Neu: 2002-04-05 Contents of this issue:
1. Backing Marketing 2. Official Candidates Named 3. Ministerial Visits 4. Cooks Target ======================================================================== April 5th, 2002 1. Backing Marketing: While Niue's tourism industry facing wallowing in inactivity for the second season in a row, the New Zealand visitor industry has been told its tourism dollar would quadruple if the Government at least doubled the amount it spends marketing the industry. Rotorua Agrodome managing director Warren Harford, says the New Zealand Tourism Board has a tiny budget to market the country to the rest of the world. His comments have been backed by New Zealand Tourism Board member Mike Tamaki who co-owns the successful Tamaki Tours business, also in Rotorua. They both said New Zealand's small population meant its Government-funded budget for marketing tourism was also small. New Zealand has been criticised for its lack of marketing by John Wegg, editor-in-chief of the American aviation magazine Airways. Mr Wegg said New Zealand was a great destination but it was amazing how many Americans did not know about it. A television marketing campaign had given Australia a high profile while New Zealand "was getting a little left out", he said. Mr Harford said the New Zealand Tourism Board was given about $70 million a year to market the country throughout the world. "If we buy one prime-time television advert in America it would cost us $US1 million ($NZ2.29 million). New Zealand's GST return from tourism is huge and the commitment the Government puts back into tourism is absolute peanuts." Mr Harford said tourism could make or break a country's economy.(NZ Herald). 2. Official Candidates Named: Eighteen candidates will contest six common roll seats in the April 20 general election on Niue. They include four women - Mesdames O'Love Jacobsen, Kilihega Jefferson, Noga Bray and Lofa Rex. Others include: Toke Talagi, Sani Lakatani, Dylan Viviani, Bradley Punu, Stephen McCoy, Hunukitama Hunuki, Michael Jackson, Terry Coe, Krypton Okesene, Timothy Magaoa, Maru Talagi, Atapana Siakimotu, Morris Tafatu, and Lafetu Sipeli. In the village constituencies the following are elected unopposed: Avatele - Billy Talagi; Vaiea - Talaititama Talaiti; Hakupu - Young Viviani, Mutalau - Bill Vakaafi; Hikutavake - Opili Talafasi; Namukulu -Jack Willie; Makefu -Tofua Puletama; Alofi North- Va'ainga Tukuitonga. Contested village seats (sitting member named first): Alofi South - Robert Rex, Makamau Hekau, Puleikitama Tasmania; Tamakautoga - Peter Funaki, Taso Tukuniu; Liku- Pokotoa Sipeli, Nogimoka Poumale; Lakepa- John Operator Tiakia Talitama Magatogia; Toi - Dion Taufitu, Kimray Vaha, Lilivika Muimatagi; Tuapa- Fisa Pihigia, Henry Eveni. Any candidate has the right to withdraw before noon April 12. 3. Ministerial Visits: NZ Foreign Minister Phil Goff heads a delegation of MPs from across the political spectrum, NGOs, academics and officials to Samoa and the Cook Islands next week. The RNZAF 727 jet is scheduled to stop-off in Niue briefly to refuel on April 13. The visit is an opportunity for New Zealand to broaden its understanding of the Pacific and to strengthen links with Samoa and the Cook Islands. "The visit to Samoa will be particularly meaningful this year as it celebrates its fortieth year of independence."It will also provide a valuable opportunity to build on working relationships with members of the Samoan Government following my last visit there in August 2000 for the Forum Foreign Ministers meeting," said Mr Goff. "The delegation will also be visiting aid projects funded through the New Zealand Overseas Development Assistance programme. "New Zealand has exceptionally strong family, economic, political and sporting ties with Samoa. It is estimated that 120,000 Samoans now live in New Zealand. "The visit to the Cook Islands will be my first opportunity to meet with the new Government and renew acquaintances with newly appointed Cooks Prime Minister Dr Robert Woonton."During the visit I will be opening a NZODA funded air strip on the outer Island of Mitiaro. This facility will provide a much-needed boost to one of the Cooks lesser developed islands," said Mr Goff. 4. Cooks Target: Rarotonga will be the focus of government efforts to improve the country's basic infrastructure in the 2002/2003 budget due out in July reports the Cook Island News. According to a section on "infrastructure development" in the budget policy statement released by Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Henry the government will be especially aiming to improve the island's airport, wharves, roading and water supply. Investigating the use of wind power technology as a source of renewable energy will be another priority. The statement says the government will improve on infrastructure development in the 2002/2003 year by focusing on the following: - Seeking financial assistance from donor partners to assist with the upgrade of the Rarotonga and Aitutaki airports with an estimated cost of NZ$ 25 million (US$11,030,750); - Assisting the construction of the new courthouse with funding provided by China estimated at NZ$ 3.8 million (US$ 1,676,674). - Beginning the design and construction of the Rarotonga and Aitutaki solid and liquid waste treatment project. - Funding the Ministry of Works to improve and upgrade roads, drains, foreshores and water reticulation systems on Rarotonga. This will include the allocation of further funds for the maintenance of government buildings managed by the Cook Islands Investment Corporation. - Working closely with the CIIC and the Rarotonga Ports Authority for development of the seaports to accommodate the expanding needs of the fishing industry. Capital expenditure for the outer islands in the current financial year is estimated at NZ$ 2,380,000 (US$ 1,050,127). This includes harbor work at Tukao and Tauhunu in Manihiki - which begins next week - as well as in Rakahanga. Construction of Manihiki's NZ$ 400,000 (US$ 176,492) hospital is expected to begin in about three months' time, following the completion of work on the island's harbors.(CI News). __END__
