Weekly Niue News http://www.niuenews.nu/ [2004-09-11: list updated for new site] _______________________________________________ > We have 7 guests online > Premier Is Among 7 Re-elected Unopposed > [date.gif] Sunday, 17 April 2005 > Stability During Past 3 Years Favours Candidates Seeking > Re-Election > > By A Contributing Editor > > As predicted earlier, judging on past performances there is > unlikely to be any major changes in the composition of the > Legislative Assembly after the April 30 general election on > Niue. While 14 candidates are contesting six common roll seats > previous experience in a stable government under Premier Young > Vivian favours sitting members Terry Coe, OLove Jacobsen, Toke > Talagi, Michael Jackson and Krypton Okesene - with former High > Commissioner to New Zealand Hima Takelesi taking out the sixth > position left vacant by former Premier Sani Lakatani. > > Chasing the common roll seats are former Director of Health > Hale Paka from Mutalau, builder Henry Eveni from Tuapa, > consultant Herman Tagaloailuga from Hikutavake, nonu > orchardist Ahohiva Levi, Hakupu, sports administrator Alan > Puleosi Alofi North , businesswoman Maihetoa Hekau Alofi > South, Taso Tukuniu a planter from Tamakautoga and woodcrafter > Stanley Tafatu of Alofi North. > > Seven of the 14 village seats including that of Premier Young > Vivian at Hakupu and Minister of Health Fisa Pihigia at Tuapa > have been unopposed. > > All eyes will be on the village of Lakepa where sitting MP > John Operator Tiakia faces stiff competition from Kupa > Magatogia, a retired director of education and now head of the > on-line learning facility St Clements University. > > In Alofi South career politician Robert Rex jr faces a > challenge from two candidates with large families in the > electorate former MP Makamau Hekau and the public works > outside services supervisor Organ Viliko who is brother of > common roll sitting member OLove Jacobsen. Both men have large > extended families and strong affiliations to the Mormon > Church. They are predicted to split the vote. > > In the neighbouring constitutency of Alofi North long-time > retired former secretary to government and chair of the > controversial Taoga Niue Group Terry Chapman takes on sitting > member Vainga Tukuitoga one of three women in the election. > She is unlikely to lose having been a strong advocate for > women and cultural affairs during the past six years. > > Cabinet Minister Bill Vakaafi Mootu who as Minister of > Agriculture and Fisheries opened doors for the Reef Group to > develop the fish processing factory and nonu orchards faces a > challenge from former educationalist Nuihepeni Tongakilo but > goes into the vote-off as the favourite. > > In several other villages sitting members are expected to be > returned some electorates have as few as 10 voters. About 800 > residents are expected to go to the polls on April 30. > High Court Dismisses Bid To Stop Debt Payment > Hammers Banging On Hospital Site > > Construction work has commenced on the new > $6.5million hospital at Kaimiti. Materials for the cottage > type hospital arrived on the last cargo vessel. > > Contractors are using local labour where possible. Additional > funding of $500,000 for the project is being considered by New > Zealand after is was discovered foundations and the flooring > needed strengthening. Its likely the new facility will take a > year to build. It includes and intensive care unit and > operating theatre and dental annex. Special video conferencing > facilities are planned to allow doctors to consult specialists > in New Zealand in emergency cases. > > Last Updated ( Saturday, 16 April 2005 ) > 40799 Visitors
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