In this issue
The PRC Ambassador visits Niue : Cabinet Meeting notes : From the Premier’s Office : Professor Tony Angelo : Ambassador Yuanyuan visits Niue : Notice from the Commissioner : Niue High School Sports Day : Hakupu Show Day
From the Premier’s Office
We have been receiving a lot of flak from overseas media making negative comments about the way we do things here, how we spend money and implying mismanagement on our part. Why even last week a Member of the New Zealand national Party jumped on the band wagon and inferred that we are selling our logs to pay for the burnt generator, or that Niue is being run by second rated people because the ‘best ones are already gone,’ that our constitutional arrangement with New Zealand is a ‘failure,’ and that we have less than 1000 people living in Niue. The member is wrong on all counts and he seems intent on putting us back to the colonial days that we have fought hard to change and generally undermining our ability to act and to think for ourselves. Right or wrong we made our decision in 1974 and we are standing by it, and whether the Tokelau Islands follows Niue in its constitutional choice or not is totally irrelevant to us. What is relevant to us is the way we think of ourselves and of our island state.
The Hon Member did succeed in reviving our sense of righteousness and patriotism. I told the Ambassador from China that we need to get back to our roots and one of the best ways is to have a Cultural Centre that will help us focus on who we are. I believe that we already have the ‘right’ people here on Niue: you and I have chosen to remain and make Niue our home because it takes great courage and genuine patriotism to stand fast in the face of adversity. I thank you for your perseverance and your loyalty.
I
thank God for our Constitutional partner New Zealand and the many donors,
organisations and agencies who have continued to support us, because they
believe that we are doing the best we can with what we have. We have done much
since 1974 despite the damages by cyclones Ofa, Heta and others and we should be
proud of our record.
Unfortunately the Government cannot do everything by itself: it needs your help to sustain what we have achieved and more important to believe in who we are and that we remain firm in the land of our ancestors. I believe in you and in your sincerity to accept the things that we cannot change and the wisdom to know the difference.
Chinese Ambassador Visits Niue
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, HE Zhang Yuanyuan, his spouse and Commercial Councillor Mr Liu Linlin spent five days in Niue last week on a familiarisation visit and to personally ‘identify how the funds from China can be used.’
“This is just a courtesy call,” HE Yuanyuan told Premier Vivian last week. “I am very impressed with what I have seen of Niue and I am pleased that the People’s Republic of China has been able to offer assistance to develop the island.”
The
Ambassador is very keen to assist with the Taoga Niue Cultural Centre Building
but admits to Premier Vivian that his country will be unable to fund the entire
Project on its own and is happy to share the costs with other donors. “Niue will
need its Cultural Centre to foster attitudes of patriotism among our people,”
replied Premier Vivian, “and this is one of the most important projects that we
have at present.” Niue has a firm commitment to a ‘One’ China Policy and
assured HE Yuanyuan that Niue will continue to support the People’s Republic of
China.
The Ambassador was updated on China’s contributions to Niue to date and HE Yuanyuan suggested some other areas that China could provide some assistance with. China has already assisted in BCN’s much improved Radio and TV receptions; technical assistance and consultations to DAFF food security measures and is interested in improving our telecommunications and other electronic capabilities.
China has a genuine interest in helping Pacific Islands develop their economic and manpower resources. Officials in Beijing assured a group of Pacific Media who visited China last year that ‘since China is a pacific neighbour it is to everyone’s advantage to stabilize the region, without interfering with their lives and livelihoods.
The Ambassador and his delegation departed Niue on Polynesian Airlines on Tuesday.
Lagakali House Wins both March Past and Sports Championship
Lagakali House became the toast of the Niue High School Athletics
Championships
last Friday when it won both the coveted Marching and the Championship Shields
for 2006.
“It was clear
from the beginning that Lagakali was going to be the champions this year,”
commented one of the judges on the field. “They have everything going for them,
and you can tell by the confidence that their leaders showed during the Marching
event. Their athletes were hyped but controlled as they paraded in unison and
with the precision of seasoned soldiers.”
Indeed the athletes in green dominated the main events right from the beginning,
with young Mica Fuhiniu, only in her second year at the High School, winning not
only the Girl’s Premier Open Mile Event and continued to excel in all other
events that she had participated in. An amazing feat from this young athlete who
could continue to dominate on the field and her peers in the classroom if she
continues in her present form.
Moea
House has an Intermediate athlete from New Zealand, Johnson Nukanuka-Tauevihi,
who in his first year at Niue High School took the 100 and 200m double, the long
jump and as the anchor man helped to cross the line first for his team in the
relays. “Which is pleasantly surprising,” his mother says, “that my son usually
spends more time with his I-pod and his MP3 on his ears and I know that he likes
Niue High School a lot better than his previous school.”
Hon Va’aiga Tukuitonga opened the Sports Day with a warm welcome to parents, caregivers, supporters, spectators and friends who had come to watch their youngsters perform on the field. “Your performance today as individuals and as a team will be a test of your ability not only to be better against all others but for yourself to prove your prowess to your team mates,” she told the athletes. “Never forget that your achievement here is just as important as your achievement in the classroom. All that you have to do is to give every event your best effort and no one will blame you if you did not come first, or second.”
Unlike
previous years the spectators came and stayed for most of the day and it helped
that the events were well organised – everyone knew what they were expected to
do and did them well. “Sportsmanship in good spirited performance is expected of
you today,”
said Mrs Jieni Metimeti, Principal of Niue High School. “This is it and you will
need to be the best you can for yourself and for your team. Neither I nor your
team can ask for more than that.” Mrs Mitimeti went further to acknowledge the
support of many people and organisations who have continued to offer moral and
financial support to the school’s sports programme.
As expected the participants did enjoy themselves with a variety of students taking part in the competition instead of the usual single athlete dominating just about every event on the field. Spectators too must have enjoyed watching their youngsters going through the paces and displaying their physical prowess because most stayed the whole day cheering their favourite athletes to perform better.
Cabinet meetings 31st May – June week 1
Endorsed or approved:
Minister for JCG: Hon Bill Motufoou
Secretary to Government
Deputy New Zealand High Commissioner
Niue Public Service Commission
Policy Advisor
Director of Works
Project Manager/Architect
Project Funds Management
Travelling on Government Business
Travel Reports. Noted and endorsed
· Cabinet has endorsed a report from Mr Sionetasi Pulehetoa, Director of Niue Met Service and Climate Change
· A Report from Mr D. Viviani [Mechanical Superintendent] on his sponsored course on IPS Workshop that was held in Suva from 8-12 May 2006.
Power shutdown Special Leave
A notice from the Niue Public Service Commission has issued a circular informing all Public Servants of the following policy to accommodate the unexpected disruption during the power crisis.
Tuesday 30th May will be treated as Special Leave for all staff.
The Heads of Department are to determine that key staffs that was needed to maintain essential services will be offered TOIL, or Annual Leave
Grant TOIL to staff with current outstanding TOIL hours. Please note that All outstanding TOIL must be used by June 30th.
In other words if you have TOIL hours due to you it would be best to use them all before the end of this month [June] because if you do not they will be removed. Anyone who worked, because you are needed [your HOD should decide this] during the power crisis, will be paid as normal.
Air New Zealand air fares to increase
The new air fares on Air New Zealand have been adjusted to reflect a ‘significant rise’ in recent fuel costs worldwide and the fall in the value of the New Zealand dollar. Travellers will now expect to pay [one way] to Auckland NZ$299-NZ$649 excluding taxes and services, effective from Sunday 18th June.
Professor
Angelo is Niue’s Constitutional Advisor was here for two weeks to provide legal
assistance to the Crown Law Office and other areas in Government. Professor
Angelo is not a stranger to Niue and we are fortunate to retain the services of
one of New Zealand’s most accomplished constitutional lawyers.
He took over the role of Advisor
to the Government since Quentin Baxter QC, after 1974 but he has been working on
Niue’s legal system since pre-self governing years. The amount of work that
needed to be done is enormous, according to the Crown Law Office, and include
reviewing and drafting of the anti-money laundering and combating the financing
of terrorism bills, the proposed Immigration Bill 2006, and considerations for
the other Legislation issues.
“My assistant and I did manage to achieve most of what we came to do and Crown Law should now be able to complete most of what we have started,” said Professor Angelo. Professor Angelo and his assistant, Rebecca, departed Niue last week and neither is looking forward to New Zealand’s cold winter weather.
Something for everyone in Hakupu Show Day
Last
Saturday’s annual Show Day at Hakupu was probably one of the most successful in
recent years – every resident in the village community was involved, judging by
the number of activities offered to keep the visitors occupied and the variety
of food stalls, which three hours later, were still selling their wares.
“I
have been coming to Hakupu Show Day for years and this is by far the best yet,”
said one regular visitor. Not only was the number of visitors noted, there was a
significant mix of stall holders [including Filipinos, Fijians] and overseas
visitors who had come especially for the occasion.
Mrs Esaena Tanaki who has been away in New Zealand for years was one of the guest speakers. “I might live in Auckland but my heart and my spirit will always be here because Hakupu is my home.” I am amazed at finding Hakupu village smaller than I remembered but the spirit of belonging and working together is still here and I am very proud to be counted as one of you. I thank you for making me and my children welcome.”
Such was the physical evidence of a thriving living community that the Premier and the Minister of Community Affairs were both compelled to speak out against allegations in the media about Niue as a ‘failed state.’ “I am very angry that we have been referred to us as a failed state,” Hon Pihigia told the locals and visitors. Looking at you today and the way you have supported your living communities I don’t see a failed state. Instead I see a state of happy citizens doing the best they can with what they have. I thank the New Zealand High Commission and the Government of New Zealand for their continued support of our living communities. I thank our supporters, donors and sponsors for the help we have continued to receive. Though our lives have been determined by the dictates of natural elements we have learnt to accept and to live with them. Our state has not failed nor will it ever be while we are still a viable living community.”
![Text Box: The uga [coconut crabs] display drew the most interest](niuekimua_June_issue2_files/image037.gif){kind=small}
The activities on offer ranged from delicious, delectable breakfast menus from the food stalls there is something for everyone: handcrafts to be admired, face painting, electronic games, entertainment to celebrate the village tupuna, young children and followed by a jazzy number performed by young nubile beautiful women of Hakupu in the threshold of womanhood. The coconut crabs drew admirers like bees to a honey pot; some kept going back for a second or third look while others debated and argued about their sizes and ages for no one has yet to discover how to gauge accurately how old an uga really is. Spot the former Shortland Street star who had come especially for this annual community event!
They say that a single picture is worth a thousand words, so NKM has added a gallery of selected photographs for your pleasure.
Hakupu
Show Day Photo Gallery
Apologies
The publisher of Niue Ki Mua would like to apologise to readers of the lateness of this issue. The week of the power crisis made it extremely difficult to maintain the flow of information that Niue Ki Mua was becoming capable of. We did have access to a restricted power source during the week of the crisis, thanks to Minister Bill Motufoou for the use of his portable generator.
Publisher: Public Relations Office
Premier’s Department
Falefono
Alofi, NIUE
June 2006
The PRC Ambassador visits Niue : Cabinet Meeting notes : From the Premier’s Office : Professor Tony Angelo : Ambassador Yuanyuan visits Niue : Notice from the Commissioner : Niue High School Sports Day : Hakupu Show Day