Makefu
Show Day
Makefu Sets the Standard for Village Show Days.
Being the first to hold a Show Day for the year, Makefu’s small village community always sets the standard for all other village communities to follow. Last Saturday was no exception judging by the number of visitors who were there as early as 7am, determined not to miss out on whatever that was going, particularly the heavenly steaming aromas [which is not too difficult to control at that time of the day] that permeated from the numerous food stalls around the main marquee.
By 8am the village green was a rainbow of colours with the bulk of the visitors either dashing about with aluminium covered plates of food looking for a suitable spot to sit and share with the family while at the same time surveying the area beyond for other interesting sights.
At the long canvas covered tent where the handcraft and produce exhibits, long queues of admirers were feasting their eyes on the beautiful hats, long strings of yellow decorated hihi [shells] and baskets of every size and shape. The menfolk stood around the talo displays secretly lusting after the pride of Makefu, wishfully wanting to know how such enormous talo could be grown amongst the rocky terrain of the village plantations. Mr Tofua, Mr Puletama, Mr Ikimana and Mr Deve Talagi, to name but a few of the village’s well known growers, would be delighted to know that their prodigious produce could draw such intense interest from the visitors.
The pride of Makefu…by Tofua Puletama
Unfortunately the rains arrived sending everyone scrambling for shelter just when the mot important part of the Show Day was beginning – the speeches. Hon Fisa Pihigia, the Minister for Community Affairs declared the Show Day open and lavishly praised the small community of Makefu for the way they have worked together to achieve yet another successful event. “I have every respect for this village and its inhabitants,” he announced. “A small community that has proved every year that by working together anything is possible. I congratulate you Makefu and your village.”
Mrs Heather Wright, the Deputy High Commissioner and representing the New Zealand High Commission, is Makefu’s most generous sponsor that in the past has contributed to the women’s handcraft development and the canoe building project a year before Cyclone Heta wrecked their sea track and effectively halted the canoe building project. “It is our pleasure to support this village,” Mrs Wright, “and the New Zealand High Commission will continue to be a major contributor to all the village communities in Niue.”
The story that Mrs Wright related of a Makefu family who used to live next door to her in Grey Lynn, and who could not return to Niue because ‘they have no family here to come home to. “Now that I am here I have become a cultural bridge for this family, a connection to their homeland that I am very pleased to be part of and therefore ties me to the village of Makefu.”
Not to be outdone, Premier Vivian applauded Makefu and its community. “One of the smallest villages and the most damaged in the 2004 cyclone, yet here they are, two and a half years later about to forge ahead rebuilding their church. They do not look back and they look ahead echoing the Government’s cry to ‘Go Forward, Niue Ki Mua!”
Unfortunately, the rain put a dampener on whatever plans the village had for the remainder of the day and had seen to it that most of the visitors had eaten, bought whatever they wanted and headed home. Well done Makefu!
Cabinet Meeting 02 May, 2006
Endorsed or approved:
1. Cabinet has signed a Niue Timber and Furniture Venture Limited Shareholders Agreement and a Supplementary Agreement with Enrich Corporation of Malaysia. The agreement basically is the first phase in the process of eventually logging native timber on Niue. Consultations among the parties will begin soon.
2. Cabinet has accepted the Niue Public Service Code of Conduct Document from the Niue Public Service Commission. Cabinet added that it would be imperative that all Public Servants will have access to this document.
3. Truth Utalo’s apprenticeship which began with AUSAID [which has since withdrawn its sponsorship] will now be transferred to NZAID.
4. A consultant to review and update the Niue International Airport Exposition manuals. Funding will be sourced from the Miscellaneous Technical Assistance vote.
5. Makefu’s Annual grant to assist with their Annual Show Day on May 6th.
6. Awards for 2007 from NTDC:
1. Accounting Accounting and Financial Management [undergraduate.]
2. Music Teaching [undergraduate]
3. Electrical Engineering – Electrical- Trades Cert /Diploma
4. Civil Engineering – Water, Roading, structures – [undergraduate]
The Republic of china Awards:
1. Automotive Engineering [Mechanics and Technicians]
2. Electrical Engineering [Electric/Electronic for Home Appliances/Repair
3.
Mechanical Engineering [Refrigeration
and Air Conditioning]
Commonwealth Postgraduate Scholarship Awards tenable in New Zealand and are fully funded
Travelling on Government Business.
Cabinet Ministers’ Concerns:
The Fono Ekepule [The Legislative Assembly Meeting]
This month’s agenda for our Members of Parliament included unfinished business from the previous Fono and the reason why it took two days to cover all the items tabled for debate and discussions.
All 14 village members attended while two from the Common Roll, Ekepule Michael Jackson [away overseas] and Ekepule Krypton Okesene [on sick leave] were absent.
12 motions [of which 7 were carried over from the 9th March Fono] and 42 questions [3 from the 9th March Fono] were tabled for discussion.
Most of the motions and the questions ranged from money issues, Public Services, population and Immigration, and about governance, transparency and accountability.
Of the motions 4 were defeated, 5 withdrawals, two were declined by the speaker and only one was carried.
The only motion carried was that by Common Roll member Ekepule Takelesi. ‘That the Assembly records its appreciation to Tony and Christina Fuemana for their effort in trying to encourage young Niueans in New Zealand to return to the island.’
The Meeting ended at midday, Thursday, 4th May.
DAFF Working bee at Vaipapahi
Last Friday the entire staff from DAFF [Department of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries] were engaged in a working bee clean up of Vaipapahi Farm.
“We achieved quite a bit,” said Niue Vanilla Project Co-ordinator Mr Valu Tukiuha, “but we really need more hands to be able to do everything that needs doing.”
Vaipapahi
Farm is beginning to have interesting plants and animals to see. The pig
breeding stock are amazing animals compared to our Kapeni Kuki variety and they
are HUGE, the size of a small horse but bigger all around.
The vanilla patches are healthy as are the kafika saplings growing amongst the mangoes, avocado and other exotic trees. If kept in its present neat and tidy condition it may well become an attraction for both locals and visitors and a ‘must see’ attraction.
Vaipapahi was originally an experimental agricultural farm established in the 1950s to show the local growers what could be achieved if growers were interested in diversifying their subsistence production. It was popular when it first started, particularly with technologies for drying copra, pigs and chickens but the failure to successfully grow citrus fruits such as oranges and mandarins on Niue was a disappointment to the Department of agriculture.
In the past few years and up to the time of Cyclone Heta, vanilla and propagation of kava stock and other flowering plant varieties have been established. The manager of the property was hoping to revive grower and animal stock interest amongst the local populace.
Premier Vivian was so impressed with DAFF Director and his staff that he felt it important enough to let everyone know how pleased he was of their initiative and organisation to clean up Vaipapahi.
The following Information about NEVAT and an article were submitted by Mrs Birtha Lisimoni-Tongahai and NEVAT participant Ms Talava Tuhipa-Turner. Their contributions are hereby noted and acknowledged with thanks.
Seizing the Day: An opportunity of a lifetime
By Talava Tuhipa – Turner
Monu Tagaloa
The first time I ever heard of NEVAT (Niue Experience Vaka Atu Toa) was in passing at a meeting a few years ago between the Niue students at Auckland University and Premier Misitaiagimene Vivian. I remember thinking how fantastic it would be, as a NZ born Niue child, if I could be emotionally and physically supported by this programme and be brave enough to take the plunge and spend three months in Niue.
The author, Ms Talava Hipa-Turner, and Yannick Feilo
Over
the next few years I paid little thought to NEVAT until I attended the inaugural
Atuhau Fuata Niue Youth Conference in Auckland last October. At the meeting,
Birtha Lisimoni gave a presentation about NEVAT, an opportunity to experience
Aga Fakamotu (Niue culture) and Vagahau Niue (Niue language) for three months
while enabling the recipient to contribute in some way to the ongoing
development of Niue, through opportunities to work voluntarily in various
government departments. Positive collaboration with the Niue government, who
assisted with funding through Taoga Niue, further reinforced one of the most
significant focal points of the NEVAT programme – to live and learn Niue culture
and language. Furthermore, applicants would be selected on the basis of an
essay competition stating why you deserved to be awarded this opportunity.
Birtha’s announcement set off alarm bells in my head. The bells were not an ominous warning rather they heralded a stellar opportunity not to be missed. So, closeting myself in the back of the room, I poured my heart into the short essay and taking a leap of courage, submitted it.
And here I am.
I am one of two recipients, the other being Yannick Feilo, a 16 year old secondary school student who is currently attending Niue High School. I am impressed with the level of courage Yannick has shown by taking up this opportunity to leave his family and friends at such a young age to return to his ancestral homeland. This opportunity is a chance of a lifetime for both Yannick and myself.
For as long as I can remember, my parents (Tutagaloa Tose Tuhipa – Hikutavake and Mutalau and David Turner – Peritania) have always been very supportive, encouraging me to celebrate and learn about both sides of my heritage as well as the heritage of my birthplace, Aotearoa NZ.
In 2004, I graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Planning (Hons) Degree and for the past two and a half years I have been working as a policy adviser on environmental issues for the Ministry of Transport in Wellington. My employer has been very supportive, first awarding me the Ministry’s Pacific Island Scholarship to assist with University studies and then allowing me to take three months leave without pay to take up the NEVAT opportunity. I am one of only two Pasifika people (out of a total staff of 150) currently working at the Ministry.
I am very passionate about being involved in the Niue and wider Pasifika community. Recent highlights are my involvement in organizing the Hulaaga Vagahau Niue (Niue Biennial Language Conference), held in Wellington last year, and becoming a member of the Atuhau Fuata Niue (NZ) Committee.
While the NEVAT programme has not started as smoothly as hoped, in the past two weeks I have been in Niue I have learnt and experienced so much and have met so many lovely people – many my own relatives that I have never met or seen for a long time. My main goals for the next three months are to continue to learn more about Niue culture (past and present) and improve my Vagahau Niue skills.
My appreciation to Birtha Lisimoni (NEVAT), Moira Enetama (Taoga Niue), Niu Tauevihi (Fale Fono) – who took me under his wing from day one, my mother Tutagaloa Tose Tuhipa – who has accompanied me for the first part of this journey – and my many family members and friends that have given me so much assistance and encouragement.
Oue tulou. Kitu kitu eee a!
TAOGA NIUE/NEVAT 2006 FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS
Mrs Birtha Lisimoni-Tongahai and her young charges, Talava and Yannick
The
recent Fono Atuhau Fuata Niue held in Auckland last November will always be
memorable for two young New Zealand-born Niue youth. Talava Tuhipa-Turner and
Yannik Feilo were the successful recipients of a joint Taoga Niue/NEVAT (Niue
Vaka Atu Toa) Fellowship beating others in the essay competition, where
participants at the meeting were required to write a response on “Why do I
deserve this Fellowship”. Optimism was in the air when they finally touched
down at Hanan International Airport on the 21st April 2006 and
despite not receiving the red carpet welcome, they were happy to remain
open-minded and anticipating their experience on Niue with the attitude of
taking it “one day at a time”.
Talava of Hikutavake/Mutalau/British heritage still remembers her first experience here when she visited Niue at the age of five. She works as a Policy Advisor with the Ministry of Transport in Wellington where she has been for the past two and a half years following graduating from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Planning in 2004. Yannik of Alofi/Tamakautoga/Avatele heritage, on the other hand is a first time visitor. He is a 7th Former/Year 13 student from Avondale College. He is still on a high after leading the Niue Avondale College Cultural group to win first place in the Niue Small Group section at the recent Polyfest for Auckland Secondary Schools held last March. Both of them are still walking on air and could not believe that they are actually here on Niue after winning the Fellowship. They are also looking forward to learning the culture, savoring every moment, and putting their heart and soul into everything they will be doing whilst here on the Rock. The Fellowship includes travel assisted by Taoga Niue, work placement on a voluntary basis, and accommodation, transport and meals provided by NEVAT.
The three months has already started and Talava started work today, attached to the Public Relations Office in the Premier’s Department whilst Yannik is still marveling at his first day at Niue High School having come from Avondale College’s school roll of 2800 compared to our mere 200 students. He looks forward to joining the school’s First XV as well as trying to learn and speak Vagahau Niue whilst here. Talava will be joining some women’s groups for weaving and crafts as well as taking in the sights and documenting various cultural activities. Talava and Yannik joined NEVAT’s Hall of Fame’s three previous recruits, Berth Aue, Kenn Makaola and Angela Calvert who visited Niue in 2003.
Taoga Niue and NEVAT are very proud of their two protégés and warmly welcome them and wishing them a safe and worthwhile stay on Niue.
Mrs Birtha Lisimoni-Tongahai
NEVAT Office
01st May 2006.
Yachting Season arrives.
While a singing lark may herald the beginning of summer, a single yacht that is parked out there off the reef behind Falefono, is definitely a sign for us that the cyclone season is over and we can all breathe a sigh of relief, [earthquakes, of course, notwithstanding.]
The yachting fraternity, of which over 100 visit Niue each off-cyclone season, [and the numbers increase every passing year] is very important in terms of global exposure for our nation. On the local scene they contribute significantly to our economy by buying supplies, buying Niuean made goods for memorabilia, paying mooring fees, and sampling Niuean cooked food in our eating places and visiting our other tourist attractions.
Niue as a port of call is increasing in popularity as one of the most well-liked South Pacific destinations according to those who have been here because it is clean and the people are warm and friendly. What better testimonial than to make sure that the said fraternity continue to recommend Niue as a destination worthwhile place to come to?
Public Relations Office
Premiers Department
Falefono
Alofi, NIUE
May 10 2006