Below: some boxes of kitchenware ( four times this many boxes have already gone to storage, pending shipping).....
Tuesday 15 April 2014
pots'n'pans galore
As well as gathering tools and building hardware I have been busy sourcing and accepting donations from all quarters of kitchenware - pots'n'pans, knives, plastic plates, etc.....
Below: some boxes of kitchenware ( four times this many boxes have already gone to storage, pending shipping).....
Many thanks to donors at the Browns Bay market as well as local charity stores.
Below: some boxes of kitchenware ( four times this many boxes have already gone to storage, pending shipping).....
building boxes
Yours truely at work in the Men's Shed North Shore building boxes from old drawers to pack saws, axes, and other tools in to send to Niua - and other islands as the need arises.
niua infrastructure still devastated
From what I can gather much of the crucial infrastructure on Niua is still not yet rebuilt - the medical clinic (which had just been refurbished & stocked with equipment paid for by Niua expatriates before the tsunami) is reduced to a small room at the high school...the police station was also wiped out and is similarly located at the high school, and other community services have been badly affected and disrupted.
Initial assitance came from the Red Cross, the World Bank, and the NZ Navy via HMNZ Canterbury:
"HMNZS CANTERBURY has been a hive of activity transferring over 200 personnel each day to Niuatoputapu for Pacific Partnership 2011. Amphibious operations begin every morning at 0600 with embarked forces and vehicles on CANTERBURY being transferred ashore via LCM, RHIB, and PUMA helo."
see more at:
www.flickr.com/photos/nzdefenceforce/sets/72157626493491372/
http://go.worldbank.org/5LMM725ME0
Demetrios Papathanasiou Senior Infrastructure Specialist d
papathanasiou@worldbank.org
"Niuatoputapu is one of the two inhabited islands in Tonga’s Niua group, located in the northern-most part of Tonga. The total population of about 1,100 lives in four villages, Hihifo, Vaipoa, Falehau and Tafahi Island. The island is remote and relatively isolated from the rest of Tonga. It is estimated that income levels in Niuatoputapu are among the lowest in Tonga. On September 30 2009, the Niua islands were struck by an earthquake of 8.3 magnitude whose epicentre was 190km to the north east. This was quickly followed by three tsunami waves with a maximum flow height of 16.9 metres and penetration of over 1km inland. As much as 46 percent of the island was inundated resulting in the deaths of nine people and damages estimated at about US$10 million. Of a total of about 255 private houses on the island, 85 were totally destroyed and 56 partially damaged by the tsunami. Most of the public utilities and government buildings were completely destroyed, along with the water and sanitation system. Earthquakes and earthquake-incurred tsunamis remain potential threats in the coming years."
Initial assitance came from the Red Cross, the World Bank, and the NZ Navy via HMNZ Canterbury:
"HMNZS CANTERBURY has been a hive of activity transferring over 200 personnel each day to Niuatoputapu for Pacific Partnership 2011. Amphibious operations begin every morning at 0600 with embarked forces and vehicles on CANTERBURY being transferred ashore via LCM, RHIB, and PUMA helo."
see more at:
www.flickr.com/photos/nzdefenceforce/sets/72157626493491372/
http://go.worldbank.org/5LMM725ME0
Demetrios Papathanasiou Senior Infrastructure Specialist d
papathanasiou@worldbank.org
"Niuatoputapu is one of the two inhabited islands in Tonga’s Niua group, located in the northern-most part of Tonga. The total population of about 1,100 lives in four villages, Hihifo, Vaipoa, Falehau and Tafahi Island. The island is remote and relatively isolated from the rest of Tonga. It is estimated that income levels in Niuatoputapu are among the lowest in Tonga. On September 30 2009, the Niua islands were struck by an earthquake of 8.3 magnitude whose epicentre was 190km to the north east. This was quickly followed by three tsunami waves with a maximum flow height of 16.9 metres and penetration of over 1km inland. As much as 46 percent of the island was inundated resulting in the deaths of nine people and damages estimated at about US$10 million. Of a total of about 255 private houses on the island, 85 were totally destroyed and 56 partially damaged by the tsunami. Most of the public utilities and government buildings were completely destroyed, along with the water and sanitation system. Earthquakes and earthquake-incurred tsunamis remain potential threats in the coming years."
thanks to our donors
I would like to thank all those who have donated goods and time repairing tools for this current Niuatoputapu Project.
Many individuals are involved on an on-going basis. Thanks to: Len, Geoff, Royce, Roger, Gavin, Eric, Gwynn, and others at the Mens Shed North Shore
www.mensshednorthshore.org.nz
As well as my neighbours Gina, John McK, the Holts, and Trisha.
In addition local businesses and charities continue to donate their trash which is our treasure: Bunnings, SPCA, Hospice, and the Red Cross.
Many individuals are involved on an on-going basis. Thanks to: Len, Geoff, Royce, Roger, Gavin, Eric, Gwynn, and others at the Mens Shed North Shore
www.mensshednorthshore.org.nz
As well as my neighbours Gina, John McK, the Holts, and Trisha.
In addition local businesses and charities continue to donate their trash which is our treasure: Bunnings, SPCA, Hospice, and the Red Cross.
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| trisha sorts some donations |
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| a box of nails & tools from a charity shop |
Friday 11 April 2014
a word from the PM
Last Monday, New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, was interviewed on Radio National re our response to the disaster in the Solomon Islands - Mr Key made the point that it is not so much the speed or size of the initial aid given by the NZ government on behalf of the people of NZ in response to events of this nature, but rather: "what is even more important is that assistance continues for days, weeks, months, and even years"
- thank you, PM.
The tsunami which impacted Niua hit in 2009. Today (2014) the island, its infrastructure, and its people are still a long way from rebuilding and recovery.
This is why I am continuing with my Niua Project - there is an awful lot which needs and can be done to assist the Niuans to help themselves.
I find that I am not doing this on my own...people are coming out of the woodwork to help, facilitate and assist with donations, labour, encouragement, laughter and friendship - my thanks to you all...let the adventure roll on.....
- thank you, PM.
This is why I am continuing with my Niua Project - there is an awful lot which needs and can be done to assist the Niuans to help themselves.
I find that I am not doing this on my own...people are coming out of the woodwork to help, facilitate and assist with donations, labour, encouragement, laughter and friendship - my thanks to you all...let the adventure roll on.....
Thursday 10 April 2014
wikipedia "niuatoputapu"
Here is the wikipedia entry for "Niuatoputapu", with a couple of my own amendments:
"Geography:
The central top of Niuatoputapu, just beside Vaipoa, is a hill of only 157 meters in height. It is the eroded remnant of a large volcano, which erupted about 3 million years ago. The island is almost entirely surrounded by a large reef, uplifted and largely covered with volcanic ash, which has yielded it a fertile soil.
Niuatoputapu consists primarily of three villages: Hihifo (meaning 'west' in Tongan), Vaipoa ("fishy smell") and Falehau ("house of wind"?). Hihifo is the largest village, and, as its name suggests, lies in the west of the island. It contains the majority of the govemmental faciliies of the island, including the post office, telecommunications, police station and a high school (there are primary schools in all 3 villages). Vaipoa lies in the middle of the island. Falehau, which is east of Vaipoa, fronts on the island's only harbor, on the northeast coast.
History:
The traditional line of lords of the island is the Ma'atu dynasty. According to the legends, an early member of them became the fish god Seketo'a.
Niuatoputapu was put on the European maps by Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire during their famous circumnavigation of the globe in their ship the Eendracht (Unity) in 1616. Alter successful bartering with the inhabitants of Tafahi, but not finding a suitable anchorage there, they preceeded to its neighbour. There their reception was less peaceful. Natives boarded their ship and attacked the Dutch with clubs, until they found out what muskets were and could do. After that an uneasy truce existed, enabling the barter of more coconuts, ubes roots (probably ‘uii (yam)), hogs and water. A 'king' of the island came along, but not on board. 'He was equally naked with all the rest", only distinguishable by the respect the islanders paid to him.
The next day the Dutch felt that something was in the air, and indeed when the king came again along he suddenly ordered his people into an attack. There were about 700 to B00 of them in 23 double canoes and 45 single canoes. But the Dutch fired their muskets and 3 cannons, and the islanders then quickly made themselves scarce. Schouten and LeMaire continued their
westwards trip, leaving Verraders (Traitors) island behind.
"Geography:
The central top of Niuatoputapu, just beside Vaipoa, is a hill of only 157 meters in height. It is the eroded remnant of a large volcano, which erupted about 3 million years ago. The island is almost entirely surrounded by a large reef, uplifted and largely covered with volcanic ash, which has yielded it a fertile soil.
Niuatoputapu consists primarily of three villages: Hihifo (meaning 'west' in Tongan), Vaipoa ("fishy smell") and Falehau ("house of wind"?). Hihifo is the largest village, and, as its name suggests, lies in the west of the island. It contains the majority of the govemmental faciliies of the island, including the post office, telecommunications, police station and a high school (there are primary schools in all 3 villages). Vaipoa lies in the middle of the island. Falehau, which is east of Vaipoa, fronts on the island's only harbor, on the northeast coast.
History:
The traditional line of lords of the island is the Ma'atu dynasty. According to the legends, an early member of them became the fish god Seketo'a.
Niuatoputapu was put on the European maps by Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire during their famous circumnavigation of the globe in their ship the Eendracht (Unity) in 1616. Alter successful bartering with the inhabitants of Tafahi, but not finding a suitable anchorage there, they preceeded to its neighbour. There their reception was less peaceful. Natives boarded their ship and attacked the Dutch with clubs, until they found out what muskets were and could do. After that an uneasy truce existed, enabling the barter of more coconuts, ubes roots (probably ‘uii (yam)), hogs and water. A 'king' of the island came along, but not on board. 'He was equally naked with all the rest", only distinguishable by the respect the islanders paid to him.
The next day the Dutch felt that something was in the air, and indeed when the king came again along he suddenly ordered his people into an attack. There were about 700 to B00 of them in 23 double canoes and 45 single canoes. But the Dutch fired their muskets and 3 cannons, and the islanders then quickly made themselves scarce. Schouten and LeMaire continued their
westwards trip, leaving Verraders (Traitors) island behind.
a look at niua
Here's the island from above (some five miles long)
A closer view of the village of Falehau where I will be staying, note the wharf projecting into the lagoon:
Here's the house where I will be staying:
...and here is Niua's location on the edge of the Australian Plate - right on the subduction zone with the Pacific Plate. = the Tonga Trench.....that chain of dots are volcanoes - looks like mega tectonic activity is par for the course here....
serious hardware
I have boxed-up 8kg of rafter staples - these should help hold someone's roof on
which should prevent this from happening again:
 |
| niua tsunami 2009 |
another day at the shed
Yours truely using the drill press when making a new handle for a cane-knife:
gardening tools ready
A bit of elbow grease, the electric wire brush, the angle-grinder, a round file, some sandpaper and some linseed oil have brought these sickles up a real treat:
another generous donation
One of the charity stores on the North Shore has generously donated some excess goods: 10 pots, 2 bags, a hairdressing set, a shower kit, a grater, a sieve, a coffee pot, a set of watercolours, a bowl, and five pairs of shoes:
stage #2 - boxes filled with materials
 |
| 18 boxes so far |
team work
Someone kindly gave me an old axe at the weekend. I took it into the Shed & the boys cleaned it up and sharpened it....many thanks guys:
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| dave sanded the handle |
 |
| geoff sharpened it |
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| a clean shave! |
found steel
Eric donated 40x8foot lengths of 1 1/2 in square steel box-section for the Islands - enough to build a frame for a whole house!
It's now stored in my lounge....
It's now stored in my lounge....
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| eric with his find |
 |
| it went in the van ok |
Wednesday 2 April 2014
tools/nails/screws for niua
Currently I am gathering hand tools, nails, screws and other construction hardware to send to Niuatoputapu. The isolation of the island means that supplies of any sort are difficult and expensive to obtain.
The Men's Shed North Shore ( www.mensshednorthshore.org.nz ) is assisting me to collect these materials, and I am extremely grateful for the support of the Shed and it's members. I am also honoured to be obtaining donations from the public as well as local businesses and charity stores here on the North Shore - thanks to you all.
The plan is to send the goods by private yachts when they leave NZ in May/June/July after the hurricane season. As before, the yachties will deliver the boxes to Kieni's family in Niua, and the cargo will be personally distributed to those need.
Currently I have over 100kg of nails & screws boxed-up, as well as 30 hammers; 20 saws; 60 screwdrivers; 2 socket sets; various files, pliers, gardening tools, planes, nail plates, metal strapping, clothing, books, pots'n'pans, knives......and a whole lot more.....
Donations are welcome - call me on (09)479 1808 and I will collect.......
The Men's Shed North Shore ( www.mensshednorthshore.org.nz ) is assisting me to collect these materials, and I am extremely grateful for the support of the Shed and it's members. I am also honoured to be obtaining donations from the public as well as local businesses and charity stores here on the North Shore - thanks to you all.
The plan is to send the goods by private yachts when they leave NZ in May/June/July after the hurricane season. As before, the yachties will deliver the boxes to Kieni's family in Niua, and the cargo will be personally distributed to those need.
Currently I have over 100kg of nails & screws boxed-up, as well as 30 hammers; 20 saws; 60 screwdrivers; 2 socket sets; various files, pliers, gardening tools, planes, nail plates, metal strapping, clothing, books, pots'n'pans, knives......and a whole lot more.....
Donations are welcome - call me on (09)479 1808 and I will collect.......
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| john mck with donations |
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| 15kg of "scrap" from a hardware bin |
 |
| hammers for niua |
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| knives for niua |
history - niuatoputapu tsnami sos
My second Pacific Neighbours project was in response to the tsunmai of 2009 which not only caused damage and deaths in Samoa, but on the northern Tongan island of Niuatoputapu (Niua). The two villages of Hihifo and Vaipoa were almost completely washed away by the waves along with most of the islanders’ possessions - including cooking pots and tools.
My fellow environmental artist Laurie Santell and I gathered some 40 banana boxes of pots, pans, knives, tools and clothing which were kindly delivered directly to those in need on Niua by two yachts which called in on their way to Samoa in 2010, aided by our friend Keini Tollemache who is from Niua.
My fellow environmental artist Laurie Santell and I gathered some 40 banana boxes of pots, pans, knives, tools and clothing which were kindly delivered directly to those in need on Niua by two yachts which called in on their way to Samoa in 2010, aided by our friend Keini Tollemache who is from Niua.
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| tsunami damage |
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| devastation |
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| distribution of goods |
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| "atutaki" crew |
See my Niuatoputapu Island blog for more info:
history - bali bombing aid
The first project I organized to assist one of our neighbours in the Pacific was in response to the Bali bombings in 2002, when I called a meeting in Byron Bay in northern NSW, Australia. From this, the group “Byron Loves Bali” was formed with the aim of raising funds and assistance for the Indonesian victims of the Bali bombings.
The group subsequently held two major fundraisers which were auspiced by the Australia-Indonesia Arts Alliance (Nth Coast Branch).
The first event was a concert at the Byron Surf Club on 5th November 2002 which featured local and international musicians and the Gold Coast Balinese Dance Troupe.
The second event was the Shakuntala dance drama performance on 3rd May 2003. This wonderful and very successful event was presented by Kerensa Dewantoro, and the Gamelan Gin Jaya orchestra from Toowoomba.
From the AIAA website: “After 'Shakuntala', the Convenor of the Byron Loves Bali Group, Martin Adlington, said:
"I would like to thank all concerned with our successful concert: sponsors, volunteers, performers and audience. To date we have raised over $12,000 and benefited from the support of over 100 local businesses.
"Our next aim is to promote the message that it is safe to return to Bali and that this is, in fact, the best way of supporting the Balinese”.
In all a total of more than AU$16,000 was raised and used to fund 12 targeted support projects.
See:
http://www.aiaa.org.au/byronlovesbali.html
The bombing left many survivors with serious burn injuries. We sent a
call went out to supply pressure dressings, applicator rings and
appropriate skin care cream to Denpasar Hospital's Melati ward, which
was in critical need.
I very much appreciated the efforts of Byron Loves Bali member Ray King organized the purchase of burn creams and bandages at half price from local businesses such as Thursday Plantation, Sunspirit, Innovation Ballina and SSS Australia. In addition, Qantas staff took great pains to personally deliver the supplies (free of charge) to the Denpasar hospital.
Great care was taken to ensure that all the monies and aid raised went directly to those in need. I continue to extend my gratitude for the success of this project to all who participated, with special thanks to those in Bali who made sure that nothing went astray. For more pix & info see:
http://www.aiaa.org.au/byronlovesbaliprojects.html
The group subsequently held two major fundraisers which were auspiced by the Australia-Indonesia Arts Alliance (Nth Coast Branch).
The first event was a concert at the Byron Surf Club on 5th November 2002 which featured local and international musicians and the Gold Coast Balinese Dance Troupe.
The second event was the Shakuntala dance drama performance on 3rd May 2003. This wonderful and very successful event was presented by Kerensa Dewantoro, and the Gamelan Gin Jaya orchestra from Toowoomba.
From the AIAA website: “After 'Shakuntala', the Convenor of the Byron Loves Bali Group, Martin Adlington, said:
"I would like to thank all concerned with our successful concert: sponsors, volunteers, performers and audience. To date we have raised over $12,000 and benefited from the support of over 100 local businesses.
"Our next aim is to promote the message that it is safe to return to Bali and that this is, in fact, the best way of supporting the Balinese”.
In all a total of more than AU$16,000 was raised and used to fund 12 targeted support projects.
See:
http://www.aiaa.org.au/byronlovesbali.html
I very much appreciated the efforts of Byron Loves Bali member Ray King organized the purchase of burn creams and bandages at half price from local businesses such as Thursday Plantation, Sunspirit, Innovation Ballina and SSS Australia. In addition, Qantas staff took great pains to personally deliver the supplies (free of charge) to the Denpasar hospital.
Great care was taken to ensure that all the monies and aid raised went directly to those in need. I continue to extend my gratitude for the success of this project to all who participated, with special thanks to those in Bali who made sure that nothing went astray. For more pix & info see:
http://www.aiaa.org.au/byronlovesbaliprojects.html
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