Page 21 - Islands Business May-June 2022

Niue Launches New Legal Protection Over

100% of Its Ocean Space

Speech by Honourable Dalton Tagelagi, Premier of Niue
Niue High School Cultural Day –13th April 2022

Niue’s Minister for Natural Resources, Hon. Mona Ainuu

Fakaue kehe lilifu he Atua

Niue koe motu Ofania, Niue koe motu ofania

Niue koe Toa, Niue koe Toa

Kia fe fakaalofa aki a tautolu kehe moana puke lahi

Kia Monuina a Niue Nukutuluea Kitukituea

Niue’s Premier, Hon. Dalton Tagelagi Photo: BCN
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, may I thank you all, international efforts towards supporting the stability of our
the principal, teachers and the students of the Niue High School planet and oceans into the future. This is highly important
for including this special milestone of an announcement in your right now as the impacts of climate change, pollution and over-
program here this morning. We all highly value and support our harvesting are having very real impacts on every corner of the
Taoga and Cultural Heritage of Niue in respect of our Ocean globe.
Space, consistent with the cultural theme you have here today. an innovative sustainable financing mechanism through you to equip yourselves to be ambassadors and drivers of
• These impacts are already visible here in Niue as you all know. the establishment of a Trust that will help us maintain our this work and the benefits that arise from it. Learn about our
• As you should all know by now, Niue is considered a global We have already lost more than 50% of our coral reefs, we commitments in perpetuity. ocean, its resources and how it has underpinned our culture,
leader in Ocean Conservation and sustainable development. catch less than we have in the past, and while you may be too traditional knowledge, and ingenuity of how we can build a
young to recall the impacts of devastating cyclones, let me • We are building a sustainable and independent economy future around its sustainable management and protection.
• We became recognised worldwide for this important standing assure you, that we are still recovering from the impacts of that is supportive of ocean health, wealth and environmental
when we announced to the world in Malta 2017, Niue’s Cyclone Heta 18 years ago – which erased off the face of the integrity. Whilst tourism has been on pause while COVID has • In this vein, together with a representative of our partner in
commitment to establishing 40% of our Ocean waters as a earth our only hospital, only hotel, only museum, our bulk been around, we are confident that it will resume when it is this work, the President of Tofia Niue Coral Pasisi, it is our
large-scale marine protected area – which is now called “Niue fuel depot and damaged our wharf and many other important safe to travel again, and the tourism spending will be enhanced pleasure to present this cheque to the school children of Niue
Moana Mahu”. government infrastructures, churches and family homes. And by these ocean conservation commitments. High School and Niue Primary School. This grant is to support
most importantly, it cost two precious and irreplaceable lives. your ocean and conservation learning, efforts and passion.
• Niue Moana Mahu was legally established in 2020 and is • Let me also acknowledge, that this work to date has been
127,000 square kilometres of the surface of our planet and • So, today I want you to know, that these commitments are possible through the combined efforts of the Government of • You are the future ocean and sustainable development
500 times the size of Niue’s landmass. made in support of your future. As the future of our nation, Niue, through a public-private partnership with Tofia Niue warriors of Niue, and if you approach this role with the same
wherever you end up in your lives and careers, you should be – called the NOW Project, and supported by a range of local excellence shown through your performances today, I am
• Today, it is my great honour to announce an even greater proud to be a leader of global planetary health and security. I and international partners including Ridge to Reef, Oceans 5, confident we have a bright and prosperous future ahead of us
commitment to this work – the legal establishment of Niue’s welcome your contributions to these efforts, that we today are National Geographic Pristine Seas, GLISPA and the Blue Nature all – and one that is based on the continued respect of Niuean
entire ocean space as the Niue Nukutuluea Multiple-Use setting up for your future. Alliance. More importantly, the public and children of Niue people for our environment and ocean.
Marine Park – at 317,500 square kilometres – that’s well over have all been consulted and contributed in one way, shape or
1200 times the size of Niue. • These commitments to ocean conservation underpin Niue’s form over the last 6 years of this work. Kia Monuina. God bless us all and God bless Niue and the Oceans.
economic, social, environmental and cultural aspirations as • Our future of Niue, as you forge in moving forward, we want
outlined in our National Strategic Plan, and we are developing
• This is a globally significant contribution from Niue to the
Islands Business, May-June 2022 21