Innovation and daring in the north

It concerns Pukapuka community leader Nuku Rapana that since the cyclones in 2005 the population of Pukapuka has dropped from between 600-700 people down to about 400.
Despite this set back, some innovative and daring ideas may be just what’s needed to turn the tide.
For many years, Pukapuka, unlike other islands in the northern group, had managed to maintain a population level of between 600-700 people because of the strong community ties to culture and tradition.
Rapana is concerned those traditions and the culture including the language may now be under threat if nothing is done to boost the population on Pukapuka.
Rapana leads the New Zealand Pukapuka community from the South Auckland base and is the global leader for the Pukapuka people based in NZ, Australia and the Cook Islands. Maara Timoti in Brisbane leads the Australian group while Tingika Elikana leads the Cook Islands based group.
Rapana said the historic two vessel voyage which set out from Matautu wharf in Samoa at 9.30am on December 27th for Nassau and Pukapuka is the trail blazer which will open up Pukapuka and the northern Cook Islands to potentially rewarding economic opportunities which will better the lives and future prospects of the people (see story in last week’s issue of the Herald).
Opening up new and cheaper routes to the north from NZ and Australia via Samoa will help to bring people back home said Rapana.
He said 42 people travelled to Nassau and 32 to Pukapuka aboard two large fishing vessels well capable of carrying more passengers. Both boats were specially chartered.
Rapana said that another voyage was planned for December 2011 and also being looked at was a proposal to get a group to Manihiki by air or boat via Samoa. He said during 2011 it was hoped to discuss with the NZ government and Tokelau authorities the possibility of utilizing the boat servicing Tokelau which the NZ government provides support for.
Rapana said the he and the other leaders were looking at securing funds to purchase a boat. There was a proposal already at the design stage which was for a vessel that could carry passengers and cargo and also house a medical facility like a clinic.
The increased activity and liaison with the Samoan government meant the Honorary Consul to Samoa, Mrs Luna Paul, would become busier and in this regard Rapana said assistance from the Cook Islands government should be considered. He spoke highly of Paul whom he said understood the issues very well and had a good rapport with the Samoan Prime Minister.
Especially since the plan now is to secure a block of land in Samoa for use as a base for Cook Islanders in transit to the northern group. Samoa had already granted land to other Pacific groups such as Tokelau, Niue and the Solomons. The proposal is to build accommodation and facilities for cargo.
Rapana said the establishment of a regular shipping and possibly future air service to Samoa will not only bring Pukapuka people home but will provide a conduit for exports of local produce such as Virgin Coconut Oil, Taro and fish. It will also enable Pukapuka to market itself as a destination for eco-tourism.
Rapana said the current leadership for the international effort, himself, Elikana and Timoti, meet every two years. They first met in Pukapuka in 2007 which coincided with the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Gospel in Pukapuka. Every fourth year there is a combined global meeting and in 2011 this will be held in Auckland.
Rapana said in the near future the “Pukapuka Development Charitable Trust” will be registered in the Cook Islands to oversee future projects.
One of his pet proposals is to improve the harbour at Pukapuka. He would like to see the natural deep water basin opened up for vessels by widening the opening at the ocean side and closing off the opening on the lagoon side. Some coral heads in the basin would need to be removed. He said the work was started by the Americans who came in 1958 to observe the eclipse.

By Charles Pitt

Herald Issue 463 10 June
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