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Kiwi transplant says it’s unjust to deny expats benefits

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Oct. 2, 2011) – A group of New Zealanders living in the Cook Islands for decades is lobbying to get New Zealand superannuation.

The leader of the New Zealand Superannuation Lobby Group, Les Priest, says the Cook Islands are part of the Realm of New Zealand, but pension portability criteria don’t apply in their case.

The rules say people must be living in New Zealand when applying, and they must spend five years in New Zealand after the age of 50.

He says it is unjust.

"I came over here at the age of 47 and I’ve been here for the last 35 years. I had a Cook Island wife, now deceased, and my Cook Island children and grandchildren are all here and I’ve contributed to the community while I’ve been here. But any New Zealander who’s had no relationship with the Cooks at all can come over for the lifestyle and bring their pension and live...

SOLOMONS
Australian agency to train 11,000 islanders in advanced methods

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, Sept. 28, 2011) – Solomon Islands non government organisation Kastom Garden has signed a US$2.5 million agreement with Australia's international aid agency AusAID.

The environmental NGO estimates 11,000 people will be trained in farming methods and nutrition as a result of the funding agreement.

Kastom Garden general manager Clement Hadosaia says thousands of families in Solomon Islands will be provided with better food crops and advice on more effective farming methods.

He told Pacific Beat that he hoped the agreement would improve the domestic agricultural market.

"People can produce more from the garden and then they can keep their families happy by feeding them with enough food to eat with the nutrients that are good for their health," he said. "Also, as part of the program we will be encouraging them to look further than that...

JOURNALISTS
Member of Parliament demands $10,000 for critical
story

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Oct. 2, 2011) – The International Federation of Journalists has condemned the use of compensation claims to intimidate journalists in Solomon Islands.

On September the 21st supporters of West Honiara Member of Parliament Namson Tran demanded nearly 10,000 US dollars in compensation from the Island Sun.

The demand was reportedly made in response to a story published in the newspaper, which reported Mr Tram’s purchase and private registration of his government vehicle.

In a statement, the IFJ calls on Solomon Islands police to investigate in a timely manner, and encourages all journalists to report any similar threats to the authorities.

It reminds government officials that a strong, impartial media is best achieved through functioning codes of ethics and self-regulation mechanisms.

Lingering La Nina weather pattern to blame

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Oct. 2, 2011) – A leading weather forecaster is predicting little relief, short term, for drought-affected areas of the Pacific region.

Tuvalu has declared a state of emergency while Samoa, American Samoa, Tokelau and Tonga are also suffering from lack of rainfall.

The principal climate scientist at New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Dr James Renwick, says the unusual dry period is a result of the lingering La Nina weather pattern which looks to be redeveloping after being the main weather influence last summer.

Dr Renwick says the prospects of rain in the near future aren’t encouraging.

"That’s not to say there can’t be developments with convective rainfall. And I guess as we get into the cyclone season, which is still, I guess, a month or two away from really getting going, events can happen. But overall rainfall...