Weekly Niue News http://www.niuenews.nu/ [2004-09-11: list updated for new site] _______________________________________________ > We have 9 guests online > February 12 2005 > SHIELD FILLIP FOR OUR 7's > Niue 7s Shield victory in the IRB Wellington tournament was a > proud moment for the island team thats beginning to make an > impact on the international scene. Coach Ricky Tagelagi said > it was Niue's fourth invitation ( three at Wellington one in > Brisbane) to play in an IRB tournament and the team is gaining > valuable experience at top level. > > " We have a strong core of talented players but need more time > together before tournaments and Im hoping to get to Niue to > set up a similar training regime to that we are using with New > Zealand based players," Mr Tagelagi told the Niue News. > > Mr Tagelagi also stressed the need to give up-and-coming > players a chance to experience competition at top level. > > "We need to come together," he said after discussing the New > Zealand/Niue team structure. "We are all Niueans and proud of > that fact so its essential we put our resources into fostering > co-operation between players, coaches and officials in New > Zealand and on Niue." > > Mr Tagelagi who helped set up the Counties-Manukau rugby > academy is the IRB appointed representative to assist the > development of rugby on Niue. > > "We have the resources and support, so its a matter of working > together to make sure we have Niue on the international scene > and gain positive experience from every tournament we take > part in," said Mr Tagelagi. > > He is counting on assistance from the senior 7s players to > promote and encourage younger players who show potential. > > Screwed On Fishing Deals > > Corruption and short-sighted policies cost Pacific Islanders > hundreds of millions of dollars annually in lost fishing > license revenue, according to the head of the University of > the South Pacific's Institute of Advanced Studies in > Development and Governance, Professor Ron Duncan. He says > islanders are being "screwed" by Asian fishing nations that > badger islands government leaders into accepting fees at rates > that are less than one-third of the 16 percent of catch values > collected by African nations. At a time when the Pacific tuna > fishery catch is growing, the average revenue from the catch > is moving down from a poor 4 percent to 3 percent, he told > Islands Business. A 16 percent return would bring the islands' > revenue to around US$320 million given that the annual catch > of around one million tons of fish is estimated to have a > market value exceeding US$2 billion. > > Meanwhile the StarKist fish processing plant in American Samoa > has closed because of the shortage of tuna. About 2,700 > employees have been sent home but plant officials say they > hope to re-open the factory next week. > [date.gif] Friday, 11 February 2005 > Exclusive Part 3 - final > > ABANDONED HOME ISSUE QUICK FIX OR PAY TO HAVE IT DEMOLISHED > Why should Niue residents feel they are living in a community > of ghost towns whose days are numbered? > In this third and final part of Don Hunns Whole of Government > Review he examines the issues of re-population, the size of > the Legislative Assembly and the influence of Niueans in New > Zealand on the development of the island.The Review is > currently being discussed by the Niue and New Zealand > governments. Many issues in the report were raised at a Joint > Consultative Group meeting in Wellington last week. > > There is a feeling on the island that those who "abandoned" > Niue should not determine its future, said Mr Hunn. "The view > was expressed frequently that Government development and > population stabilization policies (and the funding that goes > with it) should be based on the principle of "Niuean residents > first," he said. > > Mr Hunn gained the impression that the shadow of the Niuean > diaspora hangs over the living community in Niue itself and > that there is still some resentment towards the term " living > community." " Particulary in respect to property rights > Ministers feel inhibited as to what they can do although they > contend that land issues have not stood in the way of economic > development. These views however have been challenged by some > Assembly members. > > Mr Hunn contended that recovery from Cyclone Heta offered an > unequalled opportunity to deal with a major problem abandoned, > derelict homes. He considered the damaged asbestos roofs are > progressively falling in or "waiting for the next cyclone to > deposit them in the bush." > > "I am sure there is a strong case for public health > legislation to require the owners of all houses with damaged > roofs to remove the asbestos by a certain date and if they > fail to do so for the Government to do it for them and charge > of the service." > > This would be the first step in requiring owners of all > abandoned houses - either repair them and have them occupied > or agree to them being demolished. > > "It is essential for the well-being of those who remain on the > island that they do not feel they are living in a community of > ghost towns whose days are numbered. > > Discussing re-population, Mr Hunn said he had not had a chance > to speak to Niueans resident in New Zealand prior to the > report but said if the Niue Government wants to be successful > in re-populating the island it will have to explore a number > of options including attracting both Niuean and non-Niuean New > Zealanders. He presumed the aim would be to retain more of the > younger generation as well as bring in new residents. > > "The key to that will be the provision of more employment > opportunities at pay rates which will enable expectations, > influenced by the New Zealand comparison, to be met," said Mr > Hunn. > > Standards of health and edition and communication facilities > will also have to bear comparison. > > On the issue of the size and cost of the Legislative Assembly, > Mr Hunn noted that previous Constitution Review Committees had > discussed the matter but their recommendations had been > invariably shelved. > > Mr Hunn said the issue was certain to get bogged down because > it was unlikely Assemblymen would vote themselves out of a > job. > > His solution: "Progress in this respect would be more likely > to flow from a broader look at the Constitution which was seen > by about half the Assembly I saw as timely and desirable," he > added. > > "If all the elements of the Constitution were discussed by the > community it could well be that acceptance would be gained for > a reduction in the number of Assemblymen." > > Canoe Club Request Slated > > The Auckland-based Mangere trust building an outriggers canoe > club is asking for another $400,000 from the Manukau City > Council just weeks before a court case related to the > financial dealings of a former trustee. > > The Manukau Outriggers Canoeing Whare Nui Trust in Auckland > has asked the council for funding to help it cover increased > costs of building clubrooms in Mangere Bridge. > > Several Niuean teams successfully compete in the Trusts > outrigger competitions. > > The trust also asked the council to release the $237,496 > already promised for the project. > > The request comes less than two weeks before Mangere > councillor and former trustee James Papali'i appears in court > on several counts related to misappropriation of funds from > the trust. > > He is due to appear again at Manukau District Court on > February 21 on a charge of theft by misappropriation, seven > counts of forgery and seven counts of uttering forged > documents. > > Mangere resident Ken Taylor says the trust has "a cheek" to > ask for more money so close to the court case. > > "I think it's outlandish, absolutely outlandish." > > Mr Papali'i says he resigned from the trust and is only > assisting them in his role as a Mangere councillor. > > "I don't think it's bad timing. I resigned from the trust and > I believe I will be cleared. It has got nothing to do with the > alleged fraud." > > Mr Papali'i's wife Vanessa was to make the trust's > presentation requesting more funding to the council's > community development committee. > > The $400,000 could come from the council's cash in lieu > reserves so rates aren't affected, Mr Papali'i says. > > The cost of building the clubrooms has increased from $800,000 > to $1.2 million in the two years since the trust first applied > for resource consent because of increases in construction > costs. > > The outriggers club has proved controversial since it was > first proposed. Some Mangere Bridge residents have opposed the > idea since 1999. > > After the clubrooms received council approval in December > 2003, residents appealed the decision to the Environment > Court. The appeal was unsuccessful. > > The two-storey clubrooms are intended to provide storage for > 20 waka. There will also be showers, toilets, changing > facilities and a licensed bar. > > IN A NUTSHELL: > > Thanks: A message from Brandon Williams: "Many thanks to the > people and those families particularly in the surrounding > villages of Niue, including those in NZ for their aroha and > support shown to me during my stay in Niue after the > devastation of Cyclone Heta. Speedo Hetutu, Phil, John and the > crew at Tuila made my stay busy. The hospitality shown to me > by Fuku Togahai and whanau was just tumeke. It's been just > over a year now, would love to bring my partner and son over, > especially now it's greener, show my son the place where > "Kings would swim." Wonderful place, alive with the hum and > hospitality shown only by people of Pasifika. Naku noa na." > > Poll: The Niue Public Service Commission, often a target of > criticism from politicians and public servants, is in need of > an overhaul according to 90.9% of those who took part in last > weeks Niue News poll. 9.1% thought the employing authority of > the government was ok and did not require any changes. > > Diplomatic: Keeping the Niue High Commission office open in > Wellington is former director of agriculture, fisheries and > forestry Ernest Nemaia. Hes been working for the Reef Group in > Auckland. Former High Commissioner Hima Takelesi is back on > island campaigning for a seat in the April Legislative > Assembly election. The new High Commissioner, tipped to be > Sisilia Talagi secretary to the government, is likely to take > up the post after the April election. > > Legal: Former Crown lawyer Peleni Talagi daughter of Minister > of Finance Toke Talagi and director of administration Fifita > Talagi is now employed by the Auckland based Reef Group. Reef > has interests in Niues fish factory and nonu juice facilities. > > Weed-killer: Many taro and vegetable growers want to keep > using the controversial Paraquat weed-killer. Although an > alternative is being trialed the growers contend its not > proving successful. The Niue Island Organic Growers > Association wants Paraquat banned because it prevents the > growers association from obtaining certification for > organically grown vegetables. The government is gradually > phasing out the weed-killer that is banned in many Pacific > states. > > Rubbish: Plans to have the pile of scrap metal at Aliluki > crushed and shipped off island before March seem to have > stalled. Its understood an Australian company is to remove the > piles of old motor vehicles, refrigerators and corrugated > iron. A decision is still awaited on the disposal of tonnes of > asbestos removed from houses and sitting in a yard near the > airport runway. > > Prices: A report from neighbouring Tonga says a new 15 per > cent Consumption tax will come into force there, on the first > of April. Radio Tonga reports the new tax will replace the > five per cent sales tax and the 20 per cent port and services > tax. The manager of the Tonga Co-operative Federation, Tevita > Lavemaau, believes the the new tax system will see the prices > of some goods drop by as much as eight per cent. > > But he says the consumption tax is based on a user-pays > system, which will see an increase in the costs of > commonly-bought goods, such as food. He says the new tax > system will affect everyone, rich and poor. > > Tactics: The Fiji-based Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), > which represents protestant churches in the Pacific region, > including Niue, has slammed French Polynesia President Gaston > Flosse for using "scare tactics" in his campaign for > re-election in by-elections this weekend in the French Pacific > country. > > "We condemn dirty campaign politics in Tahiti and we pray for > a peaceful and just outcome," PCC Executive Secretary > Feiloakitau Kaho Tevi said in a document released jointly by > the PCC, regional Pacific Concerns Resource Centre and PCC's > parent body, the World Council of Churches. > > The joint release also "condemns the use of the economic and > social state of the Pacific region as an instrument used as > part of Gaston Flosse's current election campaign." > > "He is using the development level of the Pacific Island > countries to scare voters if they are to vote for the opposing > party that is calling for the independence of French > Polynesia. Flosse provided 20 kitset homes and a disaster > management team for Niue following the devastating cyclone of > 2004. > > Warming: The environmental group Greenpeace says the unusually > high seasonal King Tides which have been affecting the Pacific > Atoll of Kiribati this week are evidence the world needs to do > more to combat global warming. High tides of 2.8 metres have > been battering the coasts of Kiribati, damaging sea walls and > inundating some homes. While the tides are a natural > phenomenon, Greenpeace believes their effect is being worsened > by greenhouse gas emissions causing rising sea levels. > > USP Centres Face Change > > Incoming vice-chancellor of the University of the South > Pacific, Anthony Tarr, says he wants to make the institution > more accessible to students of all its 12 member countries. > Niue has a USP centre that offers a full range of distance > learning and foundation courses. A small number of Niuean > students study full time at the USP in Fiji and Vanuatu. > Professor Tarr is planning a number of initiatives to help > improve academic standards. Among them the creation of four > new facilities, to which professor Tarr wants to appointment > executive deans by the end of this year. Professor Tarr is > also hoping to develop the regions biggest "study abroad > program" for international students. > Can The Government Really Step Back? > By A Contributing Editor > The Whole of Government Review evolved from the Niue > Governments intention to embark on a course to achieve > "sovereignty with self sufficiency" underlines a number of > issues necessary to begin the process of change in the > legislative and public service arenas giving the private > sector greater emphasis in the economy. > > Due to the large number of plans, agreements and reports Mr > Don Hunn has recommended the establishment of a joint New > Zealand/Niue Working Party to be chaired by the secretary to > government. It would be responsible for assisting Ministers to > prioritize activities and prepare a two year plan under the > umbrella of the Niue Integrated Strategic Plan. > > Mr Hunn has recommended the working party be a subsidiary of > the Joint Consultative Group. > > He also suggests that it is timely for the community to look > carefully at the Constitution in the light of lessons learned > over the past 30 years. This move appears to be critical after > the level of dissatisfaction over roles, responsibilities and > relationships between Ministers the Niue Public Service > Commission, Heads of Department the Legislative Assembly and > village councils. > > The future of the Niue Public Service in light of emphasis on > private sector development is necessary says Mr Hunn and he > sees the need to improve efficiency and effectiveness and > centralization as a key to progress. > > Public service morale needs to be addressed along with wage > freeze policies. > > The private sector needs to be freed from unnecessary > bureaucratic intervention and compliance costs and the > government should review its purchasing and maintenance > procedures to see what support can be given to encouraging the > growth of the private sector. > > Mr Hunn also recommends that with contemplated growth in the > population the police and prison facilities need enhancing. > > However the archives probably lost to the ravages of Cyclone > Heta were piled high with concerted action plans, national > strategic plans and developmental policies, many carrying the > same message Mr Hunn has delivered. Nothing eventuated. > > The reality is that within the past 30 years, reform of the > legislature, the public service and practical development of > the private sector has been almost non-existent. Maybe there > has been a lack of trust and a traditional ideology that > government is responsible for society from the cradle to the > grave. > > Its a big ask for a government to veer off course right now. > At present its involved with building a hospital, an > industrial park, and making the most of fishing, vanilla and > nonu opportunities. > > Asking government to act swiftly is unrealistic. A change of > course from public sector reliance to private sector > development is a major leap if its serious about the diversion > it could easily demonstrate that by moving away from trading > operations. Sell off the Bond Store the Bulk Fuel Depot, > outside PWD services and stevedoring, let the private sector > supply and maintain government stationery, information > technology equipment, corporatize the power and > telecommunication and tourism departments. The government > needs to encourage a culture of and value honesty fairness > hard work and demonstrate respect for achievement and > integrity. > Last Updated ( Friday, 11 February 2005 ) > Should absent home-owners be given an ultimatum to repair > their houses or have them demolished? > (_) Don't know > 27617 Visitors
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