More resilient and fit-for-purpose public buildings, better access to quality services and infrastructure, employment opportunities, improved health and wellbeing, enhanced community pride – we envision all of these things and more for the people of Mangaia and in turn the rest of our Pa Enua as each new project comes to fruition, writes Prime Minister Mark Brown.

Yesterday I led a government delegation to Mangaia to launch what will be a two-year programme of extensive government works and investment in the island’s infrastructure and people.

I always enjoy getting out to the Pa Enua, and especially on an occasion such as this when we are setting in motion so many new projects that will significantly enhance the lives of our people there.

We have a lot planned to take place in Mangaia over the next couple of years, starting with a total overhaul of the hospital building, including some major renovation, repair, replacement and extension work.

Now more than 60 years old, Mangaia Hospital has had several renovations over the years, although none have brought it up to the standard it should really be at in order to fully meet the health requirements of the Mangaian community and provide a suitable environment for the needs of both patients and staff.

It is high time we set about remedying that situation.

Beginning this month, the hospital will be undergoing major renovation works to support the delivery of quality health services for the people of Mangaia and also to allow for a robust response in the event of Covid-19.

We will be constructing a new triage area, new staffroom quarters with showers and toilets, and also an isolation room with accessible shower and toilet.

With a focus on improving structural integrity, water security and environmentally friendly waste treatment solutions, extensive improvements will be made to the existing main hospital building, raising service standards and access for everyone, including the elderly and disabled.

While this is going on, major electrical, plumbing and building improvements will be made to the doctor’s residence to improve the living quarters for Mangaia’s resident health practitioner.

Like the hospital, the doctor’s residence has been long overdue for a full renovation and restoration, over and above the piecemeal efforts that have been carried out in the past.

A major upgrade is planned for the kitchen, toilet and shower facilities, and further work over the coming months will address various issues caused by faulty plumbing, rotten ceilings, leaky roofs and cracking walls due to shifting foundations.

The third major item on the agenda for the first year of our Mangaia works programme is the delivery and installation of a long-awaited 20,000-litre fuel tank, to be mounted on newly poured foundations at the power station. As a replacement for one of two existing tanks, this will help support resilient power services to the people of Mangaia.

In year two we have an equally extensive and busy schedule in the works, including major renovations to the power station, the island government administration building, the infrastructure workshop, Mangaia College, Ivirua School and the Mangaia Lodge, as well as minor remedial work planned at other government sites.

All of these works have been thoroughly and carefully scoped and planned out over the past year, in conjunction with the Mangaia Island Government and our Cook Islands Investment Corporation, working alongside other relevant ministries like Te Marae Ora and the Ministry of Education when appropriate.

Our programme of works is guided by the Pa Enua Government Buildings Programme, which places the development of Pa Enua infrastructure front and centre in terms of government national planning.

While in the past CIIC has carried out minor remedial works when necessary to various government buildings throughout the Pa Enua, the objective of the Pa Enua Government Buildings Programme is to undertake significant building and/or asset replacements, renovations and repairs on each island for a period of two consecutive fiscal years.

Most recently this has been put into action in Atiu, where new constructions included a new doctor’s residence and courthouse, as well as major renovation work undertaken at Enuamanu School. Now it is Mangaia’s turn, with Mauke next on the list.

The benefits of this new approach to upgrading Pa Enua infrastructure are numerous and substantial.

Firstly, having a pre-scheduled and guaranteed budget support programme delivered simultaneously in two consecutive financial periods allows for better and more detailed research and planning, conditions assessment and risk management, which in turn helps us identify more effective and cost-efficient solutions that are best suited to raising service standards and the use of public buildings in the Pa Enua.

Further to this, economies of scale allow for the more efficient use and pooling of resources and more effective procurement and logistical methodology, ultimately resulting in project delivery at far greater value for money.

As well as these more practical payoffs, the strengthening of community ties and increased collaboration between central and island governments as a result of these works is of immeasurable benefit to both the island involved and our country as a whole.

More resilient and fit-for-purpose public buildings, better access to quality services and infrastructure, employment opportunities, improved health and wellbeing, enhanced community pride – we envision all of these things and more for the people of Mangaia and in turn the rest of our Pa Enua as each new project comes to fruition.

It is an exciting time, and I can’t wait to see the progress being made and the many positive effects of these works.

Kia Manuia.