NEWSPAGE 18 April
2011

(Photo: Le Va)

NEW ZEALAND: Leading the way for Pacific people

(Photo: Samoa Tourism Authority)

SAMOA: Samoa Tourism Authority updates
Source: Samoa Tourism Authority Press Release

20th Teuila Festival dates in place

The Teuila Festival which is used to be held on the first week of September of the past years, has been slightly shifted forward to encompass the last week of August.

This year’s 20th Teuila Festival will be held from the 28th August - 03rd September 2011.

A noted change in this year’s Festival is the extension of the Festival from Sunday to Saturday when the Teuila Finale, the Miss Samoa Pageant will be held on Saturday 03rd September 2011. For the past two years, the Teuila Festival week had ended on Friday with the Official Prize Giving taking place in the mornings and the Miss Samoa Pageant taking place that same evening. This year the Prize Giving will take place on Friday as usual with the Pageant to only follow on Saturday.

Among these changes are additional competitions as well as various other events that are being formulated and put in place, which visitors and locals alike can expect to witness and even participate in for the upcoming Teuila Festival.


NZ turns up the heat on Pacific mats

New Zealand has issued a new biosecurity rule that requires all ‘pacific style, hand woven or tapa cloth mats that are larger than one square metre must be sent away for heat treatment on arrival at Auckland Airport.’

According to an information pamphlet issued by the New Zealand Government, ‘the heat treatment process takes 15 hours but due to processing queues, it could take up to a week to get your mat back.’

These amended requirements have come about ‘due to the high demand on resources, time and space available to inspect mats at the airports’.

All mats of this kind are said to be put through the heat treatment to ensure ‘that all mats are 100 percent free of pests and diseases’, and to destroy any foreign seeds that could grow in New Zealand.

Those wishing to take mats of this kind into New Zealand are expected to pay for the heat treatment. The information pamphlet states that ‘total cost of treatment will be at least NZD$35 (subject to change), not including delivery. Should you require the mat be delivered to you rather than picking it up, you will be charged extra.’

The saving grace for those taking mats from Samoa to New Zealand is that you can get your mats treated locally prior to your departure for New Zealand.

The Quarantine Division of Samoa’s Ministry of Agriculture (MAFF) is advising the public to bring your mats to their offices at Matautu two days before your expected departure date. They will treat your mats and contact you in two days time to pick up your mats and Certificate that matches New Zealand’s MAF requirements. The cost of the Treatment Certificate at the Quarantine Office is SAT$12.90 not including the cost of treatment. The treatment cost differs according to various factors that the Quarantine Officers will be happy to elaborate on when you arrive.

Should you not have your mats treated here and refuse to have your mats treated upon arrival at the Auckland Airport, you run the risk of having your mats sent back to the country of origin at your own expense or the mats destroyed.

So, if you’re thinking of taking fine mats, siapo (tapa cloth) or just normal hand woven mats to NZ, make sure that you either get them treated here or prepare to part with them at the Auckland Airport for up to a week.

For further information you can either contact Samoa’s MAFF Quarantine Division on number (+685 20924) or visit the NZ Biosecurity Website; www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/plants/standards/bnz-dppp-imprt.htm
 

AMERICAN SAMOA: Faleomavaega concerned about 2011/2012 budget cuts
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega announced on Friday that he has reviewed the budget negotiated on Friday April 8, 2011, by Speaker Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Reid, and President Obama, to avoid a government shutdown. Introduced in the House as H.R. 1473, the bill appropriates funds for all federal government agencies for the remainder of FY 2011. Both the House and Senate had already approved and President Obama signed the full-year continuing resolution into law later the same day.

“While I appreciate the need to trim the federal debt, which is expected to reach about $15 trillion by the end of FY 2011, I do support selectively cutting spending while investing in areas like education and clean-energy initiatives that hold the potential for long-term payoffs in economic growth. This common sense approach will help rein in spending to within reasonable levels without undermining programs that are vital to job creation and economic development,” Faleomavaega said.

The full-year appropriation, H.R. 1473, includes $38.5 billion in total spending cuts spread across many federal agencies, including Office of Insular Affairs (OIA), Department of the Interior. The OIA budget is reduced by about $1 million for the remainder of FY 2011. Of this amount, OIA spending on assistance to the territories has been reduced from $75.9 million in FY 2010 to $75.0 million in FY 2011.

“The current Congressional budget reductions could have potential impact on key funding areas for American Samoa. For example, Congressional funding for ASG operations included expenditures on education, the LBJ Hospital, public works, and the college. For the past twenty years, ASG has also received a yearly sum of about $10 million to do capital improvement projects,” Faleomavaega said.

“It should be noted that FY 2011 budget has just been completed and now on its way for President Obama’s signature. Congress is now faced with the dilemma of conducting hearings and come up with a budget for FY 2012, which begins on 1 October 2011. And its most likely that the Republican majority in the House will be proposing more spending cuts in the operations and programs currently administered by the federal government,” Faleomavaega noted.

“I will continue to keep our people informed as more information becomes available”, Faleomavaega concluded.
 

(Photo: University of the South Pacific)

FIJI: 2011 USP Graduation Ceremony
Source: University of the South Pacific

The University of the South Pacific held its Graduation Ceremony at the Vodafone Arena in Suva on 8 April, 2011.

Tradition came to life as the flags of the 12 USP member countries decked the stage to mark this auspicious occasion which is a milestone achievement in the lives of successful scholars.

The ceremony was attended by members of the USP Council and Senate, USP staff, dignitaries from the public and private sector, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Heads of international and regional organizations, grandaunts and their families and friends, and invited guests.

For the first time, the ceremony was aired around the region on Fiji One and Sky Pacific channels.

In his address, the Vice-Chancellor and President of USP, Professor Rajesh Chandra congratulated the graduates and described the occasion as “a special day of celebration and formal and public recognition of the efforts and success of these graduates.”

He acknowledged the contributions and sacrifices made by parents, family members, employers, friends and the University staff to enable the grandaunts to achieve their dreams.

Professor Chandra advised graduates to make worthwhile contributions towards their families, countries and the world.

“The USP experience is all about being a member of the Pacific Community and as new graduates you should not lose sight of your obligation to sustainable development of your respective countries,” he added.

A total of 1281 students received degrees at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels including Certificates and Diplomas.

Professor Chandra reminded graduates to make the University proud by being hard-working, innovative and committed.

“Be ethical in your future work, lead a life of meaning and impact, and be willing to make a difference. These should be the inspiring elements of the USP brand of which you will all be ambassadors,” he emphasised.

In highlighting plans to further develop regional campuses; improve student services and facilities; make further investments in capital expenditure; and increase funds for staff development, Professor Chandra said that this, will further improve student experience and the quality of the University.

He noted that confidence in the University continues to grow as indicated by the increase in enrolment numbers in 2011 by 10 percent overall, with 20 percent increase in postgraduate enrolment.

According to Professor Chandra, improvements in student support and services include a 144-bed hostel which is nearing completion, further capital developments for students at USP campuses and the completion of the second phase of the Japan-Pacific ICT Centre in November.

He outlined plans to build a new campus in the Solomon Islands and the Marshall Islands and to consolidate USP activities in Kiribati with a major building and added that significant development for the Emalus Campus is scheduled to start in July 2011 and the Institute of Education in Tonga will be further strengthened.

Professor Chandra explained that USP is preparing a comprehensive Development Plan for all campuses to ensure that the University is responding fully to the needs of all member countries.

He further elaborated that USP has increased its efforts to recruit more high quality senior academic staff to ensure that the University produces outstanding graduates, rigorous and valuable research outputs and supports governments with high quality, innovative advice.

Professor Chandra stated that USP has achieved a great deal in its past 43 years and is determined to transform itself into a higher quality, more relevant and sustainable institution that is widely seen as valuable by governments, students, development partners and other stakeholders.

He reiterated to the graduates to uphold the good reputation of the University and wished them success in their future endeavours.

Photo Caption: A total of 1281 USP students graduated in the 2011 April Graduation Ceremony.
 

(Photos: New Zealand Defence Force)

TONGA: Team of NZ Defence Force doctors and dentists help local community
Source: New Zealand Defence Force Press Release

Throughout the past week, New Zealand Defence Force doctors, dentists and nursing officers on the island of Niuatoputapu (Tonga) have worked to help the future health of the local population, as part of Pacific Partnership.

A group of Defence doctors and nursing officers have carried out First Aid courses, clinics and a health and hygiene course, while local teachers, parents and school children have learned preventative dental and medical methods. The island has only one dental hygienist and one nurse to cater to over 800 people.

A team of nine Defence dentists and dental hygienists have had demanding schedules giving hands-on presentations in preventative dentistry and conducting dental exams for over 200 patients, with around 150 of these patients being school aged children. More than 100 children and teenagers have had dental checks already and have been through a preventative dentistry course in which they are given a toothbrush and utensils to keep and are taught how to brush effectively.

The island ' s only dental therapist Luisa Salt said it has been great to have the support of the Defence Force dentists to both inform and work on the populations dental needs.

“It’s been more than a huge help to me and the families here.”

The Officer in Command of the dental section of the exercise, Major Tiffany Logan said that one of the most important areas to teach and promote dental health was with the school age children.

“Our goal is to leave a lot of knowledge that enables the people here to prevent further avoidable health issues.”

Defence Force Nursing Officer, LT Richard Fitzgerald agrees that education will have the most lasting impact on health for the locals.

“The local community do extremely well considering the facilities at their disposal. They don’t always have access to clean running water and toilets. We have been very well received and our work is appreciated.”

The commitment of all the medical staff is evident in that several Defence doctors, medics and dentists on this exercise are reservists taking time away from their full-time jobs in New Zealand to contribute to the medical section of Pacific Partnership.
 

(Photo: Tuvalu Islands)

TUVALU: PNA Ministers make decisions on sustainability and development of tuna
Source: Parties to the Nauru Agreement

The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) Ministers concluded last Monday (Aprill 11, 2011) as leaders made key decisions to advance their sustainable management and development of its tuna.

The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) includes Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. Collectively, the PNA controls 25-30% of the world’s supply of tuna and cooperate to sustainably manage and develop this key resource.

Opening the meeting Hon. Prime Minister of Tuvalu Willy Telavi, described the challenges facing the PNA. He said: “Around 35% of global skipjack supplies for canning come from PNA waters, and these shares are increasing. These figures are remarkable and one can only conclude the Pacific Islands are blessed. But while much is given from the PNA, we only receive 5% sales from our fish. This is sad and unacceptable. Our small size, compared to those we trade our marine resources with, can disadvantage us when we negotiate trade terms. Despite these hurdles and what the world may say about us, one thing is certain - we are one in will, aspirations, values, interest and spirit.”

Ministers put a high priority on the Tuvalu Prime Minister’s call to change the terms of trade, building on the strength of each PNA member, to create more jobs and economic profits at home.

Key decisions made at the PNA Annual Ministerial Meeting include:

Increase PNA share of economic profits

* PNA CREWING ON BOARD PURSE SEINE VESSELS: PNA earlier agreed on a 10% minimum Pacific Islander crew on board purse seine fishing vessels. Ministers this week agreed to establish a PNA Crewing Agency in Tarawa, Kiribati.
* COMMERCIAL AND BUSINESS ARRANGEMENTS: PNA discussed progress on options to increase the proportion of economic profits from skipjack tuna that goes to PNA countries through new arrangements with industry.


Conservation and management measures

* ADDITIONAL FAD CLOSURE: PNA Ministers decided to extend the current 3-month ban on setting of nets around Fish Aggregating Devices (or FADS, man made shelters which often result in large catches of juvenile fish and bycatch of other species) to 6 months each year. Details of when and how this measure will be introduced will be released later in the year.
* NEW NET MESH RULES: PNA agreed to not have nets with mesh smaller than 90mm (3.5 inch), to limit bycatch and catch of juvenile tuna and prevent transfer of small mesh nets from other countries to the PNA waters. This will be phased in over two years.
* DEVELOPMENT OF A LONGLINE VESSEL DAY SCHEME: Just as the PNA has developed a Vessel Day Scheme for purse seine fishing, Ministers also noted the current trial of a Longline Vessel Day Scheme.


Taking control of fisheries management

* PNA OBSERVER AGENCY: The PNA, to meet and sustain the agreed objective of 100% observer coverage on purse seine fishing vessels, agreed to establish a PNA Observer Agency to coordinate their own observers and to establish coordination hubs in Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Papua New Guinea (PNG) to manage travel and administrative arrangements for PNA observers.
* FISHERIES INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: PNA agreed to take control of its fisheries data and integrate this in an online fisheries information management system (including log sheets, observer reports, surveillance reports, licence information, days allowed and other key data).

PNA Director Dr Transform Aqorau said: “Ministers have been clear in their direction - PNA must take control of tuna fishing in our waters, increase our share of profits, and do this through our sustainable management of tuna. The decisions this week also help PNA ocean states to build on their strengths - such as creating the PNA Observer Programme with coordination hubs in FSM and PNG and PNA Crewing Agency in Kiribati. Here in Tuvalu, Ministers have exchanged experiences and built solidarity around a common vision of economically profitable and environmentally sustainable exploitation of our skipjack tuna.”

Photo Caption: Hon. Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Willy Telavi.