It is not often that high ranking
officials gets invited into Premier Vivian’s private residence f
or
dinner but HE Meyers appreciated the gesture and knew how important he must be
to be accorded such rare courtesy.
“It
is not often that we find someone who knows us well enough and be available at
short notice,” Premier Vivian said on Wednesday evening. “But more important is
your affinity with my people that makes the difference and it
helps when you are already Pacific wise. I thank you and my people thank you both for being there for us when we needed very special emissaries who understand us and our ways.”
For HE Meyers the dinner event was an emotional moment. “Tiana and I have been happy here and we have made many friends when we were here in 1992-95 and we have added more to our growing list in the last six months. It could only be that we have a fondness for Niue and a rapport for its people that I hope we have achieved and developed a worthwhile and meaningful future for your people.”
The Meyers were both closely involved in the combined fund raising and relief aid activities that the people of the Cook Islands and the Cook Islands Niuean Community in Rarotonga [Mr Meyers was the New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands from 2003-2005] helped to collect just over NZ$170 000 to assist Niue after a severe devastation by Cyclone Heta in January 2004. “These are examples in the acts of goodwill that bond our Pacific people together in relationship ties that take us back to our ancestral beginnings,” explained Premier Vivian.
Mr Anton Ojala arrives in Niue.
There
were thunderstorms and rain, not fanfare and trumpets that greeted Mr Anton
Ojala and his family when they arrived in Niue early on Friday morning. To greet
and welcome the New Zealand High Commissioner at the airport were Premier Vivian
and his Cabinet Ministers.
According to some of the officials who were also there to meet the new High Commissioner, Mr Ojala’s young family of three children have been looking forward to their new home where they will be living for the next three years. The Ojala family members were assured that Niue is ‘a wonderful safe place to bring up a young family.’ We sincerely hope that the new High Commissioner and his family will enjoy their three years sojourn in our island paradise.
Feature story. Looking forward to a holiday in Niue with relations and friends
Romancing the Rock:
For the December 2005 Christmas Festive and New Year period 711 visitors, mainly non-resident Niueans visited Niue. In the same period 451 outgoing passengers left Niue for a few weeks holiday in New Zealand and Australia [a net gain of 260]. While these numbers might appear insignificant at first in terms of international travel, for Niue a net gain of 260 [61%] people is a substantial increase in an island state that has a total local resident population of 1 760 [an increase of 40.35 %.] If New Zealand was to have the same percentage of visitors in the same time period its population would have increased proportionately by a staggering 1.6 million. Just imagine the value of contributions by the tourist dollars that it would have on the economy?
Although the impact on Niue’s local economy was not as substantial, there were some significant increases in businesses that have more to offer the visitors. Crazy Uga Café, for example, its chef reported an increase of panini orders of 20 [or a 61% increase] per day from visitors. “We normally make about 40 paninis a day, but this increased to 60 a day when the visitors came,” said Saniteli. “That is nearly 500 more panini for a 6-day week trading. For us that is a lot!” Other businesses to experience similar increases were Alofi Rentals [cars, vans, motor cycles and truck hire,] Tavana Café and other eating places and Pacific Way Bar also reported a significant increase in their takings.
So where did the non-resident Niueans go to? What did they spend their money on? Like most Niueans on a pilgrimage to their homeland there must have been a mountain of empty cartons and bags of KFC/Macdonalds floating around the homes of those who are fortunate enough to host visiting relations and friends. In the main most non-resident Niuean visitors would be eating locally grown produce while they are here as an important part of their reorientation into the local communities. The village churches would receive quite substantial contributions if their visitors are of a pious variety, rental vehicles are necessary if the host families do not have enough cars to help out and the eating places would eventually receive patronage as those big city fast food taste buds get tired of local food.
Why
have our people suddenly decided to return home in large numbers?
Passengers waiting for a return trip back home
One reason is the availability of cheap fares offered by Air New Zealand, [from $259 NZ one-way] that is inward and outward bound passengers had a whole aeroplane to themselves [on Polynesian Airline Niue’s allocation each way had only 40 seats] and a direct flight [as it was on Polynesian Airlines] helped allay passenger anxieties in being stuck on route had the journey to and from Niue meant stopping off somewhere for a re-connection,
On the local scene, there were plenty to entertain and occupy the visitors: the grand opening of the Ekalesia Niue’s new Millennium building; the wedding ceremonies [Jackson/Tongahai and Hekau Viviani] the Catholic Church’s 50 years Jubilee.
Others came for other reasons – returning residents after a year’s study in overseas institutions; relations and friends to spend quality time with their families. The largest single group was the Fitilagakali Aoga Niue [ECE], a 66-member team from Mangere to introduce their pre-schoolers to their land of ancestral heritage. [see Fitilagakali Article]
Is Niue around here somewhere? New arrivals in awe or possibly lost?
Having
enjoyed their Niue experience one wonders what thoughts are being harbored when
they return to their reality in Auckland?
NKM received an email from one of the returnees last week: “I am having a hard time settling down after I got back.” Another said that he is making plans for his whole family to return to Niue ‘this year sometime.’ But that is only two out of the 800 plus who made the pilgrimage to the island in the past six weeks. Of the remaining 63 that NKM managed to interview in the departure lounge, 6 [nearly 10%] gave a vague promise to return while the remaining 90% remained noncommittal.
So what more would it take to entice our people back home? Unfortunately NKM was unable to elicit any answers that would make sense to anyone. The answers will remain an enigma because although our lifestyle here on the Rock is definitely better than life in the suburbs of Auckland, many are not secure enough to make the move. The question still intrigues the local residents is this: why did our people move to New Zealand in the first place, knowing full well the inadequacies of a suburban environment compared to the village living communities?
To tes the mettle of new visitors as
local, David Poihega ,accompanies sister
and friend after a marathon stroll around the island
walk around the island
Activities that our visitors enjoyed while here [but not in order of popularity]:
· Hunting uga
· The annual takai
· Walking around the island. David Poihega, his sister and a friend decided that it would be challenging and exhilarating to walk around Niue.
· Planting talo – just to show off that they have not forgotten their ancestral skills.
· Fishing and gleaning around the reef.
· Fish and chips night at Matavai Resort on Friday evenings
· Clips of our own people on Television when they do appear on the screen
· Meeting up with old friends and familiar faces that they have not seen for a while
· The local market on Tuesday and Friday mornings.
· The flag parade on Friday mornings
· Eating panini at Crazy Uga
· Sharing an evening at the Pacific Way with friends.
· A round the island walking trip
FITILAGAKALI AOGA NIUE [ECE]
The
current trip to Niue was two years in planning, months of fundraising activities
for the small pre school unit in a deliberate attempt by the foundation members
to expose the children, teachers and parents to their land of their ancestors.
“It
is a bonding and learning experience for the entire group,” explained foundation
member and leader of the group, Mrs. Hanakalala Ahotaha [QSM] “For our children
it was intended to be a birthright bonding experience. I also wanted our
teachers to be infused with new ideas about Niue since most of them have not
been home for some time, and for the parents to know that we are serious about
what we wanted our children to learn, especially about their heritage.”
The first of the group arrived just in time to [NT1]share and exchange cultural items with the Niue Primary School ECE before they went on their Christmas /New Year recess. The group was met and welcomed by the teachers, the Director of Education Mrs Lose Siakimotu and the Minister of Education, Hon Va’aiga Tukuitonga. It was an emotional moment for Mrs. Ahotaha and her retinue. “I wish that we are all here to see this,” she said. “Thank you for the warm welcome and for the privilege to be here with you.”
The
Fitilagakali Aoga Niue [ECE] has been around for years, funded privately by the
members with the help of other supporters in the area. Their most convenient
premises at first were located behind the Mangere Pacific
Islands Congregation Church in a prefabricated building. The most frustrating
were the scarcity of Niue-based learning resources, particularly in the Niuean
language and the natural materials with which to create their own. “We are going
to collect as much as we can and ship them back to Auckland,” said one of the
teachers, Mrs Nofoaga Tanevesi. “This is the best way to begin building our own
resources.”
“It
wasn’t an easy beginning but we were committed to the task of learning
programmes, particularly our language and crafts, that would keep our cultural
heritage alive,” added Mrs. Ahotaha. “Eventually my daughter, Fou Alene, gained
her ECE teaching qualification and we were able to receive recognition from the
Ministry of Education. Last year we were given our own space in the new building
that we currently shared with the Cook Islands and Samoan ECE schools.”
With funding from the Ministry the school was able to function in the way they had planned. “But we need more input from Niue in order to do the things we want,” explained Fou Alene. “We need original Niuean cultural resources, especially the books that are suitable for the children. But there weren’t that much available, hence the planned trip to Niue which was the next best option, and here we are!”
The Ministry funding meant that teachers’ salaries are paid and the acquisition of resources needed to run the school was bought without having to engage in time consuming fund raising activities. The School’s Board of Trustees is thankful to the Ministry for this much needed assistance.
Presentation to Avatele Fuifuihega Preschool
For the two weeks that the group was on the island they were engaged in just about everything that was going: attending church on Sundays, meeting with the local ECE groups; sharing candle light Christmas Carols evening with the Avatele Sunday school; sport activities at Lakepa; performing at the opening of the Ekalesia Niue Millennium building; attending a wedding ceremony in Alofi North; taking part with the Alofi North annual Takai plus many other activities too many to mention.
“In taking part we were able to live the way of our people and the village living communities,” said Mrs Ahotaha. “Our children were able to play with local children; the adults were able to upgrade their knowledge and skills in Niuean cultural artifacts, like weaving and traditional fire making, and our younger people tried baiting and hunting uga. All these we will be able to incorporate into classroom activities and build our own resources which we hope to share with other Niuean ECE groups in the community.”
“I just love watching my young son getting into things that he could not do in Auckland,” said Damian Ahotaha. “I am going to bring him back here when he is older and we can learn together and I am looking forward to that. In fact all my children will be brought here for orientation; they have the right to know about their birthrights and to claim what is rightly theirs.” Damian of course is not talking only of their land rights which are their cultural and spiritual heritage, in which language is a major part, that are just as important in character building. “They have to know where they come from so that they know where they are going,” he concluded.
As is the custom of our forefathers the visitors did not come empty-handed. ‘Small gifts’ such as children’s toys received by local ECE groups, cash donations to some Ekalesia churches that the group attended and a large donation for equipment for the new hospital that was presented to Premier Vivian during the farewell dinner at Matavai Resort. Thank you Fitilagakali!
The time frame of two weeks is not long enough to learn about their Niuean language, but it was a good beginning just to be in the place of their ancestors. Finding their roots as it were will provide a solid foundation for their future and who knows they might just want to return home one day to live.
What’s happening at Falefono?
Press Release
His
Excellency Kurt Meyer Completes Niue Assignment
The Government of Niue would like to express its gratitude and appreciation in procuring the services of His Excellency Mr Kurt Meyers after the sudden departure of former High Commissioner Hon Sandra Lee-Vercoe to Niue in July 2005. “We were very fortunate that HE Meyers was available to take up this appointment at short notice to look after the New Zealand Office in Niue,” said Premier Vivian, “and the Meyers, like Sandra Lee-Vercoe, are people of the Pacific who understand us better than their predecessors. Mrs Tiana Meyers, for example, has done a lot of work with our communities, especially with our tupuna and I would like to thank them both for their contributions to Niue and our living communities. We are going to miss them both.”
The Meyers, HE Kurt and Tiana, are not strangers to Niue. They were here from 1991-1994 with HE Kurt as the New Zealand High Commissioner and both enjoyed the three years they spent here. “Three years is not such a long time for this kind of appointment,” HE Meyer explains, “but it was better than the two year term we would normally get in the past and we got to know our way better this time around. Tiana and I can now look forward to a holiday before I begin work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs District Office in Auckland in March.”
In the past ten years since they were here there have been changes in the island’s physical, social and economic climates that are of concern yet surprisingly profound, according to HE Myers. “While I found the economic activities [fish and noni for example] by Reef encouraging, I am dismayed with the loss of population [down from 2 500 to about 1 600 today] which has exerted very high demands on Niue’s living communities and their families. Yet in spite of these there is a kind of positive optimism – or a sense of purpose in those who have stayed behind and I find that encouraging, that your people are quite prepared to take the island forward. I have also noticed a good response to NZAid regarding special projects like Young Farmers and general focusing on your young people in developing work and life skills - these too are good healthy signs.”
Other changes noticed by the out going High Commissioner include the loss of competing supermarkets, like K Mart, Rex and Company and Niue Trading – all have been replaced by Swanson and Sons and that there are more cars and more derelict houses in the villages than there were previously. How these will impact on the future of Niue’s economic and social environments are too early to tell, according to the High Commissioner.
HE Meyers’ replacement is Mr Anton Ojala, an experienced career diplomat who has recently completed his tour of duty in Canberra, Australia, as New Zealand’s High Commission 1st Secretary since 2002, and a Deputy High Commissioner in Rarotonga from 1996-1998. His academic qualifications from Otago University are impressive, including a BA [Hons] in Political Studies with Economics, an MA [Hons with Distinction] in Political Studies and is currently completing an Executive Masters degree in Public Administration at ANU, Australia.
“Mr Ojala will have a hard act to follow after Sandra Lee-Vercoe and Kurt Meyers’ special affinity with Niue,” said Premier Vivian. “Our country has special needs and characteristics that require more understanding than most Pacific countries, in addition to specific political and financial arrangements with its constitutional partner the Government of New Zealand. But I am confident that Mr Ojala with his impeccable array of qualifications and experiences Niue will continue to benefit greatly.”
Mr Ojala who is married with three young children has been working as a senior officer with MFAT [Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade] since November 1992 in various positions of responsibility such as Manager for NZODA Liaison Office, Senior Policy Officer [South Pacific and European Divisions] and as Private Secretary to Hon Minister Matt Robson.
Mr Ojala will be calling on the Acting Premier Hon Fisa Pihigia this week to present his diplomatic credentials.
Public Relations Office
Premier’s Department
February 2006
Cabinet Meetings:
31 Jan 2006
Main Issues:
Term I: Monday 5th February – Thursday 13thApril
Term II: Monday 1st May – Friday 7th July
Term III: Monday 24th July – Friday 6th October
Term IV: Monday 23rd October – Thursday 14th December
Statutory Holidays: Good Friday 14th April and Easter Monday, 17th April.
[Both days fall on the holiday period]
ANZAC Day 25th April
Queens Birthday, Monday 7th June
Peniamina Day Monday 23rd
Mr Lavea Puheke. Administrative Assistant [temporary] Taoga Niue
Mrs Laura Ikitule, Taoga Niue IT Trainee, Taoga Niue
Sean Tukutama, Acting Scientific Officer Met Office [on a 3 year contract]
Ms Lisa Utalo, ECE and Niue Primary School [temporary] Education
Mr Wesley Seumanu, Acting Chief Rescue Officer, Civil Aviation
Mr James Tafatu, Acting Principal Fisheries Officer [reviewable after 6 months] DAFF
Mr Kim Ray Vaha, Government Statistician, Premier’s Department
Mr Morgan Mougavalu, Assistant Collector of Customs, Treasury Ms Terri Anne Mokoia, Acting forestry officer, DAFF.
· Request for financial assistance of Replacement Vehicles for the Health Department has been approved
· The release of Liku annual grant for village development was approved
· Approval for budgetary support for the Chamber of Commerce has been granted and a request by Cabinet for accountability.
· An Inception Workshop for Niue in preparation for Second National Communication was approved
· That Cabinet endorses an Agreement between China and Pacific Island countries Economic Development and Cooperation Guiding Framework to be signed in April this year. Niue has a One China Policy and Premier will attend this meeting.
Reports:
Travel:
· The Minister for Telecom Niue and the Director will be attending the Forum Officials and Forum Ministerial meetings in Wellington from March 28th-30th.
· Mr Frank Sioneholo [e-Business Development officer] to participate in the Singapore-Commonwealth Third Country Training Programme Developing e-Government and e-Business Strategies in Singapore from 6-17 February 2006.
· Mr Manila Nosa [Senior Public Health Officer to attend a Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in Geneva from 6-17 February 2006.
Cabinet would like to remind all travelers on Government business to file reports to their appropriate Ministers within two weeks of returning. Failure to comply will compromise your plans for your next overseas travel.
United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP] Workshop.
A
Climate Change Inception Workshop that held in Niue earlier this month was
attended by 34 senior public servants from the Government of Niue and
stakeholders from the Private Sector, NGOs and Village Council members. Mr
Sionetasi Pulehetoa, the Coordinator of the Climate Change Project in Niue, and
Dr George Manful, the senior task Manager from UNEP [Kenya] the GEF Implementing
Agency for the Project] were the presiding administrators of the Workshop.
“Niue’s vulnerability because of its location in the Southern Pacific hurricane belt is therefore a matter of grave concern in terms of global climate changes and their effects on small islands. The purpose of the workshop was primarily to review the experiments and execution of the projects of the first national communication that have already been carried out and to inform the actors of the methods of preparation of the second communication projects.
“We achieved much that will help us with the next communication projects,” said Mr Sionetasi. “Dr Manful has been most helpful in his suggestions that will prove invaluable to us in Niue.”
“You didn’t really need to conduct further experiments to prove your vulnerability to the effects of climate change,” Dr Manful told workshop participants. “It is already obvious but you will need to be more confident in your reports and pertinent inventories to GEF and UNEP in order to get things moving.”
The workshop was held over two days.
Talkback with Lino
For
once Talkback host Patrick Lino did not have to constantly bribe or entice
listeners to contribute to last Monday’s talkback on Radio Sunshine for there
were many who wanted to have their say, including children who rang to offer
their preferences about a name for the new hospital. Topics covered and the most
popular include:
Publisher and Editor
Public Relations Office
Premiers Department
15th February 2006