and the Niue Public Service Commission, may I take this opportunity to congratulate and thank everyone for the generous support that I have received and I look forward with my Ministers to work with you for the good of our nation.

 

I could not have done or have achieved much on my own and I have found the support overwhelming thanks to all of you, and especially the members of the Caucus. The majority support that I received to remain the Leader of our Government showed solidarity in our Fono Ekepule and I thank you, Oue tulou, Fakaaue lahi mahaki!

 

I have since made many important decisions, made under advisement and consultation with Caucus and the Members of Cabinet, but the proverbial cake of the state can only be cut into a finite number of pieces – regrettably not everyone gets the same size or shape or share of responsibilities that are available. I hope that I have made the right decisions even if they are not the most popular ones that would satisfy everyone.

 

Yesterday I met with the Heads of our Public Service to formally introduce the Members of Cabinet and their initial portfolio responsibilities and to remind everyone of their obligations to the Ministers, their duties and their accountability to the government and to the people and that the key to achieving our objectives lies in working together.

 

We are very fortunate in that for the next six weeks we will have the benefit of 130 personnel from the New Zealand Defence Force who have undertaken to help with our community, private sector and government projects. I hope that we will be cooperative and helpful in assisting where we can because we will be the beneficiaries of their work. I would like to thank the Government of New Zealand and the NZDF for this gesture of goodwill.   

 

This weekend I will be in Samoa to talk with the Executives of Polynesian Airlines on an important matter regarding the direct flights between Niue and Auckland. This is an important issue because we will need the continued benefits of an air service that we have enjoyed in the last two years.  

 

PRESS RELEASE

From the Premier’s Department

Public Relations Office

 

 

Premier Vivian announces new Cabinet Ministers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Barely two day after the oath taking ceremony in which Premier Vivian was re-elected for the next three years, a full complement of Cabinet Ministers was announced.

 

“It is my pleasure and my privilege to announce the three Cabinet Ministers who with me will lead the government for the next three years,” Premier Vivian announced in his first public address to the nation. “Hon Fisa Pihigia, Hon Bill Motufoou and Hon Va’ainga Tukuitoga have formally agreed to accept the positions of Cabinet Ministers.”

 

The decision was not reached without soul searching by the Premier who is mandated to make his selection without consulting Caucus. “I was given the prerogative of choosing my own team on Ministers whom I know will work closely together to discuss and make important government decisions,” he explained. “Caucus has made it clear that it will be up to me to choose my own team and whomever I have chosen they will be right behind me in support.”

 

Premier Vivian had hinted during the numerous discussions with his Caucus supporters that he would like to appoint all of them as Cabinet Ministers a sentiment similarly shared by the group but the Constitution has allowed for only three Ministers to manage the necessary administration of the government and its services.

 

The last woman to be made a Cabinet Minister was Mrs Tauveve Jacobsen during Mr Frank Fakaotimanava Lui’s administration that ended in 1999. Mrs Tukuitonga, the new Cabinet Minister is no stranger to the Cabinet decision making processes and being an Associate Minister Mrs Tukuitonga has often been requested to stand in when the Minister is absent and her past performances are testimony to her ability and to her suitability. “The presence of a woman Minister will add a new dimension to decisions being made in Cabinet. “Our women are grossly underrepresented in the Fono Ekepule and in the Fono Ikipule,” [Cabinet Ministers] Mrs Tukuitoga said, “after all we do make up half the voting population.”

 

Niue Foou, on behalf of its readers congratulates Hon Tukuitonga on her new appointment.

 

Fakatufono Foou ha Niue

 

Premier: Mititaiagimene Young VIVIAN [a majority decision by the Fono Ekepule   

17-3]

 

Speaker: Mr Atapana SIAKIMOTU [a majority decision by the Fono Ekepule, 14-6]

 

Cabinet Ministers: [Portfolios to follow]

 

Premier Mititaiagimene Young Vivian

Hon Fisa PIHIGIA 

Hon Va’ainga TUKUITONGA 

Hon Bill MOTUFOOU

 
OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS:

 

Common Roll [first six duly elected in order of counted votes – final]

 

1.         Krypton OKESENE                    577

2.         Terry COE                                560

3.         O’Love JACOBSEN                  507

4.         Himalea TAKELESI                  405

5.         Michael Naea JACKSON           375

6=        Toke TALAGI                             374

6=.       Maihetoe HEKAU                      374      [defeated by lot drawn]

7.         Dr Hare PAKA                           311

8.         Ahohiva LEVI                            299

9.         Stanley TAFATU                        245

10.        Alan Tano PULEOTI                   210

11.        Taso TUKUNIU                          141

12.        Henry EVENI                             122

13.        Herman TAGALOAILUGA             97

Total number of votes                          831

 

VILLAGE ELECTION RESULTS

 

[Returned Uncontested in black:]

 

1. Fisa PIHIGIA                         Tuapa  

2. Jack Willie LIPITOA              Namukulu

3. Opili TALAFASI                    Hikutavake

4. Lilivika Muimatagi                  Toi [won drawn by lot]

5. Bill MOTUFOOU                    Mutalau

6. Kupa MAGATOGIA                Lakepa

7. Pokotoa SIPELI                    Liku

8. Young VIVIAN                      Hakupu

9. Talititama TALAITI                Vaiea

10. Billy TALAGI                       Avatele

11. Peter Eu FUNAKI                 Tamakautoga

12. Organ VILIKO                      Alofi South

13. Va’ainga TUKUITOGA           Alofi North

14. Tofua PULETAMA                Makefu

 

Public Relations Office

May 14th 2005

  

ALLOCATION OF MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

 

In accordance with Article 11(1) of the Constitution, on the allocation of Ministerial responsibilities, the Premier today, decided to re-allocate as follows, and to be effective as of the 18th May 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HON. MITITAIAGIMENE YOUNG VIVIAN

 

Legislative Assembly

Premier’s Department & Cabinet

Civil Aviation

Crown Law Office

Economic Planning Development & Statistics

External Affairs & Niueans Abroad

Niue Public Service Commission

Niue Broadcasting Corporation

Finance, Customs and Revenue

Police & National Security

Administration Department & National Training, Information Technology and Communication

Environment

Niue Tourism

Public Works – Civil & Quarry, Outside Services & Heavy Plant

Niue Development Bank

 

HON. FISA IGILISI PIHIGIA

 

Health

Community Affairs, Village Councils, Religious Affairs, Youth and Sports

Meteorological Services

Niue Power & Energy

Bulk Fuel

Disaster Management

 

HON. BILL VAKAAFI MOTUFOOU

 

Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries

Shipping, Investment & Trade

Post & Telecommunication

Business Sector

Immigration

Public Works Department – Building, Housing, and Water Supply

 

 

HON. VA’AIGA PAOTAMA TUKUITONGA

 

Education

Women’s Affairs

Taoga Niue & Culture

Justice, Lands & Survey

Niue High School students witnessing the Cabinet Ministers’ Ceremony

 

New Public Service Commission Appointed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While Mrs Malua Jackson retained her appointment as the titular Head of the Niue

NPCS new appointments, Mrs Malua Jackson [Chair] Rev Matagi Vilitama [middle] and John Tiakia [right]

 

Public Service, she will be assisted by two new appointments to administer the government’s Public Sector personnel.

 

Rev Matagi Vilitama [Pastor for Avatele Village] and Mr John Tiakia [former Member for Lakepa Village] will join Mrs Jackson. The appointments of the Public Service Commission have always been controversial.

 

“We have good reasons for the inclusion of an extra person,” Premier Vivian explained. “While we [the government] do not wish to take Rev Vilitama away from the pastoral services that he normally performs in his village, we are acutely aware of the spiritual dimension that he will add in his duties to the Public service. The Private Sector, NGOs and the Civil Sector will be the eventual beneficiaries of Rev Vilitama’s inclusion.”

 

In the same way, Mr John Tiakia is eminently suitable to represent Trades and related trades workers in the Public service sector. For too long this sector has been largely under-represented and have grievances that could be addressed by someone who is himself a tradesperson and whose sentiments are better understood.

 

Mrs Jackson [former Matron of the Niue Hospital] represents the professional and the office workers arm of the Niue Public Service. “She is also an active member of the community: a Sunday School Teacher, Village Youth supporter, Women groups and Health,” explained Premier Vivian. “Their being political appointments has no relevance to our decisions; we simply combined the special talents and expertise of all three Commissioners who will best serve our people in the most balanced and efficient way possible, and I would like to think that we have made good choices.”

 

The Public Service Commission hires, fires and addresses the grievances of the employees in the government services.

 

Children’s Playland on target to open this Friday

Willing hands are always welcome said John Kumitau

 

John Kumitau, the leader of the Tagata Niue Group who has been instrumental in organizing the construction of the said Playland for our children, is rapt with the local response to help with the project.

 

“The locals have been fantastic,” said Mr Kumitau. “The government, the Public Works, the members of the Fono Ekepule, the local men, women and children have been turning up and staying all day clearing rocks and debris, digging, planting things – it has been a hive of activity all this week. I am amazed and thankful to everyone who have made this project a reality.”

 

The new Playland is a memorial to Daniel and Cathy Alec who perished in the cyclone in January last year. Tagata Niue Group have been fundraising most of last year and with a substantial donation from NIUFM in Auckland together with Reef Shipping the Project has become a reality.

 

“The list of people who have helped with this is too long to be mentioned individually,” added Mr Kumitau. “The result will speak for itself when we officially open the facility on Friday afternoon with a “little party” to mark the occasion. I hope that the parents will find the time to bring their children to help celebrate. I will see you there!”    

 

Three Gold and Three Silver Medals

 

We must be getting blasé about the number of gold medals that our athletes have been returning with from Regional and international competitions. Remember the famous banner that said ‘Niue, No More Leai’ when we received our first gold medal a few years back? Well we have received more gold medals since and the latest by two women Weightlifters when they competed in Darwin, Australia.

 

Our heartiest congratulations to both Ms Sioe Haioti who won three gold medals and Ms Narita Viliamu with her three silver medals. Wow! Amazing stuff huh? Our body builders and weightlifters have certainly put our nation way beyond the reach of the ‘No More Leai’ category.

 

The pair [we hope] with their managers, will be arriving on Friday morning and we can all practise our celebration and public procession early by going up to the airport and welcome our heroines.

 

Though Niue Foou has promised not to report on sport events, this one is very special – Government is the major sponsor through NISANOC for the competitors and their managers.     

 

Media Statement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hon Mark Burton

Minister of Defence

 

$4.6 billion 10 year package for Defence.

 

Defence Minister Hon Mark Burton has announced a Defence Sustainability Initiative, ‘worth $4.6 billion to be phased over 10 years, to develop the resources of the New Zealand Defence Force and to ensure its capacity to meet New Zealand’s defence requirements into the future,’ according to the media statement issued last week from the Defence Office.

 

“This long term strategic funding initiative is the fourth stage of a systematic approach by this government to restore the capability of our Defence Force which was left to run down during the 1990s resulting in personnel shortages, ageing equipment and infrastructure,” Hon Mark Burton said.

 

A structured defence funding and management will enable:

 

 

The funding initiative is a result of the Defence Capability and Resourcing Review conducted in early 2004 with the Ministers of Finance and State Services undertook to review the capability and resourcing requirements of defence identified a number of areas where there were deficiencies in the both the Defence Forces and the Ministry of Defence.

 

“This major initiative will enable defence to move forward, secure in the knowledge it has the long term funding required to meet the country’s defence and security needs,” the Minister explained.

 

[Abridged version – Niue Public Relations Office]

 

Editorial

 

Democratic Process and Taoga Niue

 

In our rush to satisfy the terms and conditions of observing the process of democracy during the General Elections, the taoga of our ancestors are conveniently forgotten. That is unfortunate. We used to celebrate the Oath taking or similar acknowledgement Ceremonies in the late 1800s and in the early years of last century with dancing, singing, feasting and in the presentation of galue and appropriate cultural gifts to mark thee important occasions.

 

The Oath taking ceremony last Wednesday happens once every three years and would have hardly taxed our capacity to honour our Ekepule in the way of our ancestors. In the pre European times our forefathers would celebrate lavishly when a King or a paramount chief is chosen. When Fataaiki was pronounced King, for example, the village of Hakupu journeyed to Uhomotu complete with a retinue of supporters carrying copious amounts of feasting food and troupes of entertainers to show their support, such was the scale, respect [lilifu] and the prestige the position of a King required.

 

We have unfortunately forgotten the details that accompanied this important taoga. Instead we swear them in and then retired to a large room to share scones and biscuits and congratulations for having completed a ceremony. The mana, the pride that we have in ourselves as a nation, or the prestige is lost in our anxiety to do the correct political thing. That is why I said ‘unfortunately.’

 

Have we forgotten already that the way we chose our leaders in the past is just as legally binding and as democratic? A decision was reached by general consensus, or the families with powerful connections nominated their delegate and a decision was reached, accepted and sealed with a Fono followed by traditional merry-making. The spirit of Kaufakalataha was duly observed and there were no visible signs of disruption among families, friends or neighbours. This is exactly the very reason why Premier Vivian said in the ceremony that the West Minister model though desirable in a constitutional arrangement, is unsuitable for us, not so much as it is ‘foreign’ in its applications but in the way we arrived with our choices while observing the process of democracy.

 

The beauty of the process of democracy is clearly not as it applies in practice, we have not been able during the constitutional process of writing the Tohi Fakave to adapt the Westminster model to our situation. The architects of the said Constitution Act have not included aspects of our cultural heritage, and there are aspects of our taoga that the Westminster model should have been adapted to our circumstances, not adopted as we know it.

 

To promote the true spirit of Kaufakalataha we should have a national celebration where everyone is invited to the ceremony. The prestige of electing a Premier demands recognition. We should have feasted and danced and sang. We should have declared a national holiday to revive what we used to do – ‘Government of the people, by the people for the people.’ The oath taking ceremony should be brought to the people, not kept behind closed doors like as if it was a separate institution or a private ceremonial rite of passage of a secret cultural or religious sect. We have to be seen to be in accord with whom we have chosen.

 

Residents Return

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the past two months you might be interested to know that some of our residents have returned. Of the few that Niue Foou knows of, Mr and Mrs Sionesini Jackson, Mr and Mrs James Gill, Kifoto and his minder who accompanied him on a medical referral; Mrs Faitala of Tuapa; Ms Tanya Leomotu.   

Hunter Forrest Misiepo Gregory Harding- Welcome home!  

 

Of particular interest are the mothers who returned with twice as many citizens [their babies] than when they left: Mrs Maligi Tasmania; Gaylene Tasmania; Alison Magatogia; Ms Puapua; Mrs Peter Eu Funaki; Ms Natasha Toeono and son ; Mrs Lisa Harding and son; Mrs Faise Pihigia and baby and Mrs Susannah Talagi and baby Hinolynn.

 

I am sure that Niue Foou has missed more names that should be included here but suffice it to know that while our residents keep returning to Niue we should be reminded that the proverbial grass or mohuku is still greener on this side of the Pacific.

 

 

Direct Air Service to Niue may be compromised

 

With the proposed merger between Polynesian Air Lines [PAL] with Virgin Blue Niue may lose its twice weekly direct flights to and from Auckland.

 

“But we must not jump the gun,” chided Falefono legal Adviser, Mr Justin Kamupala. “Premier and I could well return from our discussion with PAL Executives this weekend with an offer of an extra service instead.”

 

While we speculate about the fate of the air services to and from Niue the most probable that could happen is PAL could offer a feeder service by using a smaller plane from here to Apia return, just like we used to in the final days with Royal Tonga.

 

“This is about economics,” explained Premier Vivian. “Obviously the new partner does not consider the Niue run economical enough to send a big plane across so we might have to accept whatever is being offered. I will be talking to the PAL Executives this weekend and I hope that we can come to some accommodating and  satisfactory arrangement.”

 

To understand ‘economics’ in this situation it goes something like this: it makes sense in terms of wear and tear to use a car to travel to Hakupu from Falefono, but I would think twice about using the same vehicle to go up to Tavana Café [200m away] for coffee.

 

Hopefully our negotiating team will make sense of all this when they return.

 

Press Release

Premier’s Department

Public Relations Office

 

NZDF Exercise Tropical Twilight 05

 

For the next six weeks Niue is to host a New Zealand Defence Force [NZDF] contingent who will be here to practise deploying and operating in a tropical environment, in an activity code named Exercise Tropical Twilight 05.

 

Niue will benefit temporarily with 130 extra people living on the island helping with government, private sector and community based development projects.

 

The NZDF conducted a similar personnel deployment exercise in 1988 called ‘Exercise Joint Venture,’ more recently in Brunei and previously in Samoa and the Solomon Islands.

 

Under Exercise Tropical Twilight 05 activities they will employ specialist skills to complete civic action tasks, capacity building in skills training and support tasks for the host personnel [Medical, machinery maintenance] complete Phase I of the Industrial Park complex [private sector] and to make necessary repairs to Falefono [Government.], and to promote goodwill, and sound relationships between the visiting and host nations.

 

The main body of the Twilight Team is expected to arrive tomorrow on the RNZAF B-757 and the C-130 and will depart on June 13th.

 

The lists of tasks to be accomplished were scoped by the Reconnaissance Team led by Lieutenant -Colonel Philip Morrison that came early in February this year. Warrant Officer Michael Ross is the current Liaison officer for the Twilight Team and will be working and consulting closely with local liaison officers Crossley Tatui [Director of Cabinet and Parliamentary Services] and Ms Gloria Talagi [Co-ordinator of Special Projects.]

 

“We have other projects that were in the original list,” added Warrant Officer Ross. “If we have the time and provided we receive the materials on time then we will be able to add extra tasks on what need to be done.” Troop garrison locations are at Tuapa, Alofi North community hall [ex –Tahiti GIP accommodation site] and the Airport green across from the Golf Club.

 

The Tropic Twilight Exercise is funded by the New Zealand Defence Force and NZAID.

 

 

Press Release

Public Relations Office

 

RNZN Resolution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Captain David Mundy [RNZN] of the RNZN ship Resolution, paid a courtesy call to Premier Vivian and members of the Cabinet this morning.

“We are at the end of a two month tour of the Pacific,” he explained, “and our visit is basically courtesy and goodwill in nature and there will be overlapping tasks with the Tropic Twilight team that is currently on Niue.”

 

Most of the crew have never been to Niue and they are looking forward to some sightseeing before they depart on Saturday evening.

 

The Resolution is primarily a survey ship in its first voyage to Niue. Its functions include surveying the seafloor particularly around the coastal zones to enhance safety and navigation and continuing with what the MV Monowai used to do previously. It will while here survey the wharf approaches around Alofi and the west coast to determine formations on the seafloor that could be harmful to marine and harbour related activities.

Capt Cook’s Resolution could have anchored here in 1774

Minister Bill Motufoou asked Captain Mundy for assistance in salvaging a barge that sank just outside the wharf two months ago, and to locate a seamount offshore at Hakupu.

 

The presence of the Resolution presents a historical perspective and a constitutional commitment that are worth remembering.

 

Captain James Cook arrived in Niue [231 years ago] on a British Navy ship, also named the Resolution, in 1774 and because the reception that he received, [‘the natives charged at us like wild boars’ he noted in his log] he named Niue Savage Island. Tagged with such a reputation it was over a half a century later before another vessel called on the island.

 

The presence of another naval vessel, albeit on a survey mission, the RNZN Resolution reaffirms New Zealand’s commitment as a partner to the Niue Constitution Act 1974 with regard to the island state’s Defence Policy.     

 

Coming Events: