NEWSROOM 25 May
2009

(Photo: Pead PR)

NEW ZEALAND: 2009 Pacific Music Award winners announced

(Photo: Times Newspapers)

SAMOA: Samoa schools to benefit from reconditioned computers
Source: Times Online

Twenty computing students from Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) are investing in the future education of school children in Samoa.

The IT volunteers donated their time and expertise recently for a philanthropic operation gifting some computers to more than 10 schools in Samoa.

About 150 computers were repaired and restored at The Ark Warehouse, East Tamaki.

“This is the first charitable operation we have done of this size,” says Brian Lawrence, Ark Computers’ chief executive. “It’s a lot of hardware and the first time we have sent them this far afield.”

Mr Lawrence first approached MIT computing lecturer Hayan Nashi last November to enlist volunteers to develop strategies and carry out the mammoth task of refitting the computers for the use of schools in Samoa, many of which do not have IT equipment.

“I’m very encouraged by the generosity of the MIT students who have given up their free time to support others who have fewer resources,” says Mr Nashi.

Mr Lawrence has also enlisted Peace Corps IT specialists who will be responsible for distributing, installing and troubleshooting IT support in the Samoan schools.

“Typically in the islands if things go wrong there often isn’t the support to keep the project going.

“We’re looking at making this a sustainable activity by looking at the cycle of experience for users in the islands and supporting them.”

Photo Caption: Brian Lawrence, with help from students at MIT and staff at his company, are putting old computers to good use.
 

AMERICAN SAMOA: Faleomavaega congratulates military academy graduates
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega today offered his personal congratulations to the sons and daughters of American Samoa who will be graduating this year from our prestigious military academies. This year’s graduates include: Mr. Edgar Carnecer and Ms. Maelina Sakaio from the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland, and Ms. Mercy Te’o and Mr. Richie Amisone from the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 2006, Faleomavaega nominated Edgar Carnecer, Mercy Te’o, and Richie Amisone to the U.S. Military Service Academies, and since then, they have strived to better themselves through formal education and vigorous military training. Edgar and Maelina will be commissioned Ensign while Mercy and Richie will be Second Lieutenant.

Richie Li’atama Amisone graduated from Samoana High School where he was student body President in 2004. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Li’atama and Lydia Amisone. Mercy Te’o graduated from Faga’itua High School in 2004 and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samia Tupe Te’o and Epenesa Te’o Jennings. Edgar Carnecer graduated from Fa’asao-Marist High School, and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar and Nima Carnecer. Maelina Sakaio is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Paelasi Sakaio.

Faleomavaega also wants to recognize the distinguished individuals who will be graduating from Wentworth Military Academy and College in Lexington, Missouri on May 23, 2009. These include Danielle Monroe and Emosi Time from Leone High School, and Ruth Fa’atiga from Faga’itua High School. Upon graduation, Danielle Monroe and Emosi Time will continue their education at Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma while Ruth Fa’atiga will attend University of Missouri-Kansas City to obtain their Bachelor’s degrees and further their military careers. Each of these students will receive their commission as Second Lieutenant on graduation day but will not be eligible to serve as a regular officer on active duty until the completion of an undergraduate degree program prior to 36 months after graduation.

“I am very proud of these young sons and daughters of American Samoa graduating from our nation’s prestigious military academies,” said Faleomavaega. “I appreciate their dedication to serve and to represent American Samoa at this time in our nation’s history. They represent and continue a legacy of the many soldiers who served or continue to serve in our military today. These young officers are trailblazers and remain vigilant role models for our youth who will attend our academies in the future or remain an integral part of our local Junior Reserved Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Program.”

“As a Vietnam veteran and a former reserve officer myself, I am proud of their achievements and look forward to their contributions to our military service. Again, I want to congratulate our newly commissioned officers and, especially, those who recently enlisted to serve in our Armed Forces. I also want to recognize their parents and families for their endless support and prayers for their children. I pray for their continued success and I wish them the very best in the future,” the Congressman concluded.
 

(Photo: Pacific Insights)

COOK ISLANDS: World's first recession free country
Source: Voxy News Engine

The Cook Islands Government has announced that the nation has officially decided not to take part in the worldwide recession, making it the world's first Recession Free Oasis.

The submission was presented to Parliament earlier this month and the country's Minister of Tourism, Wilkie Rasmussen, announced the Government's endorsement in Rarotonga this morning.

"As industries around the world feel the weight of the current economic global recession and the international effects of slowing economies and cautious consumers, the Cook Islands is seeing local businesses grow, new businesses open and offshore investment increase," he says.

Tourism constitutes 67 per cent of the Cook Islands GDP and its tourism industry is reporting sustained forward bookings with many areas reporting growth.

New operators are opening businesses and employing more people at a time where international reports tell of business closures and rising unemployment.

"Everyone is tired of hearing about the global economic doom and gloom. Travellers are now being given the opportunity to escape the recession by coming to a country where it doesn't exist," says Minister Rasmussen.

Air New Zealand Deputy CEO, Norm Thompson, in Rarotonga for the announcement, says tourism is a powerful stimulus for an economy, especially that of an island nation.

"As the adopted national carrier to the Cook Islands for more than 30 years, Air New Zealand is committed to helping drive tourism for the Cook Islands.

"We are seeing strong interest and growth in bookings for flights to the Cook Islands despite slow-downs in other markets. It is currently Air New Zealand's number one Pacific island destination.

"Even in these tough economic times, when customers are more cautious, we are proud to be part of the driving force for the Cook Islands tourism and economy.

"Today, Air New Zealand Holidays has launched a new online feature at www.airnewzealand.com enabling customers to see more of the Cook Islands. We have been working closely with Air Rarotonga to enable people to travel from Rarotonga to Aitutaki for a special Recession Free price of NZ$99 per person each way," says Mr Thompson.

So for those who are feeling the stress of the recession and want to escape, unwind and not hear a peep about the "R" word, the Cook Islands is the ultimate island paradise.

For more information about the world's first recession free oasis, visit www.recessionfreeoasis.com

With Air New Zealand's direct flights from Auckland and Los Angeles, the Cook Islands is an accessible place to escape on a sundrenched beach, hike through a jungle filled with exotic flora and fauna, or simply snorkel in an azure lagoon.

Photo Caption: Minister of Tourism, Wilkie Rasmussen.
 

(Photo: Bruce Southwick, Zoomfiji)

FIJI: Fiji to host ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2009
Source: International Rugby Board Press Release

The International Rugby Board has confirmed that Fiji will host the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2009. The awarding of the key international tournament to the Fiji Rugby Union represents a further boost to the continued development of Rugby in the region.

National teams from Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga will be joined by 2006 and 2007 champions the Junior All Blacks for the strategically important IRB funded tournament which kicks off on June 12.

The two opening round matches will be played outside of Fiji with Samoa hosting the Junior All Blacks in Apia and Tonga entertaining the Fijians in Nuku’alofa the following day before the tournament moves to Fiji for a 17-day festival of international Rugby spread across three match venues - the National Stadium (Suva), Churchill Park (Lautoka) and Lawaqa Park (Sigatoka).

“The hosting of the majority of ANZ Pacific Nations Cup matches for the first time in a single country is a very exciting development for a tournament which is now a major event in the global Rugby calendar,” said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

“Fiji has a rich Rugby heritage and a passion for the Game and I am sure that the country will embrace their first major IRB international fifteen-a-side event and deliver a special and memorable tournament that will serve to boost the profile of Rugby across the region.”

“The Game continues to grow exponentially in the Islands thanks to the delivery of dedicated High Performance programmes and Union management initiatives as key elements of the IRB’s unprecedented £48 million global Strategic Investment Programme.”

“A key element of this strategy is the delivery of world class tournaments such as the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup and the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup which now completes a defined high performance competition pathway for Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga.”

“The fruits were clearly seen at Rugby World Cup 2007 were Fiji reached the quarter finals and Tonga and Japan produced their best-ever RWC performances. I am sure that the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2009 will serve to lift performance levels once again as these teams look towards Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand,” added Lapasset.

The tournament will also provide the opportunity for a comprehensive development and legacy programme that will provide Fiji Rugby Union staff with major international event experience, while introducing new fans to Rugby across the region. The Fijian economy will also directly benefit from around US$1 million in direct IRB funding for the tournament.

Keni Dakuidreketi, acting CEO of the Fiji Rugby Union, added: “The Fiji Rugby Union is delighted to be playing host to such a major international Rugby tournament. This is a very proud moment for the Union and for the country and reflects the hard work that has been achieved by the Union in conjunction with the IRB in developing the infrastructure required to host the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup.

"We are all looking forward to welcoming the teams and their supporters for what promises to be a very special festival of international Rugby.”


ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2009 Competition Schedule June 12 - July 3 2009

Round 1

Friday 12

June Samoa v Junior All Blacks - Apia Park, Apia - kick off 16:00

Saturday 13 June

Tonga v Fiji - Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa - kick off 12:00

Round 2

Thursday 18 June

Junior All Blacks v Fiji - Churchill Park, Lautoka - kick off 15:10

Japan v Samoa - Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka - kick off 13:10

Round 3

Tuesday 23 June

Samoa v Tonga - Churchill Park, Lautoka - kick off 12:10

Japan v Junior All Blacks - Churchill Park, Lautoka - kick off 15:10

Round 4

Saturday 27 June

Tonga v Japan - Churchill Park, Lautoka - kick off 12:10

Samoa v Fiji - Churchill Park, Lautoka - kick off 15:10

Round 5

Thursday 2 July

Tonga v Junior All Blacks - National Stadium, Suva - kick off 15:10

Friday 3 July Fiji v Japan - National Stadium, Suva - kick off 15:10
 

(Photos: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan)

WORLDWIDE: Pacific Islands Centre opens new premises in Japan

Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

A new office premises for the Pacific Islands Centre in Japan was officially opened at the Meijing University, Kanda-Ogawa-chou, in Tokyo on 20 May.

Pacific Islands Forum Leaders and senior Japanese Government Officials took centre stage to perform a traditional Japanese ritual to mark the occasion.

In his opening address, the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and Premier of Niue, Honourable Toke Talagi, MP thanked Japan for the assistance towards the Centre.

“The Forum is indeed grateful to the Japanese Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs whose belief in the purpose and objectives of the Pacific Islands Centre is testament to its unwavering support since the Centre’s establishment in 2006,” said Honourable Talagi.

The Centre plays a significant role for many Forum Members who do not have an official representation in Japan, in particular for the facilitation of exports from the Pacific Islands to Japan.

The Pacific Islands Centre has been instrumental in facilitating the development of exports from Pacific Islands to Japan. These include Mozuku (seaweed) from Tonga, salt and seaweed from Kiribati, noni juice from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and Palau, and vanilla and coffee from Papua New Guinea. These are just a few of the products currently exported to Japan.

The Centre is co-funded by the Government of Japan and Forum Members.

Photo Caption: Front row from left: Samoa, Deputy Prime Minister Sailele / New Zealand, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade McKinnon / South Pacific Forum Secretariat, Secretary General Tabai / Cook Islands, Prime Minister Henry / Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, European and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Director-General Nishimura / Republic of Nauru, President Clodumar / Kingdom of Tonga, Prime Minister Vaea.

Second row from left: PIC, Deputy-Director Tashiro / Republic of Kiribati, President Tito / Republic of the Marshall Islands, President Kabua / Republic of Palau, President Nakamura / Niue, Prime Minister Lui / Republic of Fiji, Prime Minister Rabuka / Federated States of Micronesia, President Nena / Solomon Islands, Prime Minister Ulufa'alu / PIC, Director Kotaki.