NEWSPAGE 29 April
2011

(Photos: Fresh Plaza)

NEW ZEALAND: Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme delivering a win-win-win

(Photo: Samoa Tourism Authority)

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

Samoa provides Teachers with ‘Edventure’ of a lifetime

Samoa has been the perfect backdrop for a group of New Zealand teachers that toured the country this week from 14-21 April 2011.

Through a collaborative effort between Samoa Tourism Authority and Edventure Tours in New Zealand, a group of teachers have been on an educational visit of Samoa this past week. The group that has been brought together through the Edventure Tour’s ‘school group travel, completed their STA Marketing ‘familiarisation programme’ which allows them to travel throughout the country visiting both islands, interacting with the people and gaining a cultural insight to what Samoa has to offer as an educational tourist destination.

From their gained ‘Samoan’ experience, the teachers will go back to their respective schools throughout New Zealand, to invite and arrange their own school groups to bring to Samoa at later dates.

Samoa has seen a lot of school groups come into country through this STA-Edventure Tours initiative, to enjoy what Samoa has to offer and to allow the teachers as well as the students to participate in the exchange of knowledge and understanding of the Samoan culture and lifestyle through interaction with the people especially the local schools.

Chris Hamilton of Edventure Tours is very happy with the outcome of what started under his tour company as arranged school group travels. Together with their STA counterparts, they have been over a number of years to provide itineraries, training and support to schools to allow NZ students to access a world beyond their classrooms, one of those worlds being in Samoa.

As elaborated on their website, Edventure Tours with the Samoan assistance provide the teachers and students the opportunity to share their own enjoyment and passion for the fascination, beauty and diversity of the people and places on this planet.

The itineraries which are designed by Edventure with STA doing the ground work to ensure the smooth running, involve the students and teachers, giving them an insight into Samoa’s cultural history, geography, politics, arts, language and environmental issues.

As mentioned by Hamilton, “we do our best not to change the people we visit, we interact without harming the environment and we give something back.”

From the group of nine teachers that were here this week accompanied by Chris and Robyn Hamilton, one student and teacher group has already been confirmed to travel to Samoa during a school break next year.


NZ Pacific Mats rule goes back to the way it was

The New Zealand Biosecurity has for the time being decided to remove compulsory treatment rules that they had recently put in place for ‘Pacific style mats’ on arrival into New Zealand at the Auckland International Airport.

It seems that the need to go back to the original ruling is a result of challenges that have arisen for the passengers in implementing the new compulsory rules. Therefore, NZ MAF has decided to put the compulsory treatment rules on arrival, on hold, until a long term solution can be agreed upon.

The compulsory treatment rules that New Zealand had recently decreed, required that all ‘Pacific style, hand woven or tapa cloth’ larger than one square metre must be sent away for heat treatment on arrival at Auckland Airport. It was advised that this compulsory treatment would take up to a week before one could get their mats back.

The NZ MAF ruling on mats is however, now going back to the way it was when entering New Zealand on an international flight.

These requirements show that passengers into New Zealand carrying Pacific style mats are still required to properly clean and check their mats for insects or seeds before packing for a flight into Auckland and also to declare their mats on the Passenger Arrival Cards so the mats can still be inspected on arrival.

It is now, only if in this inspection, insects, seeds or other biosecurity risk items are found, that the mat be sent away for treatment. The treatment cost remains the same starting at NZD$35 not including delivery.

If you do not want to run the risk of having to wait up to a week for your mat to be treated, you can either do the mat checks yourself as mentioned, or, you can take your mats to the local Samoa MAF Quarantine which stands ready to treat your mats and provide the necessary certification to have it cleared at the Auckland Airport.

The Samoa Quarantine division requires you to bring your mats to their Matautu Office two days prior to your Auckland departure. The cost of the local heat treatment and certification varies on the quantity and quality of mats received.

For further information you can either contact Samoa’s MAFF Quarantine Division on number (+685 20924) or visit the NZ Biosecurity Website at www.biosecurity.govt.nz
 

(Photos: Australia-Pacific Technical College)

AUSTRALIA: Painters combine creativity with 'going green'
Source: Australia-Pacific Technical College

Certificate III Painting and Decorating students are developing their creativity while learning how to 'go green' in the practice of their trade.

Trainer Michael Farrugia said that the APTC students are trained to be environmentally friendly when cleaning up tools and equipment with water.

"Water based paints contain heavy metals in the form of titanium dioxide and synthetic emulsions that can be harmful to the beautiful coral reefs of Fiji. The Pacific has so much to lose if the reefs are damaged. This issue should not be ignored by the industry," explained Mr Farrugia.

The students had the opportunity to demonstrate environmentally sound practices while undertaking a community-based work project at the Multiple Intelligence Centre (MIC).

MIC Principal Dr Robin Taylor said, "I have been trying to focus on environmental education with our school students, so I was glad to see that APTC values the environment with its waste disposal practices."

"The school had no funds available for repainting, and would not have taken place, if it were not for our efforts," said Mr Farrugia. "We would have used the same materials training in the classroom.

"The Painting students went a bit crazy; colour and murals everywhere.," said Mr Farrugia. " They had a lot of freedom on the project. It was fun to watch as colour and images appeared everywhere on the classroom walls.

"It is important to remember that painting and decorating is a trade, not an art. The students discussed progress and colour schemes with the school staff on a daily basis as an exercise in communication and customer relations," said Mr Farrugia.

"Although painting and decorating is a construction trade, and concern for the environment is a major factor to consider, the APTC students also showed that there is room for creativity as well," concluded Mr Farrugia.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Trainer Michael Farrugia (2nd from right) and Tutor Mavuka Tokona (right) demonstrate safe disposal practices to MIS staff and APTC students.

Photo 2 - APTC students discuss colour schemes with MIS Director, Mrs Koroi, (right) and other MIS staff members.
 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: LNG developer in Komo gives to sport
Source: The National

The district station of Komo in the heart of the multibillion kina liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Southern Highlands will be coming alive this weekend with the rugby touch finals.

Sunday’s footy semi-finals will see PBS Brothers run out against the Jerima Knights, in what is expected to be a thriller witnessed by a big crowd.

The winner of the match goes through to play the finals the following weekend against the Guba Eels.

Such a tournament, which is being sponsored by landowner company, Hides Gas Development Corporation (HGDC), and McDonnell Consolidated Joint Venture (MCJV), is the first of its kind in the area.

The tournament aims to lure youths out of tribal conflicts which they are actively involved in, and introduce them to a more positive way of living.

A total of 26 teams have been competing for an undisclosed amount of money pledged by HGDC, while MCJV sponsored a uniform and player equipment package worth K15,000.

LNG developers, Esso Highlands Ltd, and MCJV are expected to witness this event, as well as stakeholders, including HGDC frontman and tournament director, Philip Tuguyawini.

In witnessing the teams who laid down their bows and arrows for boots and jerseys, IPI camp manager, and tournament promoter, Rex Humbi, applauded the efforts of Tuguyawini and officials in bringing about positive changes in the people’s lives.

Humbi, who is also Hela rugby league president, challenged the youths to perform to the best of their ability as such tournaments would help in identifying the player base for the Hela Wigmen franchise in the Digicel Cup.

He said plans were in place to make the tournament bigger and better by introducing other sports, and women would also participate.

MCJV representative, Phill Jackar said his company was proud to be part of the coming finals and was pleased to work with the local community in fostering peaceful interactions.
 

(Photo: Solomon Star)

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Honorary consul a first
Source: Solomon Star

Swedish Ambassador to Solomon Islands HE Sven-olof Petersson yesterday (April 27, 2011) presented his letter of credential to caretaker Governor General Sir Allan Kemakeza.

In a statement the ambassador said he was pleased to be appointed to the position.

“I am very proud to be the new Swedish Ambassador to Solomon Islands and I am proud because Sweden was the first country to appoint an Honorary Consul to the Solomon Islands.”

He said Sweden and Solomon Islands were very far apart, but there are similarities there with-in such as forestry and mining as the main industries.

However the ambassador added that Sweden was far more developed than Solomon Islands, therefore Sweden was one of the few countries in the world to spend a good one per cent of SI GDP on development cooperation to support developing countries.

Mr Petersson has ideas for the future.

“I have noted that trade between Sweden and Solomon Islands is very limited and this should be changed,” he said.

“While your main industries are in forestry and in mining should give good opportunity for Swedish companies exporting mining and forestry equipment and do business in Solomon Islands.

“And I am more willing to support possibilities of exports from Solomon Islands to Sweden,” the ambassador said.

Meanwhile caretaker Governor General Sir Allan Kemakeza congratulated Mr Petersson for his appointment as Sweden Ambassador to Solomon Islands.

The Caretaker Governor General said Sweden was among the first 20 countries to establish their diplomatic relations with Solomon Islands after gaining independence in 1978 and also was the first county to appoint an Honorary Consul in Solomon Islands.

He said despite the two countries not having an active bilateral interaction for over three decades they still continued to maintain and enjoy cordial relations.

He said Solomon Islands was grateful for the aid assistance and supports it receives from Sweden through EU, UN and the Asian Development Bank.

Photo Caption: Swedish Ambassador to Solomon Islands Sven-olof Petersson and the Caretaker Governor General Sir Allen Kemakeza.
 

TUVALU: Tuvalu government welcomes peer review
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

The Government of Tuvalu welcomes the peer review of development coordination under the Cairns Compact on Strengthening Development Coordination in the Pacific underway in the capital Funafuti this week.

Peer reviews were mandated by Pacific Forum Leaders in 2009 as part of a package of development coordination initiatives among Forum Island Countries (FICs) and development partners being coordinated by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

They intend to review and focus action on the ways that FICs, with support of development partners, use their own money and the aid they receive to ensure better life for their people making progress towards achieving their national priorities and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“There are development partners and regional organizations approaching us from all angles with development assistance but the problem in Tuvalu is finding the best way to coordinate these funds to maximise the benefits to our people,” said Prime Minister, Hon. Willy Telavi, when welcoming the Peer Review Team to Funafuti.

“We need to find appropriate mechanisms that will fast track the utilization of development assistance. I hope that the peer review will make recommendations along these lines,” said Prime Minister Telavi.

The same sentiments have been expressed by Mr Minute Taupo, Tuvalu’s Permanent Secretary for Finance and Economic Development when he met with the peer review team.

“Since the Compact was endorsed in 2009, Tuvalu has been looking forward to this process to guide our national planning process,” Mr Taupo said.

Mr Taupo added: “We want to see how we can align our development plans together with the activities of development partners and learn from our colleagues from other FICs how they have been able to approach these same issues in their countries.”

The Government of Tuvalu has chosen representatives of the Governments of Tonga and Vanuatu as FICs in the peer review team and UNESCAP representing development partners. The Team, assisted by staff from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, will meet with representatives of the various government ministries, the private sector and non-government organizations as well as development partners resident in Tuvalu and in Suva, Fiji.

Tuvalu is the fourth FIC to have volunteered to undertake a peer review of their national planning, budgeting and aid management systems. Other countries that have undertaken peer reviews include Kiribati, Nauru and Vanuatu. The fifth country that has volunteered to undertake the peer review is Niue which will be from 30 May to 3 June 2011.