Pacific BRIEFS DEATH PROMPTS MOSQUITO SPRAYING

NIUE – The Niue government has started a mosquito eradication spraying programme after the recent death of a young woman from chikungunya.

A 22-year-old mother reportedly contracted the mosquito-borne illness after spending two weeks in Samoa and died in Niue hospital several days after being admitted. A Niue opposition MP Terry Coe, is calling for more help from regional agencies to help get rid of the mosquitoes and with advice on medical care to more effectively deal with chikungunya in the Pacific. He says the government is warning travellers to Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands to protect themselves from mosquito bites. Coe says Niue only has one flight a week in and out of the country and seriously ill patients need medical evacuation for treatment off the island but he’s not sure the government would support that.

NIUE AGREES TO QUARANTINE ELEPHANTS

NIUE – Auckland Zoo says Niue has been confirmed as a holding facility for two elephants it is planning to acquire from Sri Lanka. It says zoo staff will care for the two companions for their only elephant, 32 year old Burma, during their three month long quarantine on Niue, before travelling on to New Zealand. Auckland zoo says it is still working with Sri Lankan authorities to source the elephants. The Niue Star reports that the chairperson of the Regional Facilities in Auckland City, Don McKinnon, was in Niue last week to inspect the temporary facility being readied to house the baby elephants. It says Niue will receive financial gain from the agreement to provide the young elephants’ accommodation just as it has when quarantining alpaca in the past.

TUVALUANS WANT IMPROVED STATUS

TUVALU – Tuvalu’s Prime Minister says New Zealand’s government should improve the status of Tuvaluans living in New Zealand and grant his citizens free access. Enele Sopoaga says many Tuvaluans go to New Zealand for better opportunities but end up becoming overstayers. Sopoaga says New Zealand authorities sometimes aren’t understanding of Tuvaluans’ plight and says he doesn’t see a need to be particular about overstayers. He says he’s hoping to raise the issue of improving the status of Tuvaluans – and other Polynesians – with New Zealand’s government and says there should be visa free entry, similar to that between New Zealand and Australia. “Give them an opportunity, improve their status, and they will contribute to the economy as workers, as legal stayers, not as overstayers.”

high commission opens in wellington

TUVALU – Tuvalu’s high commissioner-designate to New Zealand says he expects his country to benefit significantly from the opening of a High Commission in Wellington. Samuelu Laloniu says being in Wellington should improve how the country talks with New Zealand and other donor countries and make it easier to advocate in Tuvalu’s interest, over such concerns as climate change policy. Laloniu says opening a High Commission in New Zealand is something that Tuvalu has hoped to achieve since it gained independence. “We have been planning for quite a very long time and finally, after 30 years, this milestone has finally been reached, so this is huge.” Laloniu moves into the role of High Commissioner after previously running Tuvalu’s consulate office in Auckland.

IMMIGRATION LOOPHOLE CLOSED

AMERICAN SAMOA – American Samoa has unanimously approved a bill which controls the ability of corporations to sponsor foreign nationals. The bill requires that corporations show proof of timely payment of local taxes and government fees, and in the case of new corporations they must submit a business plan. Only corporations certified by the attorney general can sponsor aliens. Corporations can no longer sponsor someone who has a control or interest in that corporation . In addition the bill put a stop to the transfer of sponsorships. The legislation is intended to close a loophole which currently allows a corporation to be formed and become wholly owned and operated by a foreign national resident in the territory.