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(Photo:
Devzone) |
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NEW ZEALAND: NZ must plan for future Pacific
population growth
Source:
Pacific Scoop
New Zealand needs to plan quickly for the future
before population growth problems in
neighbouring countries get out of hand, says a
leading Pacific demographer.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor Research of AUT
University, Professor Richard Bedford, said the
problems stemming from population growth were
becoming serious in Kiribati and the Solomon
Islands.
“In Kiribati, of the 100,000 population, 50
percent live in urban Tarawa while in Solomon
Islands of its 500, 000 population, 20 percent
live in urban areas,’ Dr Bedford said.
He described what would happen, what their
children would do, and how life would look like
in these two island nations in 50 years.
The issue of population growth in these
neighbouring islands is being slowly understood
in New Zealand, Dr Bedford told a Pasifika
writing fono organised by AUT University.
It is not just about doing research in New
Zealand about the Pacific, it was about doing
research in these countries to study their
economy, population growth and migration.
Polynesia and Micronesia had relationships with
New Zealand through migrant schemes such as
Pacific Access Category and Recognised Seasonal
Employment with Australia had recently launched
its work scheme and other training programmes.
Selected families
Tuvalu had a population of 10,000 with 75
families being selected every year under the PAC
scheme, Dr Bedford said.
In Kiribati’s case, which has a population of
about 100,000, it was also eligible for 75
families, he said.
Based on the populations of these countries, Dr
Bedford said he would like to see a new quota of
750 families for Kiribati and 75 for Tuvalu.
He said several people in Kiribati had argued
that they should have a right to migrate to New
Zealand, Australia and Britain because these
countries had extracted phosphates from their
land and parts of their land were mixed with the
soil of these countries.
It was critically important for New Zealand to
plan now before it was too late, Dr Bedford
said.
These countries had no means to meet their
growing population due to their small size,
limited resource and poor infrastructure.
Climate change and sea level rise, water
problems and land disputes were becoming big
issues for these countries, he said.
Technical training
Kiribati had trained its people in technical,
carpentry and mechanical skills so they could
contribute to a country they would migrate to.
But Dr Bedford said there was a New Zealand and
Australian “oriented approach”.
He said he would like to see more interesting
ideas to help reduce population problems in
these countries.
He said other countries such as Niue and Cook
Islands were experiencing depopulation problems.
“This is a blessing and curse for these two
island countries,” he said.
The government of Niue and Cook Islands needed
to look at other options apart from renovating
and creating opportunities on the outer islands.
“It’s very difficult for these people to come
back to their islands unless there’s something
important there for them,” he said.
He warned that the experiences of Polynesians
would not provide answers for the Melanesians
and Micronesians’ problems, he said.
With regard to Western Pacific countries such as
Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu,
Dr Bedford said New Zealand was reluctant to
engage them in its migrant and employment
schemes because they were perceived to be the
“responsibility” of Australia.
Photo Caption: Pacific seasonal labour...
critically important for New Zealand to prepare
for migration.
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(Photo:
Samoa Tourism Authority) |
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SAMOA: Samoa Tourism
Authority updates
Source:
Samoa
Tourism Authority Press Release
Interest in TEUILA 2011 growing fast
The 20th Teuila Festival 2011 may be more than a
month away but the interest in participation in
this special annual Event is already fast
growing.
More than 30 groups and individuals have already
registered in the various competitions and
events, from the Variety Shows to the Cultural
Entertainment.
This number doesn’t include those that have
registered stalls that will run throughout the
20th Teuila week from 28 August - 03 September.
The number of people that have come and shown
interest in this great festive time enquiring
about the various aspects of the various aspects
that make up the Festival as well as what the
certain eligibility criteria are for the
contests.
Great interest has been shown in the revived
National Tourism Competitions: the Floral and
Signature Cocktail & Bartender Competitions and
the all new introduced Lavatory Competition.
This year’s Teuila Finale, the Miss Samoa
Pageant 2011 is also gaining interest.
The Closing Date for Registrations in ALL Teuila
Competitions as well as the Miss Samoa Pageant
is FRIDAY 05 AUGUST 2011.
STA Team Challenges itself- the healthy way
The Samoa Tourism Authority doesn’t take its
latest challenge lightly, though the aim for
some may be just that... to be lighter.
The STA have taken up the Samoa Health Challenge
III, pledging their full commitment as a Team to
try and make healthy lifestyle changes.
Proudly baring their pink (yes, even the males)
fluorescent bracelets, the STA Team are happy to
show the rest of the country, visitors and
locals alike that they’re determined to
establish for themselves ‘life-long and
sustainable lifestyle habits’.
The Challenge, which is currently sponsored by
Women in Business Development is in its third
year running, with this year being the first
year it’s been opened up to the local community.
From Women’s Committees in the villages, to
Government Ministries and Corporations, to
Organisations, Families... basically everyone.
Even accommodation providers are invited to
join, staff, visitors and all.
The best feature of this Challenge is that it’s
not really a challenge in that you have to lose
certain weight or be a certain dress/shirt size
by a certain date, though most who join have
that sort of challenge in mind.
While the challenge is supposed to be eight
weeks, a group can set their own dates as such.
The goals can vary too. One may wish to lose
4kgs in 8 weeks, another may hope to be able to
walk 1 mile within that time duration.
As this is no weight loss contest, there is
therefore no prize in the end, but that depends
how you look at it, for what better achievement
is there than ‘looking, feeling and being
better’.
So how do you join? The first step is to simply
register with WIBDI on phone # (685) 21 959.
Photo Caption: STA staff weighing
themselves at the beginning of the Challenge.
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AMERICAN SAMOA: Eni meets with sons and
daughters of Samoa
Source:
Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release
During this year’s July 4th long weekend,
Congressman Faleomavaega visited the soldiers
and their families stationed at Joint Base
Lewis-McChord in Washington and attend the
Samoan Cultural Day celebration hosted by the
Asia Pacific Cultural Center and the many Samoan
churches in the Seattle - Tacoma, Washington
area.
On Friday, July 1, Congressman Faleomavaega met
with Samoan soldiers and their family members at
Joint Base Lewis-McChord to discuss issues of
concern. Included in the meeting were Samoan
veterans and retirees and family members
residing in the Seattle-Tacoma area.
By invitation of Mrs. Fa’aluaina Pritchard,
Executive Director of Asia Pacific Cultural
Center, and members of the Samoa Cultural Day
organizing committee, Faleomavaega then partook
in events leading up to Samoa Cultural Day
including a Community Prayer Service at Glover
Park High School and dinner with community
ministers and leaders.
The July 2nd Samoa Cultural Day began with a
morning parade at Clover Park Stadium in the
city of Lakewood, Washington. Joining the event
with Faleomavaega as his special guests were
Colonel Leafaina Tavai-Yahn, recently installed
Commander of the 404th Army Field Support
Brigade headquartered at Fort Lewis, CSM
Tuileama Nua, Command Sergeant Major for Western
Regional Medical Command, and 1SG Tausala
Faamausili who is Vice President of Toa O Samoa
organization.
An official opening ceremony and rising of the
flags followed the parade. The event then
featured cultural games, dance and song
competitions. Included also in the festivities
were Pacific Islander arts and crafts and
educational booths for the enjoyment of
visitors.
As Keynote Speaker during the Samoa Cultural
Day, the Congressman was joined by other
dignitaries including Mayor Doug Richardson of
Lakewood, Deputy Mayor Lauren Walker of Tacoma,
State Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos of
Washington, Commissioner Sefa Aina of the White
House Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders. Sponsored by the City of Lakewood and
local community groups, the event drew a crowd
of over 2,000 guests from Washington and Oregon.
Following the Samoa Cultural Day, Faleomavaega
attended Sunday Church Service at Ft. Lewis
EFKAS, under the leadership of Reverend Suipi
Vaielua (Ret. Army) and later a luncheon with
community and church leaders. The Congressman
then concluded his weekend with a roundtable
chat with Samoan youth from the Seattle-Tacoma
area.
“I want to acknowledge and thank Command
Sergeant Major Tuileama Nua who besides being
the Command Sergeant Major for the Western
Regional Medical Command is also President of
the Toa o Samoa JBLM, an organization of the
Samoans stationed in the Joint Base Lewis-McChord,
for organizing the visit and meeting with the
soldiers and their families,” Faleomavaega said.
“I also want to acknowledge the other officers
of the Toa o Samoa JBLM organization including
First Sergeant Tausala Faamausili, Vice
President, Staff Sergeant Shaun Umi, Treasurer,
and Tusapa Taamu, Secretary.
“Also, I want to thank Mrs. Faaluaina “Lua”
Pritchard, and the community leaders and
ministers of the many Samoan churches in
Washington who organized the Samoa Cultural Day
for inviting me to speak at their event.”
“I am very pleased to be spending this July 4th
weekend with our Samoan soldiers and their
families as well as the many retired and former
military Samoans who reside in the Washington
and Oregon states,” concluded Faleomavaega.
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(Photo:
South Pacific Regional Environment Programme) |
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COOK ISLANDS: Renewable energy plans underway
Source:
South
Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press
Release
The Cook Islands has an electricity target of
50% renewable energy by 2015 and 100% by 2020.
While this may seem like an extreme target,
according to the Prime Minister of the Cook
Islands Hon. Henry Puna - “it is ambitious but
it is not impossible.”
Plans are already underway to bring this to
fruition.
The Cook Islands will be launching their
Renewable Energy Chart this year - Te Atamoa O
Te Uira Natura, the plan that outlines how they
will achieve their renewable energy targets.
This chart has undergone consultation with
relevant stakeholders and has taken into account
input from numerous supporting partners. It is
now in the process of being finalised for
endorsement.
“It is flexible to take into account possible
changes which may happen, as well as addressed
the long term concerns - for example the outer
island of Aitutaki now has a peak demand for
electricity of 900 kilowatts,” said Repeta Puna,
the Policy Adviser from the Office of the Prime
Minister.
“In Te Atamoa O Te Uira Natura we have planned
for a two megawatt solar plant for Aitutaki to
take into account the future demand for
electricity.”
The Cook Islands will undertake this journey to
100% renewable energy reliant with support and
assistance from partners.
The Pacific Islands Greenhouse Gas Abatement
through Renewable Energy Project (PIGGAREP) aims
at helping 11 different island countries
overcome the barriers to effectively using
renewable energy technologies at the national
level.
The Cook Islands is a recipient of the benefits
from PIGGAREP which is financed by the global
Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and
executed by the Secretariat of the Pacific
Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
“One aspect of the Cook Islands activity is the
endorsement of a Wind Energy Project worth USD
70 thousand,” said Silia Ualesi, the project
manager of PIGGAREP.
“This project spans a new wind monitoring system
for Atiu, moving the wind monitoring system from
Mitiaro to Mauke as well as a site study for a
wind farm on Rarotonga. PIGGAREP is very pleased
to be able to help the Cook Islands in their
endeavour.”
The initial allocation from PIGGAREP allowed for
approximately USD 360 thousand worth of funds
for each of the 11 different island countries.
This has now been amended to give flexibility,
allowing member countries to access further
funds should they have more renewable energy
projects.
The PIGGAREP process also requires support from
co-financers for national projects.
Other renewable energy projects in the Cook
Islands are also underway to ensure that all 15
islands of the Cook Islands are taken into
account when aspiring towards the ambitious
targets.
A detailed project proposal seeking assistance
from the Pacific Environment Community (PEC)
Fund for solar power generation systems for the
outer island of Rakahanga is close to approval.
The PEC Fund, administered by the Forum
Secretariat, is a commitment by the Government
of Japan of ¥6.8 billion (approx US$66 million)
to support Forum Island Country (FIC) projects
with a focus on the provision of solar power
generation systems and sea water desalination
plants, or a combination of both.
“Over the next few weeks, the decision making
body for the Pacific Environment Community Fund
will make a final decision on the Cook Islands
detailed project proposal,” said Su’a Kevin
Thomsen the Director of Strategic Partnerships
and Coordination Programme of the Pacific
Islands Forum Secretariat.
“I can confidently say we look forward to more
in depth conversations with the Cook Islands
Government soon on implementation arrangements.”
Other outer islands in the Cook Islands that are
also targeted for renewable energy assistance by
the government are Pukapuka, Nassau, Suwarrow
and Manihiki with project concepts and proposals
now taking place.
By 2020 the whole of the Cook Islands will be
100% reliant on renewable energy as an
electricity source.
“It’s important we practice what we preach
including addressing the harmful effects on our
environment, it’s important we get on and do it,
do something about it,” said the Henry Puna,
Prime Minister of the Cook Islands.
“I intend the Cook Islands to take the lead in
this by doing what we can to show the way.”
Photo Caption: Cook Islands Prime
Minister, Hon. Henry Puna.
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(Photo:
Fiji Times) |
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FIJI: Five go into next round of Kaila Star
Search
Source:
Fiji Times
Five Kaila Star Search finalists anticipate a
challenging singing competition following the
first heat at the Suva Civic Auditorium on
Wednesday night.
Of the 15 that participated, five were chosen
for the next round.
They are Ilaisa Ravula, Tupou Bulai, Kesaia
Vuibeqa, Salome Vuninai and Isireli Mainavukea.
Speaking at the contest Sunday Times editor Ruby
Taylor-Newton said since the inception of Kaila!
in 2004, the editorial team was overwhelmed by
the wealth of young talented singers.
"The Kaila! Star Search is one great event
because it encourages young people to showcase
their talent and promote creativity.
"This competition is a platform for promoting
raw, young talent and is the launching pad of
some of the rising stars like Ilisavani Cava and
Ana Silivale who have chosen singing as a
profession," Mrs Taylor-Newton said.
Vodafone Hibiscus Festival acting chairman
Hirdesh Prasad said the contestants of the three
heats would be narrowed down to 18 to qualify
for the semi-final during the festival week.
"From this top 18, only 10 will be chosen to
participate in the grand finale at the main
stage in Albert Park," he said. The second heat
is scheduled for next week Saturday.
Photo Caption: Silvensy Tuwaqa raised the
roof when he sang a rendition of Collide by
Howie Day during heat one of the Kaila! Star
Search at the Suva Civic Auditorium in Suva on
Wednesday night.
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NIUE: Foundation digs deep for free Niue
Internet service
Source:
Internet Niue
More
than $NZ4 million has been invested in Internet
Niue since it was set up in 1999 by American
internet entrepreneur Bill Semich and former
Peace Corps volunteer Richard St Clair.
Internet Niue says it is facing ever-increasing
satellite connection fees as customers make more
use of the rapidly growing range of services
available on the internet. In its 2010 Annual
Report the service says the $214,738 paid in
fees during 2010 was the equivalent of $147 a
head for each citizen on the island.
Internet access, which is free to customers once
they have paid for a connection, is funded by
grants from the US-based IUSN Foundation, which
has the right to market .nu domain names
internationally.
Foundation chairman Hon Frank Lui says this is a
unique arrangement that serves the island’s
internet community well.
“It’s not easy to provide an efficient internet
service on a remote and rugged tropical island.
But more than 90 per cent of our population has
access to our service either at home and/or at
work,” he says.
“In my opinion Internet Niue is something for
the people of Niue to be proud of.”
During 2010, the Foundation’s on-island service
provider RockET Systems Limited connected the
villages of Mutulau, Makefu, Tamakautonga and
Vaiea to the internet. Only three villages on
the island remain to be connected - a task that
will be completed in the next few months.
RockET director Emani Fakaotimanava-Lui says
more families are signing up to the internet as
soon as the service arrives in their village. He
puts this down to connection kits becoming more
affordable.
A full home installation for all-you-can eat
internet now costs $450 to $500. For some users
in the capital of Alofi, WiFi signals are strong
enough to allow them to connect using the
wireless cards in their laptops, which means
they only need to pay $25 for an access code.
The Annual Report shows Internet Niue’s annual
operating expenditure peaked at $NZ726,809 in
2010 and that total spending since 1999 has
reached $4,191,884. Big year-to-year
fluctuations reflect the profitability and
investment needs of the .nu domain sales
business, as well as the needs of Internet Niue,
the report says.
Technical charts in the report show that
customers are making increasing use of Internet
Niue’s satellite bandwidth, despite a
quadrupling of capacity during 2010.
The report notes that the maximum bandwidth of 4
megabits per second will sound small to users in
larger countries that have fibre optic cables
connecting them to the world. Niue, like many
other small Pacific nations, relies on very
expensive satellite connections.
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