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Four islands eager to develop farmlands

By Helen Greig RAROTONGA, Cook Islands (Cook Islands News, April 27, 2010) – In the Cook Islands, agriculture minister Robert Wigmore is keen to see the NZ$3.5 million [US$2.5 million] Te One Kura project take off after holding initial talks with the four islands taking up the challenge.

The people of the Nga Pu Toru islands of Atiu, Mitiaro and Mauke along with Mangaia are all keen to take up the offer of assistance from government to revive the country’s agriculture industry.

Wigmore spoke to the media yesterday about his three day visit to Mangaia last week with Te One Kura’s project team and the potential that the island has for supplying a range of produce to the Rarotonga market.

According to team member Selina Napa from the Business Trade Investment Board (BTIB), the four islands have now expressed their view that if there is a market and cheap freight then they will sign up to the project.

"One of...

No modern navigational equipment used

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, May 2, 2010) – A Marshall Islands outrigger canoe has completed a 150-kilometre voyage between two atolls without the aid of modern navigational equipment for the first time since the Second World War.

The 30-foot outrigger canoe ’Jitdam Kapeel’ travelled from Majuro to Aur Atoll, relying only on traditional navigation.

The captain, Alson Kelen, who runs a canoe building and training programme, said they would also use the moon and stars to guide them on the sail that aims to demonstrate the skills that Marshall Islanders have used since they first settled there 2,000 years ago.

Mr Kelen has studied under Korent Joel, who is one of the last master navigators still alive in an island group known for navigational and canoe building

prowess.

Strong performance despite world recession

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, April 29, 2010) – Papua New Guinea airline Air Niugini has posted a US$24 million profit for 2009.

The Post Courier reports that the national carrier has plans to acquire two new-generation Dash 8-Q400 series planes in June and a Boeing 767 in September.

State Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare says Air Niugini is keen to capitalise on the potential business opportunities and developments arising from the multi-billion dollar LNG project.

Mr Somare says the airline continued to perform well during the global financial crisis at a time when many other carriers were being forced to reduce their services and cut staff.

CARGO
Threat to environment avoided

By Elenoa Baselala SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Times, April 28, 2010) - A Russian cargo ship was last week restricted from unloading containers at the Suva Wharf following the discovery of live pests.

The MV Florence was stopped by biosecurity officials who found the larvae during a routine inspection of cargo and container discharge from the vessels which arrived from neighboring Pacific islands.

Biosecurity director Ilaitia Boa said it was a clear example that Fiji’s quarantine system worked to protect our country’s biosecurity.

"The live pest is an exotic pest that poses a serious threat to Fiji’s horticulture industries and native forests," he said. "The pest is not known to occur in Fiji and its establishment would cause significant economic losses for horticulture production."

Mr. Boa said the pests infested damaged container spillage of processed animal feed originating from the west coast via Pacific Island...