Pacific Community Family Meets up in Niue

"The CRGA meeting; was it purposely brought to Niue because you're the DG for the Pacific Community?" This question was asked by one of the social media team member before the official opening for the 45th Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrators (CRGA) here in Niue. "I admire the question, but unfortunately no. However it is very delightful to be home" answered by one of Niue's very own also Director General for the Pacific Community Dr. Colin Tukuitonga. For the first time since the CRGA started, Niue was honored to host the 45th CRGA meeting after 68 years, and also the 9th Pacific Community Conference. Members from all across the Pacific Community all came together for the significant event and were all amazed at what Niue had to offer.

Niue's population had a minor spike in numbers as respected members from each of the states of the Pacific Community all gathered on "the rock" for the CRGA (30th October - 2nd November) and Pacific Community Conference (3rd - 5th November). Delegates from all across the Pacific region occupied almost all of Niue's accommodation facilities at the time.

Having being the first for Niue to hold such significant event like this, Honourable Premier Talagi was pleased and very thankful for everyone's cooperation and help towards the event itself and organisers that made it possible.

MEDIA RELEASE CRGA 45 OPENING

MEDIA RELEASE

Pacific development in focus as Pacific Community family gathers in Niue

30 October 2015

Alofi, Niue – The endorsement of a five-year navigation chart for the Pacific’s largest regional development organisation is on the agenda as a meeting of officials from among the 26 country and territory members of the Pacific Community (SPC) begins in Alofi, Niue, today.

More than 50 SPC member representatives and development partners, including GIZ and the European Union, are attending the 45th Meeting of the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations (CRGA 45) from 30 October to 2 November.

The officials meeting will be followed by the ministerial-level 9^th biennial Conference of the Pacific Community, in Niue next week (4 to 5 November).

The Director-General of the Pacific Community, Dr Colin Tukuitonga, said the focus over the next six days will be on cooperation to boost sustainable development outcomes in the Pacific.

“The Pacific Community is a major regional development organisation and our governing body meetings are of critical importance in that they engage our members and other partners in setting our direction and building a better organisation,” Dr Tukuitonga said.

“To remain effective, it’s paramount that our organisation connects with the people we serve among our island members large and small, and we’re delighted the Government of Niue offered to host this event for the first time,” Dr Tukuitonga said.

The Chairperson of CRGA 45, Nauru’s Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Michael Aroi, said it was a great honour for Nauru, as a Small Island Developing State, to be leading the proceedings.

“One of the most important items for consideration will be the Pacific Community’s new Strategic Plan because it will guide the direction of this principal scientific and technical agency and its support for development in the region for the next five years,” Mr Aroi said.

“There’s definitely a strong unity between the island countries and territories as we face very similar challenges. I believe it’s very important that we continue to work together as a Pacific Community so we can help each other in tackling these many challenges,” he said.

The Vice-Chairperson of CRGA 45 is New Caledonia, represented by the Senior Advisor for Multilateral Cooperation and Regional Organisation, Office of Regional Cooperation and External Relations, Anne-Claire Goarant.

Also on the agenda of CRGA 45, ahead of the Conference, are the Pacific Framework for Regionalism and ways of capitalising on the strengths and opportunities within the region to build resilience based on the event theme of “Resilient Pacific people – turning the tide”.

In 2001, Nauru hosted the second Pacific Community Conference at SPC headquarters in Noumea.

Timor-Leste is represented at the event in Niue, in anticipation of the nation’s admission to SPC, pending its accession to the organisation’s founding treaty, the Canberra Agreement.

ABOUT US: The Pacific Community is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, proudly supporting development since 1947. It is an international development organisation owned and governed by its 26 country and territory members. See www.spc.int.

Footage and still images: SPC will provide packaged TV stories, interviews and raw footage for free use, along with still images. For more information and to lodge specific requests, please contact Joji Nabalaua: jojin@spc.int.

Media contacts:

Julie Marks     Pacific Community (SPC),  juliem@spc.int  or  +683 6806

Lauren Robinson   Pacific Community (SPC),  laurenr@spc.int  or +683 6800

Useful links:

Niue 2015 event - www.spc.int/crga

Government of Niue - www.niuegov-premiersoffice.com/

Follow the event via #Niue2015.

Time difference guide

NUT = Nuie time (UTC/GMT -11 hours)

New Zealand = 24 hrs ahead of Niue.

Sydney, Australia = 22 hours ahead of Niue

Taking Information to another Level

In every organisation, the flow of information is everlasting. And having this information being shared amongst each organisation; are they managed properly? Or do they share some sort of knowledge within the process? Yes and No. It’s a total different level when it comes to managing existing information and trying to develop them into knowledge. The European Union (UE) supported Pacific Agriculture Policy Project (PAPP), implemented by the Land Resource Division (LRD) of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), with the assistance of Technical Centre of Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) facilitated a training and awareness workshop in port Vila, Vanuatu for Information and Knowledge Management (IKM). It was said to be the first ever training been held for the Pacific region, as it was firstly introduced back in the Caribbean region.

What KM is looking at achieving?

The workshop was chaired by CTA’s knowledge management coordinator Mr. Krishan Bheenick, where he shared his expertise and experience for everyone to learn from. Mr. Bheenick constructed a poster form of a tree as an illustration for the cycle of information flowing for organisations to follow. The tree itself shows how the roots represents the base of the organisation, so as the other parts of the tree (trunk, branches, leaves, flowers and nutrients). Participants from all around the Pacific region shared each of their countries organisations status and level in regards to knowledge management. Every country present at the training all had different perspectives and views on KM and how they are carried out for each organisation.

According to SPC – PAPP project team, the Information and Knowledge Management (IKM) strategy (2015 – 2017) has been implemented as a guide to show how SPC can maximise delivery and uptake of relevant existence and deliver new knowledge products and services for the benefit of all member countries. It is indeed something very crucial for the Pacific region to look at, because the objectives of the workshop was mainly focusing on raising awareness of the importance of knowledge management to agricultural and forestry stakeholders; helping to identify knowledge management process at national level (organisation, network) and plan development of a KM action plan; and also exploring the opportunity of a steering mechanism to promote knowledge management.

Benefits of introducing KM strategy

After a long week on learning the different concepts about knowledge management, all participants present at the training had a great overview. Also a great point to consider by individuals was that efficient information sharing between stakeholders and organisation partners can only be achieved if information is collected, stored, shared and is managed to produce knowledge. Without this process, information is not efficiently shared through to channels required by organisations. 

Although some of the countries in the Pacific region do not have active usage of such method, PAPP and CTA are trying to get everyone to introduce this particular method for all member countries in SPC so that everyone can get access to Information and Knowledge Management. The strategy does not specify for agriculture related organisations alone, but it can be also applied unto different organisations within each countries.

Photo Credit: Deff Thompson

Blogpost by Tom-Vaitolo Vaha, Livestock Officer,

Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.

A boost for Niue’s local chickens

Back in the olden days commercialized chickens from supermarkets pose a great value for the livelihoods of the people. Nowadays, the trend is slowly moving from commercial to local free – ranged chickens as they give more value compared to the crossbreed chickens; or does it only apply to Niue? How can this be justified? In the past, local chicken breeds have been one of Niue’s main sources of food for many years. They are believed to be the healthiest and the most nutritious food source compared to the new crossbreed species we have nowadays. It is scientifically proven that the local chicken breed present in Niue is a very rare species. Rare as in, they only have it in Niue.

Why the local breeds?

Experiments and research were done by various specialists in the past years to identify the different types of chicken breeds inhabiting on Niue. A survey was done on blood samples for the chickens and pigs under this project, to analyze the genetic makeup of the chicken breed present on Niue.
Blood samples were taken overseas and were analyzed in three different certified research centers and was confirmed that the particular breed can only be found in Niue. Therefore, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) funded a project “Animal Genetic Resources – the conservation of local chickens including pigs, to improve or upgrade chicken pens for this matter. The project itself correlates with the regional FAO-SPC AnGR (Animal Genetic Resources) Project in trying to conserve local animal species (chickens and pigs). 

Project scope and overview

Three local chicken pens were selected to be improved for this project; these chicken pens were also in line with previous projects similarly to the ones being implemented now.

Two livestock specialists from SPC; Nick and Andrew flew in to assist and work alongside with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to help maintain chicken pens. The project to-date is still an ongoing process. But DAFF staffs are trying very hard to complete before the end of the year, as it will be showcased during the Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations (CRGA) meeting that will be held here in Niue. 

Photo Credit: Huggard Tongatule

Blogpost by Tom-Vaitolo Vaha, Livestock Officer, 
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Putting Niue Taro back on the map

Niue taro is the best in the Pacific; true or false? Not trying to be bias or anything but it is without doubt the best you can ever find in the Pacific region. With its uniqueness taste and texture, it leaves you wanting more and more. They are back on the market shelves again; all peeled, packaged, labelled and ready for consumption. “I don’t think it’s any secret that the Niue taros are amongst the, if not the best taro in the Pacific. We are trying to use that competitive advantage to take some taro out of here” – Brendon Pasisi.

A new idea put to action

The Niue taro once upon a time was sitting on the Auckland fruits and vegetables shelves in New Zealand a few years back, but unfortunately it was not successful due to some technical issues. Nevertheless, this initiative was awoken again by local farmers Bill Motufoou and John Tiakia who are members of the Niue Growers Association, to look into exporting Niue taro to New Zealand again.

Over the years the Niue taro was always exporting fresh and unpeeled taros, so the two farmers came up with a more effective way for people to buy the taro fast. And this is having the taros peeled, packaged, labelled, frozen and exported; making the Niue taro readily available for everyone.

In most countries there would be competition between farmers. But in this case, Bill and John are working together with the farmers to achieve the supply's that can meet the overseas market demands.

Exporting and Marketing strategies

Exporting is one thing, getting the customers to buy the product is another.

Since taro's been peeled and well packed now, Bill and John received assistance from NOEA (Niue Organic Export Association), who also deals with the export of conventional products, and DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) to find ways to improve products to be marketed ready for New Zealand. Economist and Marketing officer of DAFF, Jamal Talagi, who is also coordinating NOEA says that “product development at this level in government is relatively new and is explored more now with the establishment of the new Test Kitchen (also known as the Agro-Processing Facility). Some of the key things missing in the production line for export products is sourcing the appropriate packaging for products and the development of labels that are acceptable in markets abroad”.

Bill and John's product is called “Talo Niue” which will be registered in New Zealand as a product belonging to Niue. The initial costs for the labels and packaging for Talo Niue product was covered under the Product Development Budget of Government, which is administered by DAFF.

Talo Niue – a positive outlook for Niue

Local farmer Bill mentioned that the production level is still at a small scale production, taking one step at a time. Niuean's residing in New Zealand along with other Pacific islanders that love the Niue taro are happy that Niuean grown taro is available again in Auckland.

Significant to the Taro Business is the dwindling number growers who are mostly the aging population. It is a concern for the people of Niue that more and more young people are seeking white collar jobs over agricultural opportunities.  For more information, please contact Shop Exports New Zealand, who act as Bill and John’s agents overseas that deal with the export, handling and delivery process. Fresh and Frozen Taro go out of Niue via air freight every week.

Photo Credit: Punu Vakaafi (label designer)

Blogpost by Tom-Vaitolo Vaha, Livestock Officer, 
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Edited by Jamal Talagi, Economic and Marketing Officer,
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Social Media Reporters takes on AgriTourism Week

Where to now Social Media? Social media has become a very efficient means of communication nowadays. People (specifically youths) have revolved so much around technology, and the knowledge that they gain from these concepts have been utilized and applied to everyday life activities. Because social media is so big now, it is very easy to get a hold of a large group of audience all over the world. And having access and using the right social media tools, each and everyone has the potential to gather everyone’s attention and interact with one another on-line. 

History in the making

The first-ever Pacific Community AgriTourism week was held from the 29^th June to 3^rd July at Sofitel, Denarau, Nadi, Fiji, This history in the making event is a joint collaborative effort of the European Union funded Pacific Agriculture Policy Project (PAPP) implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the EU funded Pacific Regional Capacity Building Programme implemented by the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) as well as the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of the South Pacific (USP). The African Caribbean Pacific – European Union (ACP-EU), Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO) were also strategic partners providing technical and business perspective to the events. 

Social Media's role

The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation’s (CTA) in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) was supporting a team of young social reporters to attend and report on the event throughout the week. Unfortunately there were only eight participants from around the Pacific region that were selected to report on-site for this historical event. Other interested participants were also welcomed to join in the discussions as on-line reporters. The two-day social media training for the young social reporters was held on 27th - 28th June just before the main event. 

Nevertheless, the main goal for the social media reporting workshop was to learn the concepts of social networking tools and applying them to raise awareness for a series of events and reaching out to a wider audience remotely. These social networking tools includes; Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Blogging, Hootsuite, Flickr, and Slideshare. 

What was accomplished...

Having the main event focusing "linking Agriculture to the Tourism sector", everyone gained so much from witnessing different perspectives from farmers, chefs, hoteliers and  relevant partners to the event. The social media team managed to cover most of the event sessions throughout the week, the articles can be followed up on CTA's blog site and tweet messages through #PacAgriTo

These types of training's can be applied to Niue's Agricultural sector in terms of communicating and collaborating information's worldwide. Especially when holding workshops, seminars and conferences.