Neu: 2001-12-21 Contents of this issue:
1. Travel Sham? 2. Network Progress 3. Flying High 4. Food Parcel ======================================================================== December 21st, 2001 1. Travel Sham?: Royal Tongan Airlines came under a stinging attack in the Niue Assembly by common roll MP Hunukitama Hunuki. He claimed the people of Niue were "being taken for a ride" by the airline for having to transit in the Kingdom's capital overnight on flights to and from Auckland. "The owners of hotels and motels in Nuku'alofa along with the tax drivers are rubbing their hands in glee along when planes from Auckland and Niue arrive with passengers for overnight transits," said Mr Hunuki."We need to ask Tonga to reschedule their flights here to link in with Air NZ flights between Tonga and Auckland." Niueans, he said, were being treated as second class citizens while travelling on Royal Tongan Airlines citing luggage weight restrictions on flights when Tongans were allowed excess baggage. The airline services and the hidden costs are not encouraging any tourist initiatives on Niue. "You're not going to get anyone to come here under the present circumstances," said Mr Hunuki. Mr Hunuki claimed freight and mail was being left behind and that included urgent medical supplies. He added that recent statements made by the Premier about airline services by Air NZ were" kite flying and pie in the sky "and were a repeat performance of the Coral Aiir saga. RTA's agent on Niue, politician Toke Talagi said every effort had been made to link up flights so passengers could get a straight-through service but RTA and Air NZ were experiencing financial problems and Niue had to work with what was offered. He added that the Tongans were willing to help Niue but they are not going to sustain hefty losses for the sake of Niue. "One service was dropped this week due to the lack of passengers and freight." Premier Sani Lakatani said he was doing all he could to get Air NZ to fly to Niue. "Its our bad luck the way the Tonga schedule has worked out but we can't do anything about it." he said. It was unlikely, the Premier said, any move will be made by AIr NZ on any recommendations made by the Niue airline consultant Norman McFarlane until the airline's new board had settled in and its schedules closely monitored. Niue hopes Air NZ will fly an Auckland-Niue-Tonga - Auckland service in a 737-300 before April next year. Former Cabinet Minister Terry Coe said the Premier should get his facts straight before talking about Air NZ services to Niue. "We remember all the things he said about Coral Air and where is that now?" He claimed there was a conflict of interest with the airline consultant working for Niue and also advising Royal Tongan Airlines, a statement denied by the Premier. "The consultant has been working hard in the interests of Niue and he's doing a good job," said the Premier. 2. Network Progress: Expressions of interest are being invited from those wishing to run the planned Pacific radio network in New Zealand. The network, to be established with funding of almost $7.7 million, is expected to be on air in the second half of next year It will driven and operated by Pacific communities on a non-profit basis. The government has reserved a frequency on the FM band for the network which will cover about 95% of New Zealand. "We are looking for registrations from radio professionals with relevant experience and skills in delivering radio services for Pacific peoples," said Pacific Island Affairs Minister Mark Gosche. 3. Flying High: Air Nauru has resumed flights with its sole Boeing 737 aircraft after being grounded for a month because of problems paying maintenance bills to Australia's Qantas. The grounding affected both Kiribati and Nauru, with charter flights being used to maintain links between Kiribati and Fiji; and between Nauru and Australia. Because of the continuing problems with Air Nauru services, Kiribati is looking at getting an ATR72 aircraft for Air Kiribati to maintain flights to neighbouring countries such as Fiji. ( PINA Nius Online.) 4. Food Parcel: A bid to have import duties on a range of imported foodstuffs dropped split the Niue Legislative Assembly in its last debate of the year. Opposition MP Terry Coe presented a motion to the Assembly asking the Cabinet drop the 10% duties on meat and milk products, tinned fish, plain biscuits, margarine, breakfast cereal and sugar. To offset the loss he suggested duty on all motor vehicles be calculated on the landed CIF price which would increase the price by around $300-$500. "There are a lot of single income families on Niue struggling to meet their food bill each week. The cost of the food I want exempted from duty has risen by $20 recently and many families are feeling the pinch," he told the Assembly. "We are here to help the people and this is a genuine effort to do that. If you want to really help families, support this motion," he said. Government members criticised Mr Coe's request saying he was the Minister of Finance who placed a 10% duty on all goods in a bid to get more revenue for his government coffers.Those opposing the motion said no- one is destitute on Niue. "Those foods mentioned are causing major health problems to people on the island - we have a growing problem with diabetes and cancer. Give people a rod and let them go fishing," said deputy premier Young Vivian. In the final vote for the motion the Assembly was split 6/6. The matter will be referred to Cabinet. __END__
