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TIS NEWSLETTER October 2004
Dear Members, Partners & Friends, Kia orana and greetings! Welcome to your Society's newsletter. We are pleased to bring to you an update of ongoing and new activities carried out during the period July-October. The good news is that the "Island Memories" project, funded by UNESCO is now being implemented. Richard Watcher, Vice President, reports on this project later in the newsletter. UNESCO Pacific Participation Application 2004/5: We have made an application for the above funding source to support environmental education and awareness activities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration has advised that three Cook Islands applications have been accepted. At the time of going to press, it was uncertain if we were one of the lucky ones. Watch this space! GEF Funded Medium-Size Biodiversity Project: Wayne King a Cook Islander working for International Global Change Institute ("IGCI") at the University of Waikato attended the July 2004 meeting of the TIS Executive Committee. He informed us of a concept proposal that he is preparing in collaboration with the National Environment Service. Wayne is working towards developing the first phase of the project which is seeking $US25,000 from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). If successful, the grant will make enable a detailed proposal to be prepared by a consultant. The concept proposal has three major areas of focus. They are: (1) traditional medicines (vairakau Maori); (2) protected habitat areas (including ra'ui) - both areas are covered under the Convention of Biological Diversity, which the Cook Islands is party to; and lastly (3) waste reduction and land degradation, which is covered under several Waste Management Conventions. The meeting with Wayne discussed the possibility of TIS having a role in assisting implementation if the project gets underway. We expect to hear more on the outcome of the project proposal in the near future. April 2004 UNESCO SIV Video Skills Workshop: Copies of the video clips made by the participants of the above workshop were sent to UNESCO. Favourable comments were received on the clips. The remaining funds of $US1500 from this project will support some Cook Islands schools to participate in the UNESCO internet forums. UNESCO-SIV Project "Island Memories"- Proposed by Richard Wachter & Paolo Cattania: Financial support has been successfully secured from UNESCO Small Islands Voice to implement the "Island Memories" project. The project video documents past memories relating to environmental activities. Funding support to the tune of US$12,000 has been awarded. Following, Richard Wachter reports on a recent visit to the pilot project site, Mauke. On Sept 24th 2004 the production team departed Rarotonga for the outer island of Mauke. Jean Mason, a published writer/poet, who was born and raised on Mauke and is very passionate about her island is our writer, narrator, translator. Hinoi Henry, Rarotongan of Nga pu toro descent was our cameraman from Te Digital Factory. Our VP, Richard Wachter is the producer and Director. We were met at the Mauke airport by Teina Enua, our camera assistant, who participated in the Video upgrading course on Rarotonga for outer islands broadcasters which was sponsored by UNESCO Small Island Voices in April 2004. Teina is also the island mayor and we proceeded to scout our locations immediately upon arrival on that Friday afternoon. This four person team went to work Saturday morning and we shot tape for the next 7 days averaging 10 hours per day. Everywhere we went the wonderful people of Mauke welcomed us into their homes, plantations, celebrations and families and were so eager to participate and help and assist us in any way possible. Their hospitality was the most memorable part of the exercise. We shot the Maire business which is the main export crop for Mauke. We visited the 2 schools and presented the Small Island voices magazines, brochures and T-shirts and encouraged teachers and students to participate in the SIV and Sandwatch programs. The students were incredible and sang the legend of Paikea for us. We recorded the attributes of Mauke - churches, beaches, grotto, reef, lagoon, historic homes, accommodation, caves, miracle oil, canoe making, and crafts of all kinds. We interviewed several of the oldest inhabitants about their memories and what was passed down to them by their ancestors, all in their native Maukean dialect. We recorded local island legends particular to Mauke and were able to stage and in-act some of the legends. We now have over 7 hours worth of tape which we have started to edit down to about one hour and 20 minutes to fit it on to DVD. If all goes well we should have a finished product in Nov. this year ready for duplication and distribution by the holidays. We distributed 30 SIV T-shirts and literature and explained the SIV program to schools, leaders, and everyone we came in contact with. At this time everyone on Mauke has heard about Small Islands Voices and its terrific programs. IPEN Template: Imogen Ingram has sent IPEN ("International POPs Elimination Network") a preliminary report on setting up the project and funding requirements to cover the cost of testing lagoon water for the presence of Persistent Organic Pollutants ("POPs") and algae. This project might serve as a model for other Pacific Island countries who may wish to set up similar initiatives NZAID Funded Project to test Rarotonga Lagoon Water for Persistent Organic Pollutants & Algae: After some initial delay, the funds for the financial year to 30 June 205 have now been received from NZAID. A second payment for the financial year ending 30 June 2006 will be received next year. The contract documents were signed by Imogen Ingram in Wellington during September 2004. She also met with Dr You-Sing Yong at Watercare Laboratories Ltd, Mangere (who will be the liason person for the laboratory tests). Requirements for the collection of samples were discussed, and Watercare has forwarded a carton of empty containers for the lagoon water samples. The last step is to liaise with freight forwarders about sending the filled sample bottles to NZ. (Air NZ regards them as corrosive material because of the salt-water content.) The revised start date for the project is November 2004. Possible Suwarrow National Park Authority: As part of a consultancy for the National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (NBSAP), Ian Karika has prepared a draft bill that will assist the establishment of the Suwarrow Management Authority. It is planned to undertake public consultations on the consultancy report and draft bill. So keep your eyes and ears opened for times and venues of the public consultations! Conservation of Tangae'o in Mangaia: In recent years, the Tangae'o, which is restricted to Mangaia has declined in numbers. TIS along with the Takitumu Conservation Area have facilitated efforts to conserve Tangae'o. One recent initiative is assisting with background information for a research permit for an English university student Elizabeth who is currently in Mangaia to study the bird. The outcome of her study will be a conservation plan for the Tangae'o.
Renewable Energy Workshop: This three day workshop is organized by SOPAC and the Ministry of Energy. The first day of the workshop will be held Monday 1 November 2004 in Mangaia. The following 2 days will be held in Rarotonga. Visit by Don Stewart, Birdlife International, Fiji: Don Stewart, the Pacific Regional Programme Manager of the BirdLife International Pacific Secretariat based in Suva will be in Rarotonga for a day on 28th October. He will meet with the executive committee for lunch and discuss matters regarding the Pacific BirdLife partnership with Anna Tiraa. TIS is an affiliate of BirdLife International. National Environmental Forum 30 November - 2 December 2004 (3 days): The forum is being organized by the National Environment Service. The output of the forum will be a 5-year National Environment Strategic Action Framework. "E KURA MANA TO TATOU AORANGI" (Our environment is a priceless gift.) Goals of the National Environment Forum a) To update stakeholders on pressing and future national environmental issues, outcomes of relevant projects and other related important agreements and targets. b) Outer Islands to update on island specific environment status and future initiatives c) To update, receive suggestions and feedbacks from stakeholders on the draft National Environment Strategic Action Framework (NESAF) 2005-2009 d) To establish new, and strengthen existing partnerships for implementing the new NESAF, through discussion with all stakeholders. TIS executive committee members, 2004: President - Imogen Ingram Vice President - Richard Wachter Treasurer - Ian Karika Secretary - Noeline Brown Executive members - Andy Olah, Tamara Suchodolsky, Tony Williamson , Rod Henderson, Dr. Teariki Tarmarua, Anna Tiraa, Johnny Frisbie |
