ISSUE NO: 7 Volume II - April 6th  2005                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                        

                              

                                                                                                             

 

 

 

 

Premier Vivian with Fiji Prime Minister Rt Hon Laisenia Qarase 

 

Mr Ernest Nemaia and I did a lot of work when we were in Fiji two weeks ago. We met and discuss many issues with Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, Ministerial and high level officials who gave us good advice and were very supportive in what we are trying to achieve. Prime Minister Qarase was very understanding about the way we are going ahead with our economic development projects, and has always been a strong ally of Small Island States like Niue. I thanked the Prime Minister and his Minister for their support. The happy result is that we now have an Air Services Agreement with Fiji. All that is now needed are for the necessary documents to allow Reef Air to operate air services between Niue and Fiji.


 

I discussed the Forum Pacific Plan, particularly in relation to the Air Services Agreement that I had recently signed with Fiji, with the Forum Secretary General, Greg Urwin. I wanted to make sure that our Air Services Agreement complies with the Vision and Direction that the Forum Nations agreed to in last year’s Forum meeting in Samoa.  Again I am happy to report that the Secretary General was most helpful and supportive.

 

I am pleased with the recent report from Mr Craig Hawke, Director of NZAID Pacific, with the details relating to our Trust Fund main account, which now stands at $9 844 216.14 - a wonderful beginning to a more secure future for our people and I am pleased to be at the start of this new venture thanks to the Governments of New Zealand and of Australia.

 

I am very pleased to have the company of our Trade Officer, Ernest Nemaia, during my trip to Fiji. I think we in Cabinet made a very wise decision in appointing Ernest as our Trades Officer and based in Auckland, and I thank Reef Group once again for allowing an office space in their building for him to work from. Ernest has done an excellent job since he started and being the person he is he will continue to provide a valuable service to Niue.

 

I hear that the charter ship MV Southern Tiare has discharged its cargo successfully, especially the landing of the Kato crane after an abortive attempt on Saturday night. By all accounts I hope that we will complete the loading of the scrap metal and other things by this weekend. Well done everyone! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scrap Metal to go

 

It is a hive of activity at Aliluki this week as scrap metal cutters, front end and back end loaders, big blue metal crusher/batcher/baler, forklifts – you name it they are all down there trying to reduce scrap metal into manageable blocks that can fit neatly into containers.

 

Quarantine Officer, Colin Etuata explained that to get metal into a container, workers have to remove all soil, weeds and other ‘non-metal’ materials. “Which is why you see workers here with hoses removing the offending particles from the metal blocks,” he said.

 

“But it is not all plain sailing,” added Norman Mitimeti, former Telecom technician, recently retired, who now prefers something more physically demanding in his career. “The baler keeps breaking down and the work schedule falls behind.”

 

The increasing numbers of rusting vehicles that were left around villages, homes and bush environments have always been a major concern to government. Cyclone Heta intervened by adding to the growing pile of rusting vehicles and exposing others that have been left in should have been out of sight places. Other issues, like health risks,

rust and chemical leakages to the water lens, soil and environment contamination and an eyesore for both tourists and residents.

 

Talkback with Patrick Lino

 

An interesting evening with Radio Talkback host with topics covering most of what everyone already knows, yet very little was discussed about local politics and politicking issues pertaining to the coming General Elections at the end of the month. The reason is probably that the local population is reasonably satisfied with the performance of the current Legislative Assembly, which at one point a caller suggested to, ‘leave things as they are’ [or laissez faire] and to ‘train up the already elected politicians to perform better instead.]

 

Here are some of the issues discussed last night.

 

·        Locals are amazed that one of the main reasons why our people find it difficult to return home is that they have no money to pay their fares. This must be true, because while our neighbours Samoa, Tonga and other island countries receive enormous amounts of remittances [money sent home by relations and families living in New Zealand and Australia] each year, which goes a long way to build a strong local purchasing power [Samoans sent home $45 million in 2003] 

·        A suggestion that the Liku – Hakupu road be sealed in the name of ‘Niue Foou.’

·        There is great excitement over the arrival of heavy machinery to assist with the building projects. The new Kato crane which was finally landed after an aborted attempt on Saturday night is going to make everyone feel more secure when the cargo vessels arrive in the future.

·        The most popular topic was the possibility of Television being available 24 hours a day. I thought it rather strange that people would like longer television coverage yet at the same time would probably be the first to object at having large power bills at the end of the month. But Patrick is right in that we need to conduct a Social impact study before we make a firm decision.

·        One caller appear to have better access to information sources that no one else seems to know. Like, petrol going up to $2.50 a liter, electricity also to increase in tariff and that the hospital blood analysing machine has broken down. We all hope that these things are not true.

·        The bringing in of Indian and Chinese workers is met with mixed feelings. We would all like our own people to return and reclaim their ancestral lands but not many are keen. The only problem that I see with these kinds of arrangements is that it is very similar to biological control of insects and plants: no one will ever know what the consequences will be in the long term. The Law of Nature prescribes this: In Nature there are no rewards or punishments, only consequences. That of course applies to all of us as well.

·        That pigs should be registered as are dogs, along with their owners as well.

 

            

 

Cabinet Meeting Tuesday 05 April

 

Approved and/or endorsed:

 

 

Travelling on Government Business:

 

·        Forum Presiding Officer Mr Atapana Siakimotu and Assembly Clerk, Mrs Moka Tano Puleoti, are to attend a Workshop and Conference in Samoa from April 22 – 26th April. Fully funded by the organisers.

·        Niue High School Principal Mr Takili Talagi is to attend an Entrepreneurship Curriculum Development Workshop Meeting in Wellington with BAS [Business Advisory Service] Officer, Mr Ben Tanaki. 

 

Reports:

 

·        From Ms Natasha Toeono [POPs Project Co-ordinator] and Mr Haden Talagi [Environmental Officer] regarding the help towards the development of countries’ National Implementation Plans on POPs.

 

Cabinet Concerns:

 

  1. That Public Service Officers who are asked to present papers at a Conference or a meeting must have their country statements approved by the Minister responsible. This requirement is necessary to avoid the Government being placed in compromising positions.
  2. That overtime claims from Departments for work done after normal working hours need to be properly authenticated before any payments, if approved, are possible.

 

Report to Cabinet from Minister Bill Motufoou

 

Heavy Machinery and General Cargo.

 

The unloading of incoming cargo is now complete. The loading of outward cargo [scrap metals and machines for repair overseas] are continuing until Saturday this week. Good progress is reported and Minister Motufoou hopes that everything will proceed smoothly until the ship leaves. NZAID, which is responsible for funding is to be thanked with a special function to commission the new machines, on Thursday afternoon to officially hand ove the machines to the Government of Niue.

The newly landed heavy machinery will be looked after by Niue Power Corporation, Civil Division of PWD and Outside Services [the mechanical Division of PWD.]

 

Niue Talo Exports facing low price competition.

 

Fijian talo farmers are facing an ‘oversupply in the market,’ according to the Fiji Times [31 March 2005] and the onus is in the Government [Fiji] to find more overseas markets for root crops.

 

This news does not promise a secure future for our talo exports. According to Ernest Nemaia, our Trades Officer based in Auckland, “Fijian talo is being sold in Auckland at a rock bottom price of 50 cents a kilo, and it is causing  concern over the prices for our talo in the New Zealand market.”

 

“The only thing that we can do at present is to ride out the storm until June when hopefully everything will settle,” said the Chairperson of the Niue Talo Exports Advisory Committee, Hon Bill Motufoou. The main cause for this over supply is the Fijian growers have been abandoning sugar growing and are growing talo instead.

 

The New Kato

 

It is corn yellow [the colour of our national flag], bright, very masculine with its long boom sheathed and it looks ready and hungry for work – that is our new Kato crane that arrived ashore yesterday after spending the weekend longer in the hold of the MV Southern Tiare because it was too awkward to be safely lifted on to the wharf. But the boys did it by hauling on the straps to clear the ship’s side after its lifting machines had done their share of the load.

The Captain of the ship was not too keen in risking his vessel any more than he had to but after waiting nearly all day for the high tide the feat of landing the big machine was achieved.

 

The new crane will be an invaluable partner to the ageing but still serviceable older Kato, now in its 12th years in service. It has a 50 tonne lifting capacity, and it will probably be able to lift 40 foot containers and full tanks of fuel. This leviathan is to be the glory of the Outside Services  Department stable of big machines, capable of handling the work load of the wharf when required. Organ Viliko is very proud to drive the new Kato on its maiden voyage from the wharf to its new home in Amanau.

 

Editorial:

 

Television: A necessary evil that everyone wants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No other household appliance or furniture is given a more prominent position in a family living room than a television [an electric fan comes a close second.] Furniture and other important family heirlooms are arranged to get the best possible view of a television set, and if a family is well off a second set may be found in a bedroom. If a television set is a living entity, one could safely assume that this innocuous and innocent looking appliance is in fact rearranging the entire household to suit itself – not the other way around.

 

Next to the radio, television has transformed the way families would normally interact. For sure it brings in the outside world into traditional family living room sanctuaries, but the benefits to any family, according to researchers world wide who have studied and written about the effects of television, are fewer than the disadvantages it is supposed to give. In spite of this here we are in Niue contemplating a 24 – hour status for television viewing.

 

The only advantage that I can think of that a television may have for us is in the entertainment field – music, sport, movies, news [both local and overseas] nature and children’s programmes, [even if kids do fall asleep at school]. It is a great baby sitter and after the early evening activities viewers become armchair philosophers – just ‘bombing out’ and be entertained until the set becomes saturated with vertical rainbow colours to tell you the show is over for the evening.

 

The obvious disadvantages are the current license fee [about $22.00 a month – and likely to increase] and the power [about the same per month - also likely to increase] and that is the good news. Other effects are long term and not so immediately recognisable or obvious. Researchers have noted dysfunctional family life, aberrant behaviour patterns, degraded social values, cultural degradation, to name but a few.

 

Despite the misgivings that I have mentioned above the final decision rests on the individual – today’s modern society is based on personal choices; a kind of, ‘to watch or not to watch, that is the question’ attitude that seem to guide us in what we perceive to be the way to be.  

 

 

Mr Bill Sullivan: Chatham Island Resident…

 

An interesting character [interviewed by BCN last night] that saw what tourists see whenever they visit our country. “Beautiful Island, amazing post cyclone re-growth, incredible diving spots but oh, the derelict houses!” he exclaimed.

 

The Chinese team that came earlier in the year: “Wonderful opportunities to do up these abandoned houses and rent them out to longer stay visitors and tourists, when they come to see your beautiful country. We have millions of people in China who would love to live here permanently.”

 

Workers from India here on work trial: “There are great fortunes to be made here, plenty of abandoned houses and unused land to make a good living. Given a chance we would like to move in with our families if allowed.”

 

Local children: “Yuk! Shame! Our family is getting fed up with cleaning, evicting health hazard pests like rats and cockroaches and looking after these old houses and cleaning up the grounds.”

 

Absentee owners: “Leave our houses alone. Our children might come back to live here.”

 

Solutions?

 

Chances are that their children will probably demolish them anyway as soon as they realise how useless they are for living in. Why not do everyone a favour? Bulldoze them now and get it over and done with.

 

“Have some pride in your country,” said Mr Sullivan. “Get rid of them or renovate the better ones for tourists. It is easier money than planting things to sell.”

 

It is an eyesore for tourists, a health hazard for locals and a pain in the proverbial for the remaining families to keep neat and tidy. What do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visitors to the Island

 

IMF [International Monetary Fund] Team

Ms Hellen Chirino-Roosberg, Consulting Counsel from the IMF Legal Department [Washington DC] and Mr Andrew Milford, Financial Sector Supervision Advisor from the IMF Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Centre [PFTAC] in Suva, are presently on the island to ‘help beef up our system to monitor, supervise and prevent further incidences of possible money laundering transactions,’ according to Secretary to Government Mrs Sisilia Talagi.

 

A few years ago Niue found itself on the OECD/FATF money laundering ‘Black List’ of countries who were found to be involved, whether by choice or by accident, for non compliance in co-operating to prevent money laundering activities.

 

We did eventually comply and were told that for as long as we are trying our best to meet the suggested FATF guidelines, our name would be off the ‘black list and will not incur severe penalties.’ 

 

“The consultants have been very supportive in their suggestions to review our progress in staying off the black list and to ensure that any future financial transactions we are engaged in are above board,” said Ms Josie Tamate, who has just been given the responsibility to become the local focal point in this matter.

 

More on our returning graduates….

 

For many years we have been sending scholarshippers away to New Zealand for ‘better education’ and for more advanced forms of training with the hope that they will return and put something back in skills and experience into making our nation more productive and eventually a better lifestyle for all who live here. That is a long term vision and the big picture. Unfortunately not many feel that obligated to return.

 

Today we are looking at a different picture, our people are returning, armed to the teeth not only with a first degree, but with post graduate qualifications as well as Diplomas and Certificates.

 

Studying for any qualification is not easy – long hours in classrooms, existing on the barest minimum of allowances [having children with them makes it even more difficult for some] and living on the dream of returning to make a better life than they left behind years before.

 

The reality is that Niue is not yet ready for an exodus of returning graduates. So far no one is complaining, and all have said that they have returned because this is their home, not for the money or for the obligations to the government. The question now is: “Will Niue be able to hold on to these very young, mobile, highly qualified returnees?

  

Ms Gloria Talagi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A USP Diploma in Admin. Studies [1983,] a Bachelor of Commerce from Griffiths University in Brisbane [1994], a Post Graduate Diploma in Developmental Studies [Massey 2003] and a Master of Philosophy in Developmental Studies [Massey 2004] Gloria returned at the end of last year with a partner hoping to find a job that suits her expertise and qualifications.

 

“If it was a matter of money I would not be here,” she explained. “But Niue is my home and my partner loves it here which should help me settle down and stay put.” Nearly six months later Gloria is still without what she calls ‘a proper job’ and that should ring a few bells among our administrators, who have had two years to prepare for the eventuality of returning employees after training.

 

Hang in there Gloria, things will come right. Eventually. And thanks for coming back, because right now we need every person ‘on the pumps.’

 

John Faitala

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Faitala is back at Falefono in his old haunt at External Affairs after completing his Bachelor of International Business and Marketing, as well as his graduate Diploma in Business, from AUT [Auckland University of Technology] last December. In addition to his impressive portfolio are his NZ Diploma in business [1994] and an Advanced Diploma in Management from the NZ Institute of Management [1995] from the Nelson Polytechnic.

“It is good to be home and I am happy to be here,” said John.

 

Imagine, if you can, a modern Niuean toa [warrior] armed with an array of qualifications [instead of traditional war clubs and spears,] that could earn him a well paid job anywhere in the world. John is young, good looking, healthy and as ambitious as anyone in his peer group with whom he spent the last three years, yet he chose to return home.

 

We at Falefono will never know for sure why John decided to come back when he did, but we are pleased to see him. You are a real modern day toa, John!

 

                    

 

 

 

                        PUBLIC NOTICES

 

 

 

 

 

 

FONO EKEPULE A NIUE

 

Ofisa He Fakatonu Fono

23 Mati 2005              FAKAILOAAGA KE HE TAU TAGATA

 

1.      Fono Ikipule & Tau Ikipule:

Ke muitua ke he Fakatufono Tohi Fakave a Niue 1974, Matakupu 3 (2) & Matakupu 5 (2), kua fakailoa atu nei ke he tau tagata i Niue Fekai, ko e FAKATUFONO LEVEKI he mole atu e TUKU he Fono Ekepule a Niue ke 11 aki he aho 23 Mati 2005, a to fakamooli mo e omonuo e Fono Ikipule mo e Fakatufono foou he mole atu e Viliaga Lahi he aho 30 Apelila 2005, to lago mo e fua ai he Fono Ikipule he magaaho nai.

 

2.      Fakatonu Fono & Tau Ekepule:

Ke muitua ke he Fakatufono Tohi Fakave a Niue 1974; Matakupu: 6 (a) mo e Fakatufono Tohi he Fono Ekepule a Niue 1966; Matakupu 10 (1) (2), ko e tau kotofa Fakatonu Fono mo e tau Ekepule Maaga/Motu, pete kua TUKU e Fono Ekepule, to fakatumau ni a to omonuo a ia e Fakatonu Fono foou pihia mo lautolu ne kautū he viliaga lahi he Aho Faiumu 30 Apelila 2005.

Fakamooli mo e fakailoa ai ke he haaku a matalima tohi mo e Fakamailoga he Kautu Niue he aho nai, aho 23 he mahina a Mati, he tau 2005.

 

PUBLIC NOTICE

 

  1. Cabinet & Ministers:

In accordance with the Constitution of Niue 1974; Article 3 (2) & Article 5 (2) the people of Niue are hereby notified that the CARETAKING GOVERNMENT after the dissolution of the 11th Legislative Assembly of Niue on 23 March 2005 and until the swearing in of the new Cabinet of Ministers and Government, after the General Elections of 30 April 2005, shall be the responsibility of the present and current Cabinet of Ministers.

 

  1. Speaker & Members of Assembly:

In accordance with the Constitution of Niue 1974; Article 6 (a) and The Niue Assembly Act 1966 Article 10 (1) (2), though the 11th Assembly had been dissolved, the Speaker and Village/Common Roll Assembly Members shall continue in office until the new Speaker was elected and sworn in and, the successful candidates, after the General Elections of Saturday 30 April 2005, were likewise, sworn in.

Issued under my hand and the Seal of Niue this 23rd day of March in the year 2005.

 

 

Lilifu Atapana Siakimotu

FAKATONU FONO Fono Ekepule 11 aki.

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

FONO EKEPULE A NIUE

 

 

Ofisa he Fakatonu Fono

 

23 Mati 2005

 

FAKAILOAAGA TUKU HE FONO EKEPULE A NIUE~FONO EKEPULE KE HOGOFULUMATAHA [11] AKI~2002-2005

 

KE MUITUA ke he Matakupu 26 (1) (b) mo e (2) he Fakatufono Tohi Fakavē a Niue 1974:

 

Ko au ko ATAPANA SIAKIMOTU, Fakatonu Fono he Fono Ekepule a Niue ke hogofulumataha [11] aki, kua fakailoa atu nei ke he tau tagata oti i Niue Fekai, kua TUKU tuai e Fono Ekepule a Niue ke hogofulumataha [11] aki, he oti e liogi pā mo e fakaoti he Fono Ekepule ne fono he aho nai; AHO LOTU 23 MATI 2005.

 

Ko e VILIAGA LAHI, ke vili e tau Lilifu Ekepule ki loto he Fono Ekepule foou; Fono Ekepule a Niue ke hogofulumaua [12] aki, to fakahoko ai he AHO FAIUMU 30 APELILA 2005.

 

Kua FAKAILOA mo e FAKAMOOLI ai ke he haaku a matalima tohi mo e fakamailoga ai ke he Fakamailoga he Kautū Niue, he aho nai, AHO 23 MATI, he tau 2005.

 

Fakaaue lahi

 

Lilifu Atapana Siakimotu

FAKATONU FONO Fono Ekepule a Niue ke Hogofulumataha [11] aki.

 

 

NIUE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

 

Office of the Speaker

 

 

23 March 2005

 

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF THE 11TH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NIUE~2002-2005

 

IN ACCORDANCE with Article 26 (1) (b) and (2) of the Niue Constitution 1974:

 

I, ATAPANA SIAKIMOTU, Speaker of the current and 11th Legislative Assembly of Niue, hereby give Public Notice that I have declared the current and 11th Legislative Assembly of Niue, DISSOLVED, effective after the closing prayer at the conclusion of the Assembly Meeting held this day; WEDNESDAY 23 MARCH 2005.

 

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS, to elect Members of Assembly into the new and 12th Legislative Assembly of Niue, shall be held on SATURDAY 30 APRIL 2005.

 

ISSUED under my hand and the Public Seal of Niue, this Wednesday, the 23rd day of March, the year 2005.

 

Fakaaue lahi

 

Hon.Atapana Siakimotu

SPEAKER 11th Niue Legislative Assembly