Neu: 2002-05-02 Contents of this issue:
1. Beating The Rest 2. Fishing Venture 3. Air Service Priority ======================================================================== May 2nd, 2002 1. Beating The Rest: Niue's new premier <a href="2002Election/thm_YoungViviani.jpg">Young Vivian </a>(66) was tipped to get the top job weeks before the island's 10th general election. He gained backing from the Niue Peoples Party caucus after a major rift developed with the previous premier Sani Lakatani. Mr Vivian managed to fend off several strong challenges to his leadership bid by lobbying with assembly independents resulting in the downfall of <a href="2002Election/thm_SpeakerPosimani.jpg">Speaker Tama Posimani</a> and the election of newcomer <a href="2002Election/thm_SpeakerPosimani.jpg">Atapana Siakimotu</a>. Mr Vivian was premier of Niue in 1992 - for three months following the death of Niue's first leader Sir Robert Rex. He's been a supporter of the Niue Peoples Party since its formation. A former teacher Mr Vivian has been in politics since 1969 representing the village of Hakupu. From 1979 to 1982 Mr Vivian was secretary-general of the South Pacific Commission based in Noumea. Mr Vivian will announce his three person Cabinet on Friday. Mr Lakatani's political future is far from being confined to the backbenches, according to political observers on the island. A visibly disappointed Mr Lakatani who was not nominated for the leaders job is unlikely to lose much time planning a comeback. 2. Fishing Venture: The Cook Islands fishing industry is set for a boost with the arrival of the 33-meter (about 109-foot) Viking Spirit. The boat, which has a capacity of 80 to 100 tons and its own blast freezing equipment, is large enough to stay at sea for months at a time. It will offload most of its fish catch in Pago Pago, American Samoa.The boat has been chartered from New Zealand by Cook Islands Fishing. (Radio Australia). 3. Air Service Priority: Niue's new leader Young Vivian has put a direct jet service from New Zealand to the island on the top of his agenda. He says a dedicated flight is necessary to improve the ailing tourist industry. The Premier told Radio New Zealand International he will pursue talks with Air New Zealand. "It's always been on our list we've been trying our very best I'm looking at it to see if we can speed it up and have a look and get something reasonable for Niue we have requested Air New Zealand and were still waiting for their reply," said Mr Vivian. Elated after winning Niue's top job Mr Vivian said the Peoples Party had produced results and fulfilled their promises during the past three years and the voters had recognised that in the last general election. Political commentators say its likely requests for more aid from New Zealand are in the pipeline as Mr Vivian's Niue Peoples Party promised increased pensions, child allowances, sports grants, church grants and village council assistance before the election. New Zealand provides $6.5m in annual assistance through recurrent budget support and special project funding. The commentators say the new government will face a budget blow-out as the fiscal year ends in July Maintaining a living community will also be a priority as island residents continue to migrate to Australia and New Zealand. A Joint NZ/Niue Consultative Group meeting is scheduled for Niue this month to discuss the island's future constitutional status, revamping its current form of government and maintaining a sustainable living community. __END__