Weekly Niue News http://www.niuenews.nu/ [2004-09-11: list updated for new site] _______________________________________________ > We have 7 guests online > New Zealand's economic developent minister Jim Anderton and > associate foreign affairs Minister Marian Hobbs - during a two > day stop over on Niue - have been pitching a three way > partnership to Niue in a bid to "stabilize" the troubled tiny > island. The deal involving co-operative efforts by the NZ > government, the Niue Government and the Niue private sector is > believed to be the basis of a memorandum of understanding to > be signed by Premier Young Vivian and NZ PM Helen Clark at the > end of next month. > > Mr Anderton told the business sector that it was important to > give confidence to people thinking about moving back to the > island and that the private sector in a partnership with the > government could provide that. He said his government would be > happy to provide assistance to economic development on Niue > similar to that which was offered to regions in New Zealand. " > That doesn't mean to say you are becoming a part of New > Zealand - you have your own government, we can't do that - but > it will be a similar thing in a New Zealand government - Niue > government - private sector partnership." > Mr Anderston warned:" if you don't try to build an economy you > are never going to get people back to Niue." > [date.gif] Monday, 27 September 2004 > RALLY CALL FOR PRIVATE SECTOR IN KIWI ASSISTANCE OFFER > > After a day inspecting the $3m Niue joint venture fish factory > - ready to open its chillers next month - and the nonu orchard > and processing plant, New Zealand associate foreign minister > Marian Hobbs and economic development minister Jim Anderton > met business representatives Sunday on the site of the > proposed industrial park at Fonuakula. Local politicians, > policemen and government officials matched the number of > private sector representatives. > > The pair, on a two day stop over on Niue, were told by > industrial park project manager Steve Jefferson that all the > materials for the kitset portal building were on site but work > had been delayed because there were not enough concrete mixing > trucks on the island. > > It's understood New Zealand will be sending several trucks to > Niue by the end of the year. > > The $400,000 park which will be a base for 24 local businesses > - most of those victims of Cyclone Heta when they leased > buildings at the PWD Amanau depot - has room for expansion, > said Mr Jefferson.The businesses will be responsible for > fitting-out their allotted spaces. > > Chamber of Commerce official Sonya Talagi claimed there were > now 150 registered private businesses on the island and the > park could eventually provide offices for computer services > and a business advisory centre. > > Mr Anderton said New Zealand wanted to "stablize" Niue so in > the long term there was economic development which in turn > would give people confidence to return home. > > New Zealand he said was keen to see a major clean up of > asbestos, scrap metal and derelict houses and the construction > of a new hospital. > > He answered questions from participants and undertook to > investigate the new bank which purchased Westpac. It was also > suggested while doing that he look closely at why Westpac > pulled out of Niue. > > Mr Anderton said it was important for people on the island to > have a go at developing the place. He used the example of the > Northland township of Moerewa in New Zealand that closed down > after the freezing works ceased to exist. > > "There was not one business open in Moerewa and it was so dead > the banks wouldn't give anyone a loan to buy a $10,000 house," > he said. > > But the local people were given help and with sheer > determination and support from government for the private > sector the place is now booming, he added. > > Mr Anderton said private investment in the fish factory and > nonu plant had demonstrated some people had confidence in the > long term development of an economy on the island. The > Ministers spent time discussing the contents of a memorandum > of understanding which will be signed by New Zealand PM Helen > Clark during a flying visit to the island next month and > toured the island Sunday afternoon.. > > Last Updated ( Sunday, 26 September 2004 ) > 2696 Visitors
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