NEWSPAGE 12 December
2011

(Photo: Maori Party)

(Photo: Savali News)

SAMOA: Virgin Samoa partnership airline ponders LA route
Source: Savali News

The successful partnership airline - the renamed and revamped Virgin Samoa, formerly Polynesian Blue - is working the numbers with an eye on cashing in on the abandoned Apia-Los Angeles route.

The once-a-week L.A flight was discontinued earlier this year when Air New Zealand pulled out of a subsidized arrangement involving both the Samoan and New Zealand governments.

A new look Virgin Blue was launched at the Samoa Conference Center, Savalalo.

With it - revealed Acting Prime Minister Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiataua - are possible plans to fly to Los Angeles.

“There is certainly talk - a degree of discussions - in that direction,” said Tolofuaivalelei.

“The Virgin Samoa management has indicated a willingness to that in the future.

“Obviously, the Virgin Airline Group is going through a transitional period. Rebranding its branch airlines and moving away from its budget airline tag to a more mainstream carrier.”

Tolofuaivalelei said reviving the L.A route should be made easier with the rebranding of Pacific Blue and Virgin Blue to Virgin Australia with the aim of boosting the airline’s international routes.

“Obviously, reviving the Apia-Los Angeles route is integral to our tourism plans. When Air New Zealand stopped its flights, it was a major blow to our tourism efforts, particularly capitalizing on the lucrative North American and European tourism markets.

“Not only that, but there are sizable Samoan and American Samoan communities in the United States - particularly on the West Coast - who used that route to travel home.

A once-a-week Nadi-Apia-Honolulu Air Pacific flight remains Samoa’s only direct route to the United States.

The Acting Prime Minister - who worked for Polynesian Airlines in the 1990s - said Polynesian Blue, now Virgin Blue - has been a boon for the economy and travellers.

“As most will recall, the government in 2005 made a deliberate and considerate decision to resurrect Polynesian Airlines with the objective of selling its jet operations to an international operator.

“The move was intended to ensure reliable and efficient international air transport for the travelling public and, more importantly, in support of tourism development. The move was also seen as a conscious decision to offload the financial burden the government hadf to carry as a result of the loss-making airline at the time.

“Six years on, we can now look back and say that was a very smart decision. We have achieved the objectives of increased air transport links to Samoa thereby supporting tourism development and - more significantly - eliminating the burden on government finances.

But the most vital benefit, he underscvored, has been on the travelling public.

“For those travelling to and from Samoa, there have been substantial benefits in terms of increased choices, increased access through increased seat capacity, low airfares, airfare savings and the ability to book directly online or via travel agencies.”

Booking online, Tolofuaivalelei said, is the way of the future.

“That is why government is driving computer and internet literacy in the villages through various rural education programmes. In 10 to 15 years’ time, there’ll be no more front desks and all services will be accessed on line.”

The Virgin Samoa partnership between the government (49 percent) Virgin Australia (49 percent) and Aggie Grey’s Hotel and Resort (2 percent) has reaped the government over US$7 million (WST$16.81 million) in annual dividends.

Photo 1 - The new look Virgin Blue launched at the Samoa Conference Center, Savalalo.

Photo 2 - Virgin Samoa, formerly Polynesian Blue, cashing in on the Apia-Los Angeles route.
 

(Photo: Australian High Commission)

AUSTRALIA: Australia thanks G’day Samoa Fun Run/Walk participants

Australian High Commissioner Stephen Henningham this week thanked those groups who participated in the first G’day Samoa Fun Run/Walk in a special ceremony.

Nine school and community groups were awarded certificates of appreciation and were each given 10 rugby balls for them to use to keep physically active.

Loto Taumafai, the Oceania Academy of Sports, Special Olympics Samoa, the Ministry of Health, Football Federation Samoa, the Ladies of Pioneer, Levi EFKS Youth Academy, the staff of the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel and the Australia Pacific Technical College were given a total of 90 Digicel rugby balls.

“We are very appreciative that these organisations chose to support the G’day Samoa Fun Run/Walk,” Dr Henningham said.

The second G’day Samoa Fun Run/Walk was held on Saturday morning which also had The CultureX ‘island zumba’ session.

At the fun run/walk, participants met the Miss South Pacific Pageant contestants and were encouraged to wear a Samoa Victim Support Group ribbon to support peace in the home. There was also be a free rugby league clinic for kids.

“The fun run/walk is part of Australia’s continued support of sports and healthy living activities in Samoa,” Dr Henningham said.

“Samoans, like Australians, are ‘mad about sport’. It’s great we can celebrate that and maintain good health together.

The Australian High Commission would like to thank major sponsors Virgin Samoa, Digicel, Westpac, National Pacific Insurance, ANZ, CultureX Samoa Dance Aerobics, the Samoa Tourism Authority, Vaitele Spring Water and Maxkar.

Photo 1 - G'day Samoa Fun Run/Walk Certificate of Achievement recipients.

Photo 2 - Australia Pacific Technical College trainer Brendan Clennett with PNG students accepts an award.
 

(Photo: National Rugby League)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: PNG duo off to junior camp in Brisbane
Source: The National

TWO players from the PNG NRL Bid’s U15 development squad left for Brisbane yesterday to attend the Brisbane Broncos junior academy camp with all expenses paid for by the Bid’s national all schools programme.

The players selected by the Bid development team from the U15 national camp are Jeff Giegere and Newman Waikilin.

The Bid is providing trainer Solomon Kulianasi an opportunity to further his education in rugby league.

The players and official will also attend the NRL clubs T20 and senior team training sessions at the invitation of the Brisbane Broncos.

PNG NRL Bid development manager Shane Morris, who will be attending, said it was an honour for Giegere, Waikilin and Kulianasi.

“The Broncos camp is for the elite and best young players, coaches and officials in Queensland. The boys will have an opportunity to mix with the best young Australian children in a high performance environment.”

He said giving them exposure at this level was going to greatly enhance their attitude towards rugby league and improve their skill level.

“It will give them an insight into what is required to be at an elite level in rugby league and I suspect they will return to PNG as vastly improved players from the experience.
“It is a big thing for the boys. It is not a holiday. They are there for a reason and we expect them to represent PNG proudly at the camp.

“This is what the Bid is all about, providing opportunities and a pathway to PNG youth and officials in rugby league. This is happening through our junior development programme and we are already starting to see fantastic results,” Morris said.

Photo Caption: Brisbane Broncos.
 

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Marine activist calls for a boycott on travel to Solomon Islands
Source: Radio New Zealand International
 
A conservationist is calling on New Zealanders to boycott travel to Solomon Islands in protest at the live export of dolphins to China.

Twenty-five bottlenose dolphins were flown from Honiara to Guangdong Province last week.

Dr Ingrid Visser, from The Orca Research Trust, says the exports are disgusting and money driven.

She says it is tragic that live dolphin export is legal.

“Solomon Islands is their own independent country but New Zealanders can make a difference by deciding not to go and visit places like that who do support such barbaric things to do with whales and dolphins. We’re a country that tries to rescue whales and dolphins and so we certainly shouldn’t be supporting this sort of thing.”

Dr Visser says when the dolphins are transported to places like Sea World they’re typically put on mattresses in a plane without water.

She says the dolphins that die during the transit are the lucky ones, because captive dolphins have a miserable time.
 

(Photo: SPREP)

AROUND THE WORLD: Climate change collaboration across the oceans
Source: SPREP Press Release
 
The Island Pavilion at the UN Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa was a very successful partnership between the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5C's).

The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding this year to work closer together to address common climate change issues in the Pacific and Caribbean.

During the UN Climate Conference in Durban, South Africa an Island Pavilion was established bringing the two regions together, hosting a series of side events and seminars on climate change issues and the implications for Small Island Developing States.

"This has been an excellent start for collaboration for SPREP and the 5C's on climate change," said the Director-General of SPREP, Mr. David Sheppard.

"The partnership between the Alliance of Small Island States is strong, we are glad to extend this to other areas outside of the formal negotiation process."

"This has been a fruitful unity, our plans for the future to learn from each other and provide support for each other will help strengthen our service we provide to the Caribbean," said Dr Kenrick Leslie, the Director of the 5C's.

Plans to work together in 2012 were discussed during a meeting between the two organizations. One of the key first steps will be an exchange between staff in the Pacific and Caribbean to take place within the next three months.

This will help share experiences and strengthen the cooperation on key technical issues on climate change between the Pacific and the Caribbean.


Photo 1 - Mr. David Sheppard, Director-General of SPREP.

Photo 2 - Dr. Mark Bynoe of the 5C's.