Weekly Niue News http://www.niuenews.nu/ [2004-09-11: list updated for new site] _______________________________________________ > We have 3 guests online > Rejoicing the new beginning and the loyalty of the community > to its island state were the themes today (October 19) of a > two-hour flag raising ceremony at the Niue High School > celebrating 30 years of self government. > > Premier Young Vivian said Niue had a lot to be thankful for > especially > following the devastating January cyclone. He said New Zealand > and Australia along with French Polynesia and neighbouring > countries had rallied to make sure the homeless were housed > and businesses were set back of their feet as quickly as > possible. He paid tribute to Niue's first premier Sir Robert > Rex and the politicians in the first government formed in 1974 > when self government was supported by the New Zealand Labour > government whose Prime Minister of that time was Norman Kirk. > > Mr Vivian said the future looked exciting with the current > Prime Minister of > New Zealand Helen Clark coming to Niue next week to sign a > memorandum of understanding giving Niue economic and > administrative assistance in a bid to strengthen its economy > and help it become less reliant on assistance. > > He welcomed the Reef Groups' fish and nonu processing plants > saying it wasthe first positive sign of investment confidence. > > Mr Vivian said in the past three years he had strived for > political > stability and this was borne out by the absence of votes of no > confidence > and no changes in his Cabinet line up. > > Finally, he thanked the residents of Niue for their loyalty to > their country > which, he added, had an exciting future. He paid tribute to > New Zealand High Commissioner Sandra Lee-Vercoe who he > described as having an extraordinary passion for Niue. > > President of the Ekalesia Niue Rev.Falkland Luivaie pastor of > Makefu praised those people who had lost all their possessions > and their homes during Cyclone Heta but despite being crushed > by the crisis had picked themselves up and remained loyal to > Niue. He said he was concerned that people were still leaving > the island. He said it was those Niueans who remained staunch > and loyal and have survived the January rigors with renewed > vigour who will be the backbone of the new Niue. > > High Commissioner Sandra Lee-Vercoe said a lot had happened to > Niue since the last constitution celebrations. She said many > countries and aid agencies had been working together to ensure > Niue would be reconstructed as quickly as possible. She > reassured Niueans that they were inextricably linked to > NewZealand and there was a law to protect that status and > guarantee Niueans New Zealand citizenship. > > Special guest at the celebrations was Mr Todd McLay the Niue > and Cook > Islands High Commissioner to the European Union. > Later in the day canoe racing was held at Sir Robert's Wharf, > Alofi. > > [date.gif] Wednesday, 20 October 2004 > the nonu collection point at Mutalau and the Vaiea nonu > orchard and processing plant, the 30th Constitution > celebrations October 15-22 and the Taoga Niue national fono, > October 28.Saturday October 16 is Avatele village show-day. > Last Updated ( Wednesday, 20 October 2004 ) > 6489 Visitors
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