“Kautaha” Coordinated Collaborative Communities: Including Isolated Islanders

1 | P a c i f i c

FVSAI-HAWAI’I

Alliant International University

Pacific Centre

Massey University

PacificWIN & Vagahau Niue Trust

(CSO, New Zealand)

Innovation - Pacific Regional Consultation

World Humanitarian Summit

30 June -02 July 2015

“Kautaha” Coordinated Collaborative Communities:

Including Isolated Islanders

2 | P a c i f i c

CONTENTS

Recommendations

Introducing “Kautaha”

Backgrounding “Kautaha”

Key Viewpoint: Māori o Aotearoa

Key Viewpoint: Tonga

Key Viewpoint: Niue

Key Viewpoint: Cook Islands

Key Viewpoint: Samoa

“Kautaha” Strategy

Summary of “Kautaha”

Acknowledgements

Cover Courtesy of Mark Cross: “Opaahi” (Heta Cyclone, 2004)

On the afternoon of January 5, 2004 everything went horizontal. Or maybe the world outside our “Hurricane House” went vertical as we plummeted at 300 kilometers

per hour through space while the lighter fragments of our world, the palm fronds, the sheets of corrugated iron and whole roofs whistled and roared past us at unbelievable speed. We might as well have been falling vertically as in a cyclone, in the middle of the rainforest there are no coordinates to aid orientation, no

definitive horizon.

3 | P a c i f i c

Recommendations

That the Māori leaders and stakeholders in New Zealand and Australia are invited to hui with

Ministers and sponsoring agencies concerned to discuss issues and needs pertinent to states of emergency affecting Māori.

That the Pacific leaders and stakeholders in New Zealand, Australia and USA are invited to fono with the Ministers and sponsoring agencies concerned to discuss issues and needs pertinent to states of emergency affecting Pacific.

That the only New Zealand-based training course offered by Pacific trainers is resourced, supported and provided in other cities where Pacific communities are concentrated.

That there is dedicated and systematic institutional coordination and leadership for Māori and Pacific humanitarian action and responses in the Pacific metropolitan countries of New Zealand, Australia and USA..

That leading ethnic-specific Pacific organisations are identified to assume coordination and communications for metropolitan-based Pacific communities during pertinent .

That there is integration of Pacific peoples in metropolitan countries, in the regional development and implementation of policy, processes and procedures in humanitarian action and responses.

That responsible agencies ring-fence targeted resources for the future development of Māori and Pacific lead organisations to best contribute to future agencies.

Lead Pacific coordinators should develop agreements with a number of stand-by capacity rosters to provide flexible expertise to complement existing capacity, on an as needed basis.

That Māori youth are nurtured, mentored and coached to assume responsibilities in pertinent emergencies in the Pacific Region.

That Pacific youth are nurtured, mentored and coached to assume responsibilities in pertinent emergencies in the Pacific Region.

4 | P a c i f i c

Introducing “Kautaha”

"...ke fakatouato 'ae tua moe palai

'O hange tofu pe ko hono fai 'i he mamani lahi

Fakahounga e mo'oni 'oe fiemateaki"

(Tongan Song provided by Prof Malakai)

So that the chiefly and commoner types of yam are equal,

As is done globally and in other places,

Giving voice to the spirit of working together for common gains

Polynesians

Inside me the dead

Woven into my flesh like the music of bone flutes:

My Polynesian fathers

Who escaped the sun‟s wars, seeking

These islands by prophetic stars…

„Inside Us the Dead‟ by Albert Wendt

Lali: A Pacific Anthology (1980)1

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi

Engari he toa takitini

Reminded by Kaumatua Chris Adams (Kai Tangata, Māori Leader)

"Kia vai te‟ate‟amamao kia rauka te ora”

Being prepared saves lives

Mrs Rosie Blake (Cook Islands Leader/Cook Islands Consul General)

Ko e kalaga mahino atu ki a lautolu ne lagomatai tumau atu ke tau Atu

Motu Pasifika ka fai matematekelea, ke lagomatai mai ki a mautolu,

Tau Matakainaga Pasifika, ke fakamalolo a mautolu nei ke maeke a

mautolu ke o atu ke lagomatai ha malu motu mooli ne hele ai e pito…

Tutagaloa Tutose Tuhipa MNZM (Niue Leader)

E ui ina ua fai I lagi le folauga a tuaa, o e sa tauasaina I tausaga e tele

gasu ole taeao mo se manuia mase soifua saogalemu o tagata Samoa, ae

sa tu‟u taliga, tu‟u fofoga mai alafua e soifua felagolagoma‟i ona tagata.

Sa lu‟itauina ile taimi ole Fa‟a Kolone, (Colonisation) ae sa le‟i toa ai le

finau male sa‟ili malo ole atunu‟u. Ua ta‟o‟oto mai tiasa tuaa ae le o

galo I augatupulaga e o‟o mai lenei talutalufou, ona fa‟atino tu ma aga

mamalu a Samoa e iloagofie ai tatou ele lalolagi atoa. O lo‟o tatou

feagai pea ma fita ma faigata ile tatou folauga, ae o lo tatou tutumau ile

tatou talitonuga “FA‟AVAE ILE ATUA SAMOA” o lo tatou manuia

lena. Samoa tautuana lo ta tofi ne‟i ma‟uma‟u.

Afamasaga Agnes Rasmussen (Samoa Leader)

Diverse Diasporic Pacific

The Pacific Region is our dynamic Home characterized by great

talanoa2, many warriors, pockets of great wealth, diversity,

varying development and change. The adage, “there is no

place like home” is especially so to its multi-tasking diasporic

sons and daughters who reside in other motu.3 Also standing

tuturu4 in the region is another leadership group, the Māori, who

we are pleased to include in this talanoa.5

The Pacific Region also greatly challenged by its variety,

whether it be in dimensions of many races, ethnicities,

nationalities, socio-economic status, demographics, religious

beliefs, political beliefs and other ideologies. It is also beset

with tau matematekelea6 and it is most vulnerable and

susceptible due to extreme climatic changes, and unstable and

changing environment.

This is one of the first opportunities ever allowed Pacific

peoples to contribute to this important Humanitarian debate.

The mantra for the „Beyond2015‟ Campaign supports that “no

one gets left behind”. Therefore, this is a collection of talanoa

from a few Pacificans residing in Aotearoa New Zealand who

are intent that a few Pacific voices are not left behind or left out

of this dialogue. We have all experienced the traumatic effects

of afa7 in our respective homelands. Fakamolemole mai

8 as

time did not allow us to talanoa with other Pacific leaders to

innovate and really fine-tune this koha9 to the humanitarian

dialogue, we offer up this “Kautaha Strategy” for your

consideration.

Kia Manuia/Kia Monuina/Ia manuia…“Kautaha” Prof Malakai Koloamatangi (Tongan)

Fuimaono Ben P Taufua NZOM (Samoan)

Suzanna Tiapula JD (American Samoan)

Frances Topa-Fariu (Cook Islands)

Hone Popata (Ngati Kahu, Māori)

Deborah Misiuepa (Tainui, Māori/Niue)

Pefi Kingi QSM (Niue)

1 Institute for Pacific Studies, Suva, 1980 2 Common Polynesian word for „stories/thinking/oratory…‟ 3 Common for „island‟ 4 Tuturu for staunch/tall

5 Talanoa for paper 6 Vagahau Niue for „catastrophies‟ 7 Common for „cyclones‟ 8 Vagahau Niue for „apologies‟ 9 Commonly used Maori kupu/word for „gift‟

5 | P a c i f i c

Backgrounding “Kautaha”

Māori Leader and activist, Prof Margaret Mutu (2013)10

reminds us that constitutional expert and legal philosopher, Moana Jackson, considered an agreements to be important, “the values and rules that people use to govern their relationships with each other, with the land and the wider world around them.” He goes on to say “A constitution is only tika, or correct, if it is based on a core set of values that reflect the highest and most ineffable hopes of the people of the land.” We seek a conversation around these whakaaro.

11

Historically, Pacific peoples were seafarers and the ocean connected all motu

12 and islanders who traded

with neighbouring islands. Transport routes opened up inter-island travel and migration directions were forged. Migration has increased exponentially in the last century. Colonial ties determined the migration routes of Pacific peoples so that Tahitians and New Caledonians travelled to France, American Samoans to America and Melanesians to Australia. Most Pacific peoples who migrated to New Zealand had a British colonial history – the Niue, Cook Islands, Tokelau, Samoan, Tongans and others.

“Kautaha” proposes that future humanitarian mahi,13

is an inclusive approach because that is not the case at present. A hui

14 for indigenous Māori of Aotearoa New

Zealand is most critical so they can korero15

this through. A fono

16 for Pacific groups residing in New Zealand,

Australia and USA is the other most critical undertaking that will change future humanitarian work in the Pacific Region.

“Kautaha”17

got together and socialised a few key whakaaro for this paper. We anticipate a few hui and fono that will produce constructive solutions for ways forward for Māori and Pacific residing in New Zealand, Australia and USA, so that we are included in future disaster management strategies…“Kautaha”

“Kautaha”

Prof Malakai Koloamatangi Fuimaono Ben P Taufua

Suzanna Tiapula Frances Topa-Fariu

Hone Popata

Deborah Misiuepa Pefi Kingi

10

„Te Tiriti o Waitangi in a Future Constitution: Removing the Shackles of Colonisation‟

2013 Robson Lecture, Napier 22 April 2013, Te Rūnanga-ā-Iwi o Ngāti Kahu and the University of Auckland 11

Whakaaro for thinking 12

Motu for island/countries/nations 13 Mahi for work 14 Hui/Fono for meeting 15

Korero for dialogue 16

Fono for community meeting 17

Kautaha for together/in unison

6 | P a c i f i c

Key Viewpoint: Māori o Aotearoa

In metropolitan countries, many indigenous peoples now live in

urban areas, for example, 80 percent of Māori live in main

cities.18

Lambert19

notes that this means that their experience

with environmental hazards and challenging disaster management

do change. New Zealand has significant geological and hydro-

meteorological hazards and the experiences of how urban Māori

respond to ensuing disasters provides important insights into 21st

century disaster risk reduction for Indigenous societies.

A few young Māori leaders were consulted on their whakaaro20

concerning humanitarianism noted that it does not make sense that Māori

are not empowered in their own motu to be part of any strategy to assist

and help their own people in humanitarian mahi,21 especially in their

own backyard. In effect, it is this omission, deliberate or not, that

continues marginalization of indigenous peoples.

Young leaders who look up to Professor Margaret Mutu (2013)22 pulled

out one of her most powerful deliveries as an important reminder of

Māori leadership and engagement which, they assert is pertinent as a

foundation in disaster management (they indicate she says best what

they want to say),

More and more Māori are starting to climb out of crippling poverty and are working together towards the full recognition of our mana and tino rangatiratanga,

our sovereignty. We expect Pākehā to take ownership of and address their own

problems such as their racism and their own history, and to take positive steps to redress the problems these have caused including letting go of some of their

power. Māori are proud of who we are and we are taking back control of our lives

and our territories. And Māori are leading out the long conversation this country is entering into about the rules we can all agree to live by – rules about respecting

and caring for each other, ensuring people are safe, looking after this beautiful

country so that she can continue to nurture the many generations to come and

most importantly, living together in peace and friendship. It will take a while and

it may not happen in my life time but it will happen. My hope is that my

mokopuna will live in a constitutionally different world from the one I grew up in, one that honours He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi and one in which

Māori are free of the shackles of colonisation. Kia ora tātou.

The young leaders further remind that in disaster management,

the bottom line of contention is power and control, they indicate

it is critical that they are considered an important resource who

are part of the solution. There has been little dialogue and

inclusive engagement so that this can be made possible in terms

of addressing challenges. There needs to be more coordination

and “power” given over to the real people to design and tailor real

management plans that are to be effective in emergencies. This is

the first real sign of real „manaakitanga me te aroha mo te

whenua.‟23

It was noted that Māori Youth in particular, must be trained and

enskilled to take up the challenge and the call to assist when

emergencies, natural or man-made occur in the motu. It was

offered that Māori people have a history of being courageous and

fearless and when trained in pertinent skills, they will be the most

valuable warriors on the field in any emergency, especially

including 129,000 Māori who live in Australia and who should be

first priority to return home when their marae and iwi are in a

state of emergency.

Lambert (2014) reminds that, „For more efficient responses to

future disasters, disaster management needs to be more inclusive

through meaningful collaboration with the Indigenous Māori

communities. In New Zealand, this will require the informed

engagement of Māori, mana whenua and ngā taura here/ngā

maata waka, who also need to be allowed to participate in the

myriad strategic plans for DRR.24

While an important reaction to

any disaster may be to move, the movement of Indigenous

individuals or groups will have known pathways according to

cultural nodes, networks, and practices. These can, and should, be

integrated into disaster management planning and operations,

including DRR.‟25

Suggestions for a way forward

“Easy: we just want our own hui with our people per

our kawa, our tikanga”

That Māori people in Aotearoa New Zealand and

Australia are invited to hui with the Ministers and

sponsoring agency[ies] concerned to discuss all issues

pertinent to states of emergency affecting Aotearoa New

Zealand.

That leading Māori organisations are identified to

assume coordination and communications for NZ-based

and Australian-based Māori communities during

disasters.

That hapu and iwi are an integral part and they must be

part of the solution, not left out and omitted from

contributing to the solution.

18 Census 2013, Statistics NZ 19 Simon Lambert, „Indigenous Peoples and urban disaster: Māori responses to the 2010-12 Christchurch earthquakes‟ in. Australasian Journal of Disaster and

Trauma Studies. 2014 Volume 18, Number 1 20 Whakaaro - thinking 21 Mahi for work 22 „Te Tiriti o Waitangi in a Future Constitution: Removing the Shackles of Colonisation‟ 2013 Robson Lecture, Napier 22 April 2013, Te Rūnanga-ā-Iwi o Ngāti Kahu and the University of Auckland 23

“stewardship and care for the land” 24

DRR – Disaster Risk Reduction

7 | P a c i f i c

Bus hit by debris, Christchurch, 22Feb201126

185 Chairs by Artist Pete Majendie27 is an art installation unveiled on the first anniversary of the February 2011 earthquake and features 185 painted white chairs

representing the people who died.arthquake memorial in Christchurch says he has had to replace about 20 that have been vandalised or stolen in the past 18 months.

25

Simon Lambert, 2014. 26

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4688231/65-dead-in-devastating-Christchurch-quake 27

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/canterbury-earthquake/216381/earthquake-memorial-target-for-vandals

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4688231/65-dead-in-devastating-Christchurch-quake

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/canterbury-earthquake/216381/earthquake-memorial-target-for-vandals

8 | P a c i f i c

Key Viewpoint: Tonga

According to the Australian Census 201128, there were 25,096 Tongans

living all over Australia, with the majority residing in Sydney, Brisbane

and Melbourne.

In 2013,29 the Tongan-NZ population was 60,336; most (78 percent)

resided in Auckland. Of the total Tongan community, 59

percent (20,886 people) were in the labour force. Tongans in the

workforce were most likely to be aged 30-64.

In terms of labour force status, 44 percent of Tongans were in full-time

employ, 10 percent were in part-time employ; and 7 percent were

unemployed. 61 percent of the unemployed were aged 15-29 years.

Most Tongans were: labourers (24 percent or 1,128 people), machinery

operators and drivers (14 percent) and community and personal service

workers (13 percent). Tongan men were most likely to be employed as

labourers (28 percent), while women were most likely to be employed as

community and personal service workers (20 percent).

The most common industries worked in were: manufacturing (19 percent

or 2,895 people), health care and social assistance (11 percent) and

construction (8 percent). Men were most likely to work in the

manufacturing industry (25 percent) and women were most likely to

work in the health care and social assistance industry (21 percent).

The point of this is to indicate that there are skilled volunteers in the NZ

and Australian Tongan communities who have a variety of skills that are

useful and necessary during states of emergency.

Industry

Tongan employed population aged 15 years and over

Source: 2013 Census, Statistics NZ

Manufacturing 18.9

Health care and social assistance 11.1

Construction 8.3

Retail trade 8.2

Transport, postal and warehousing 6.4

Wholesale trade 6.3

Administrative and support services 5.9

Education and training 5.8

Accommodation and food services 5.0

Public administration and safety 5.2

Professional, scientific and technical services 4.2

Agriculture, forestry and fishing 3.4

Financial and insurance services 3.2

Other services 3.0

Rental, hiring and real estate services 1.8

Arts and recreation services 1.4

Information media and telecommunications 1.3

Electricity, gas, water and waste services 0.7

Mining 0.1

Total People 100.0

1. Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification 2006 (ANZSIC06 V1.0).

The „new development orthodoxy‟30 notes two strands structural

adjustment and sustainable development of resources. This paper

emphasises the importance of the old guard redefining how it could work

with Pacific communities who are greatly invested in their respective

homelands.

Since 2002 in NZ health provision, the number of Pacific providers has

grown from 14 to 39. Many have teams of up to 20 or 30 clinical and

non-clinical health professionals providing integrated family healthcare

service. Around a dozen offer the full range of GP services

complemented by a range of community health initiatives. A number of

others are well on the way to establishing similar comprehensive

services; and that is just the health sector.

Pacific peoples are demonstrating that we are a skilled group of

professionals and in order to increase effectiveness, we all need to

collaborate a lot more than previous. In our respective nations, we are

not only land owners, we are also caretakers of our families through

remittances and other regular transactions.

Suggestions for a way forward

That Tongan people in New Zealand and Australia are invited

to fono with the Ministers and sponsoring agency[ies]

concerned to discuss all issues pertinent to states of emergency

affecting Tonga.

That the only New Zealand-based training course offered by

Pacific trainers is resourced, supported and provided in other

cities where Pacific communities are concentrated.

That leading ethnic-specific Pacific organisations are identified

to assume coordination and communications for NZ-based and

Australian-based Pacific communities during disasters.

That responsible agencies ring-fence targeted resources for the

future development of Pacific lead organisations to best

contribute to future agencies.

28

Dept of Immigration and Border Protection. 2014. The People of Australia. Statistics from the 2011 Census. Australia: Commonwealth of Australia. 29

Census 2013. 2013. Wellington: Statistics New Zealand. 30

Greg Fry, „Climbing back on the map? The South Pacific Forum and the New Development Orthodoxy‟ in Bryant-Tokalau, J. & Frazer, I. eds 2006. Redefining the Pacific: Regionalism Past, Present and Future. Ashgate Pub Co: Burlington, VT.

https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=LS6dZf9Npz4C&printsec=frontcover&dq=Redefining+the+Pacific?:+Regionalism+Past,+Present+and+Future&hl=en&sa=X&ei=2uJmVeGbAaWrmAW7vYCQCQ&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAA

9 | P a c i f i c

Tropical Cyclone Ian caused devastation in Tonga 11 Jan 201431

Lessons learnt by Tongan Met Service after Cyclone Ian 201432

31

Retrieved 25 May 15 from www.3news.co.nz 32

Retrieved 25 May 15 from www.sprep.org 32

http://www.3news.co.nz/

http://www.sprep.org/

10 | P a c i f i c

Key Viewpoint: Niue

According to the Australian Census 201133, there were 3,143 Niue living

all over Australia, mainly in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne.

In 2013,34 the Niue population was 23,883; most (78 percent) resided in

Auckland. Of this number, 66 percent (9,591 people) were in the labour

force. Niue in the workforce were most likely to be aged 30-64.

In terms of labour force status, 48 percent Niue were in full-time employ,

11.5 percent were in part-time employ; and 54 percent were unemployed.

60 percent of the unemployed were aged 15-29 years.

The most common occupations for Niue were: labourers (16 percent or

1,128 people), professionals (14 percent) and clerical and administrative

workers (14 percent). Niue men were most likely to be employed as

machinery operators and drivers (21 percent), while women were most

likely to be employed as clerical and administrative workers (20

percent).

In industry, and of greater interest, the most common industries worked

in were: manufacturing (14.2 percent or 1,029 people) retail trade (11

percent), and health care and social assistance (10 percent). Men were

most likely to work in the manufacturing industry (20 percent) and

women were most likely to work in the health care and social assistance

industry (18 percent).

The point of this is to indicate that there are skilled volunteers in all

Pacific communities who have a variety of skills that are useful and

necessary during states of emergency.

Industry

Niue employed population aged 15 years and over


Manufacturing 14.2

Retail trade 10.9




Construction 7.3


Wholesale trade 6.0




Other services 3.5







Mining 0.1

Total People 100.0


During states of emergency, many Niue in NZ and Australia have been

confused, perturbed and angry at the non-response “in the system” which

has not readily accessed information for families who desperately need

to hear about their families‟ security, if not from their families directly.

Niue in New Zealand and Australia have experienced a few states of

emergency in our homeland of Niue. Each time, there were many skilled

and unskilled volunteers who wanted to return home to assist in the

aftermath. Each time, their offer of help was declined.

Given that the majority of Niue people reside in New Zealand, it has also

necessitated the development of many groups – village-based,

magafaoa/family, religious/spiritual, sports, educational, performing arts,

community, cultural, health and others. Niue people are prepared and

willing to help in emergencies; however, they are not prepared with the

expert skills required in a disaster. Niue people are willing to collaborate

and ensure they are in a state of preparedness for any future disasters

wreaked on their home island.

Niue communities indicate that clear coordinating mechanisms are

supported to: [a] develop Niue volunteers; [b] act as an intermediary

body; [c] coordinate all Niue community responses; [d] maintain critical

communications with home island people; [e] maintain order and

generate calm; [f] field questions, and in Vagahau Niue/Niue Language;

[g] advise and offer counsel where requested; and [h] other as discussed

and idenfied.

Suggestions for an equitable way forward

That Niue peoples in New Zealand and Australia are invited to

a fono with the Ministers and sponsoring agency[ies] to discuss

all issues pertinent to states of emergency affecting Niue.

That there is dedicated and systematic institutional

coordination and leadership for Niue and Pacific humanitarian

action and responses in New Zealand and Australia.

That there is integration of Niue and Pacific people in New

Zealand and Australia in the regional development and

implementation of normative, policy and procedures in

humanitarian action and responses.

That Pacific youth are nurtured, mentored and coached to

assume responsibilities during emergencies in the Pacific

Region.

Lead Pacific coordinators should develop agreements with a

number of stand-by capacity rosters (eg, Red Cross) to provide

flexible expertise to complement existing capacity, on an as

needed basis.

33 Dept of Immigration and Border Protection. 2014. The People of Australia. Statistics from the 2011 Census. Australia: Commonwealth of Australia. 34 Census 2013. 2013. Wellington: Statistics New Zealand.

11 | P a c i f i c

Niue Museum: Impact of Cyclone Heta, Niue, 2004

Courtesy of Mark Cross, tulou

Niue‟s K-Mart: Impact of Cyclone Heta, Niue, 2004

Courtesy of Mark Cross, tulou

12 | P a c i f i c

Key Viewpoint: Cook Islands

According to the Australian Census 201135, there were 16,193 Cook

Islands people living all over Australia, with the majority residing in

Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.

In 2013,36 the Cook Islands-NZ population was 61,839; most (60

percent) resided in Auckland. Of the total community, 62

percent (23,304 people) were in the labour force; and most in the

workforce were most likely to be aged 30-64.

In terms of labour force status, 39 percent of Cook Islands were in full-

time employ, 11 percent were in part-time employ; and 12 percent were

unemployed. 62 percent of the unemployed were aged 15-29 years.

Most Cook Islands were: labourers (21 percent or 3,645 people),

professionals (12 percent) and clerical and administrative workers (12

percent). Cook Islands men were most likely to be employed as labourers

(25 percent), while women were most likely to be employed as clerical

and administrative workers (19 percent).

The most common industries worked in were: manufacturing (17

percent), retail trade (9 percent) and health care and social assistance (8

percent). Men were most likely to work in the manufacturing industry

(23 percent) and women were most likely to work in the health care and

social assistance industry (14 percent).

The point of this is to indicate that there are skilled volunteers in the NZ

and Australian Cook Islands communities who have a variety of skills

that are useful and necessary during states of emergency.

Industry

Tongan employed population aged 15 years and over


Manufacturing 17.4

Retail trade 8.9


Construction 7.9





Wholesale trade 5.1



Other services 3.7







Mining 0.1

Total People 100.0


There are 11 island groups in the Cooks, each with their own respective

dialectual differences, Ariki, tribal unique strengths and ways of doing

things. Many of our people work hard at maintaining those unique

qualities in our adopted second motu, Niu Tireni. For many of our young

people, it is the only motu they know.

Many of us lived through the shocking year of 2005, from 6 February to

6 March, when our Cook Islands was hit by no less than five tropical

cyclones. First we had Cyclone Meena, followed by Cyclone Nancy,

then Cyclone Percy, Cyclone Olaf and then finally Cyclone Rae. We

were grateful to the many people who helped us, and here I will mention

the great assistance of the European Commission, the Pacific Island

Forum through the Regional Natural Disaster Relief Fund, Australia,

New Zealand‟s aid and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. So just to

reinforce and make it clear, we want a real collaboration with all

humanitarian agencies. We want to work side by side, but we are one of

the best groups that have not been well empowered to help our own

people. We propose that in future, we have to work side by side, we want

to be part of the humanitarian approach during and after disaster

management of the Cook Islands.

Cook Islands people have more than 500 community groups on the

ground in New Zealand. We have shown that we have some very skilled

group of volunteers who want to make a difference. We know how to

organise ourselves, we just need acknowledgement and support to be the

best at organising ourselves to help out our home islands during times of

disaster.

Suggestions for going forward

That Cook Islands people in New Zealand and Australia are

invited to fono with the Ministers and sponsoring agency[ies]

concerned to discuss all issues pertinent to states of emergency

affecting the Cook Islands.

That the only New Zealand-based training course offered by

Pacific trainers at Massey University is resourced, supported

and provided in other cities where Pacific communities are

concentrated.

That leading ethnic-specific Pacific organisations are identified

to assume coordination and communications for NZ-based and

Australian-based Pacific communities during disasters.

That responsible agencies ring-fence targeted resources for the

future development of Pacific lead organisations to best

contribute to future agencies.

35

Dept of Immigration and Border Protection. 2014. The People of Australia. Statistics from the 2011 Census. Australia: Commonwealth of Australia. 36

Census 2013. 2013. Wellington: Statistics New Zealand.

13 | P a c i f i c

„Trader Jacks‟: Impact of Cyclone Percy, Cook Islands, 2005 * Pic courtesy of Sadraka 200537

Cyclone Meena was dangereous because it broke my grandma‟s plants, I felt sad because they died…Tiahuia Pittman, Year 3, Te Uki Ou School

First published in Cook Islands News38

37 Retrieved from http://www.cookislands.org.uk/3cyclones1.html 38 Retrieved from http://www.cookislands.org.uk/3cyclones.html

http://www.cookislands.org.uk/3cyclones1.html

14 | P a c i f i c

Key Viewpoint: Samoa

The Pacific Women's Indigenous Network is uniquely

situated to connect the communities of Pacific peoples

across the diaspora from the heart of the Pacific to

surrounding metro countries. Having connected with

leading front-line professional Pacific island women and

men, PacificWIN is one of a few organizations with the

capacity to support NGOs within the Pacific jurisdictions of

Niue, Tokelau, the Cook Islands, American Samoa, Samoa

and to connect island peoples of each jurisdiction with their

communities in New Zealand, Australia, Guam, Hawaii and

the other communities of the United States. We can bring

many internationally recognized leaders and organisations

together in an effort to identify and rescue children within

disaster areas. As, we are an organization focused on

building relationships that support women, we have the

capacity to be proactive in outreach to those most

vulnerable in disaster, often women and children.

In the Samoan archipelago, we can work with known and identified leaders and organisations to build cloud storage for Samoan individuals. Most families, in addition to the horrific loss of life, lose identity papers, contractual materials, and family heirlooms. We have committed partners in the Samoan archipelago who are committed to be supported to build the capacity to store important data. We would work with these kinds of groups to build access and routinize this practice across the island nations of the Pacific. Despite limited computing for many island communities, we can build the networks that will allow families to proactively prepare for the effects of disaster[s].

We also intend to be resourced to work with local partners to identify their familial and ethnic communities outside of their islands. In the event of a disaster, we will offer crowd sourcing and focus fundraising efforts based on the geo-mapping of communities (for example, the Marshall Islands has a large population in Hawai‟i, Guam and Arkansas). We are keen and ready to be included in the process of dialogue towards the inclusion of Pacific peoples.

Tsunami, American Samoa, 200939

Photo: FEMA Photo Library

39 Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FEMA_-_42038_-_Tsunami_damage_in_American_Samoa.jpg

15 | P a c i f i c

An Honour for Lalomanu and Samoa: Ben Taufua is

getting the Order of Merit for his services to education40

Ben Taufua, of Lalomanu, is among nine New Zealanders

with links to the Pacific who have received awards in New

Zealand‟s New Year's Honours. Mr. Taufua‟s services in

education have been recognised with an Order of Merit

honour. He is the Senior Manager Pasifika at Massey

University. With the help of Mr. Taufua, Massey

University has special scholarships for Pasifika people to

train in disaster management.

The programme offers an annual scholarship worth $5,000

to a Pasifika student undertaking graduate or postgraduate

study in disaster management, and four reserved places at

the centre's Emergency Management Summer Institute

held annually in March. Two of the places are reserved for

Pasifika students living in a Pacific nation, and the other

two for Pasifika people living in New Zealand.

Mr. Taufua lost more than 10 relatives during the 2009

tsunami, which killed 180 in Samoa and Tonga following

an 8.1 magnitude quake. From his experience, Mr Taufua

wants to see Pacific communities better informed and

equipped to manage disaster planning and relief, rather

than relying on outside agencies for aid and believes the

scholarship will be pivotal in preventing future loss of life

and property.

The initial response from our experience was that we

took upon ourselves the task fo looking after our family

because there seemed to be no managed support” he said

at the time.

It would be great if there were better, more

comprehensive emergency planning. We are prepared for

cyclones and small quakes but tsunamis happen so rarely.

When the wave subsided we were left with total total

devastation and we didn‟t know how to deal with it. With

cyclones, there is a season and it‟s predictable.

Mr Taufua hopes the scholarships will enable Pasifika

peoples to identify gaps and develop knowledge and

expertise so they can prepare for and manage disasters in

a way that reflects their societies‟ communal social

structure, values and lifestyles.

Against the backdrop of my experiences, this scholarship

is so personal to me and my family, and to everyone who

lost a loved one in the tsunamis in Samoa and Tonga.

40 Retrieved from the Samoa Observer http://www.samoaobserver.ws/

16 | P a c i f i c

„Town after town, resort after resort, is just completely falttened‟

Pic Thanks, Torsten Blackwood AFP41

Impact of Tsunami, Samoa, 200942

Pic fa‟afetai lava, John Selkirk

41

Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-10-01/town-after-town-resort-after-resort-is-just/1087456 42 Retrieved from http://www.stuff.co.nz/lightbox/world/photos/2917604/

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-10-01/town-after-town-resort-after-resort-is-just/1087456

17 | P a c i f i c

“KAUTAHA” STRATEGY

This collated talanoa43 recommends that Pacific communities residing in metropolitan countries, Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia (even USA and France who have a foothold in the Pacific Region) be formally equated into the Humanitarian service provision for Pacific countries in the Pacific Region. Of all inhabitants, it is we Pacific Islanders who are greatly invested in our countries of birth and identification.

We are eternally indebted to all humanitarian efforts before this time. We commend and thank all global organisations and professionals who have helped us to “save ourselves” (meaning our homes, our lands, our families, our motu44) in previous crises; however, we also perceive we are part of the solution. The challenge is not whether this is acceptable; it is but a question of when and how.

We urge that we Pacific people residing in metropolitan motu need to tailor and develop our own Humanitarian Strategies from our respective perspectives and positions; and/or preferably, we can work and dialogue with our respective host agencies to ensure that our contributions, professional and/or other, is inserted/written into our countries‟ Humanitarian Strategies.

Respectfully, we acknowledge our respective countries will fare well as they negotiate their own terms of engagement with international humanitarian organisations, but we posit, we can no longer sit by and continue to be marginal when it concerns our islands of birth and identity.

A “Kautaha” Strategy will allow key Pacific peoples, in New Zealand and Australia, to speak together to find synergies in what we can practically and realistically have to offer humanitarian efforts. It will allow us to talanoa towards a positive strategic direction, together.

Our children and their children‟s children should not perceive their respective motu as “that island out there”, “those islands out there” rightfully belong to them, it is part of their legacy. And that is the underlying agenda of our talanoa. It is in effect, “reaching out, back and with” to our indigenous, cultural, ethnic and geographical heart. This INNOVATION will allow us an additional passport back to our roots.

We still need non-Māori and non-Pacific organisations and agencies, but “Kautaha” is a plea towards working together, collaborating and cooperating to assist in future humanitarian services. As sure as there is climate change in future, then it is just as certain, there will be other humanitarian needs.

Key Pacific stakeholders need to hui and fono, talanoa and produce a “Kautaha Strategy” to strengthen our skills base, so we can help to strengthen in future humanitarian causes in the Pacific. Our strong base of potential skills in this field has not been invited in a significant way to contribute in a significant way to our significant other, our homelands. Kia ora fakaaue lahi atu malo aupito kia meitaki maata fa‟afetai tele lava thanks for the invitation, WHS… “Kautaha”

43 dialogue 44 Islands/Countries/Nations

18 | P a c i f i c

SUMMARY OF “KAUTAHA”

“Kautaha” is simply a collection of thinking by a group

who have put this talanoa together for the

consideration of the “Innovation” Panel for the WHS

Pacific Region. It is also collated because we did not

want to be missing/omitted/left out of the regional

discussion. The civil society and private sectors of

indigenous Māori and Pacific residing in New

Zealand, Australia and USA perceive that we have

been left out of the humanitarian dialogue. We affirm

that we are an important part of the debate.

We number half a million or so peoples in the Pacific

metropolitan countries and that is a huge potential

group of professionally skilled individuals who could

be extremely important in any humanitarian call-out.

It should not be problematic to coordinate our Pacific

leaders to dialogue with decision-makers about our

collective whakaaro.45

We await the decision of the WHS Pacific Regional group, but we are ready for a korero.46 We have been ready for a while. And that is the main thrust of our innovative proposal, this “Kautaha”.

The inclusion of Māori and Pacific peoples is imminent. It is timely for us to be part of the humanitarian solutions where our Pacific families in the region and in our respective Homelands are concerned.

We look forward to and anticipate integrated policies and actions that ensure we are all included in inclusive policies. We look forward to group mobilisation that provides much more proactive and innovative effectiveness that will secure our future generation and further protected our Homelands…”Kautaha”

Impact of Tsunami, Samoa, 200947

45 Whakaaro for thinking 46 Korero for a summit 47

Retrieved from http://www.samoaobserver.ws/ Pic Phil Walter/Getty Images

http://www.samoaobserver.ws/

19 | P a c i f i c

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Maruru nui to you who made a suggestion and gave a thought for our speedy talanoa…

Aroa… “Kautaha”

Prof Malakai Koloamatangi; Fuimaono Ben Taufua; Suzanna Tiapula; Frances Topa-Fariu; Deborah Misiuepa; Hone Popata; Pefi Kingi

MĀORI & PACIFIC: NEW ZEALAND & AUSTRALIA & USA

Takitaki Mrs Rosie Blake

Takitaki Tutagaloa Tutose Tuhipa MNZM

Takitaki Afamasaga Agnes Rasmussen

Tanealaepa Pepe Tanuvasa

Mark Cross

Fuatai Williams

Maria Aka

Dan Keukeu

Kia ora atu to Dr Simon Lambert

Takitaki Mele Nemaia

TAMM Kingi-Falakoa

Anne Kingi-Laga‟aia

Leota Alice Meredith

Jaroz Popata

Makareti Adams

Tony Manu

Vehe Togiatama

Vinaka vaka levu to Emele Duituturaga-Jale

Pago Pago, 200948 Pago Pago 200949

48 Retrieved from http://eqclearinghouse.org/co/20090929-samoa/ 49 Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

20 | P a c i f i c

“I came to realize that this power and horror was fossilized in the remnants of the buildings

and the hearts of the people whose lives were so cruelly affected by the storm”

Courtesy of Mark Cross (2004) „We Will Survive‟

“Kautaha” Coordinated Collaborative Communities: Including Isolated Islanders

Documents