Constitution Day Celebrations

Mana (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 9, 27 October 1977, Page 3

Constitution Day Celebrations

This year's celebrations of Aho Pule Fakamotu in Niue last week had an extra special flavour in that the New Zealand Prime Minister. Mr Muldoon, joined the people to celebrate their 3rd Anniver-

sary . For more than 70 years Niue used to observe the Monday nearest to 19 October each year as "Aho Fuli Matini' (otherwise officially termed Annexation Day). The origin of the event goes back to 19 October 1901 when Niue was officially proclaimed New Zealand territory. 'Aho Futi Matini' was celebrated as such for the last time in 1973 for with Niue's accession to selfgovernment in 1974. 19 October is now' celebrated with nationalistic fervour as ‘Aho Pule Fakamotu" (Constitution Day). After the attainment of internal self-government. Niue decided that although it would treat Aho Fule Fakamotu as an important festive occasion each year, special celebrations will take place only once every five years i.e. major celebrations probably involving important overseas guests will occur on the sth l()th. 15th. etc. anniversary. Every other year will be largely a local affair with concentration on sports and cultural activities. Last year, for the first time, an international golf tournament was held during Constitution weekend with players from the tw'o neighbouring Samoas participating. The tournament, convened and organised by the Niue Sports Club was played over the country's 9 hole course (the one and only) and was open to all comers, w'ho were in Niue during the Constitution Weekend. The Government has now offered a trophy — aptly titled ‘The Constitution Day Challenge Trophy' to be played for between a team selected from local golfers

and a team selected from and by visiting players. Another major sporting event that took place was athletic where again the Government had donated three handsome trophies for the best male and female Constitution Day athletes and one for the best Club team.

Other activities held included a combined agricultural handicraft gala show where prizes were aw arded for winning produce and handicraft items. A fishing competition was also associated w'ilh this shows When on 19 October 1974 Niue and New- Zealand terminated their colonial relationship of more than 70 years standing, they did so demonstratively in the spirit of goOd-w'ill and immense friendliness. Niue gave New Zealand as a parting gift what was then the official Government residence al Tapeu Hill along with nearly 10 acres of grounds. In return. New' Zealand, having noted the absence of a decent building for the Niue Legislative Assembly, offered to provide for and to build a Fale Fono (Meeting House) as a gift from the people of New Zealand to the people of Niue. Plans for the building were completed earlier this year and work commenced in July. Mr Muldoon has had. since becoming Prime Minister, a standing invitation from Niue for an official visit and the celebration of Aho Pule Fakamotu last week presented him with the opportunity. Whilst in Niue, the Prime Minister held discussions w'ith the country's Premier. Mr Robert Rex and his Cabinet colleagues and also obtained on-the-spot information of the various developmental activities being promoted since self-government. The Prime Minister also unveiled a plaque commemorating New' Zealand's gift of the Assembly Fale Fono which is under construction. The building is scheduled to be completed by the end of July next year when it w ill then be used as the venue for the next meeting of the South Pacific Forum. The Hon. and Mrs Rata also visited Niue as representative of the Opposition. What has happened since home rule w'as achieved three years ago is a question probably foremost in the minds of most Niueans, and perhaps others, living here in New Zealand. According to Premier Robert Rex . . . “We didn't go into self-government expecting to achieve any startling material progress or changes right away. We had looked forward to some progress and this we have done. During the past three years, my Government has concentrated its efforts in consolidating development initiated under New Zealand's rule. and in shaping Niue's direction for the future. This planning is now' w'ell in hand, and the most significant element of which is now the aim of achiving steady progress towards economic self-

reliance. In pursuing this goal. Niue has now established very firmly the belief that the things we do and how we approach them must be relevant to Niue’s circumstances and in

conformity with the people's aspirations."

Ofthe more visible signs of progress made in the last three years, the provision of electric power to every home is now well in hand. Of the fourteen villages, only two — Lakepa and Liku — arc still to be connected. However, this will probably be completed before the end of the next six months. Work on electric power to the villages started in mid-1975. Agricultural development, largely concentrated on lime and passionfruit production and cattle, has been the other more apparent progress. The Niue Government has declared that future development will be agricultural oriented. At present approximately 50 acres of passionfruit and another 50 of limes are .under production and bringing fairly handsome returns to growers. In addition 100 acres of passionfruit alone will have been developed by December next. It is intended that over the next five to 19 years the aim will be to plant up to 5000 acres of land under limes and passionfruit. A development effort of this order is an enormous task, probably, the largest Niue will ever have undertaken to date. But if it can be achieved, and the chances arc good that it can. the aim of achieving economic self-eliancc should substantially be met. Other aspects of development such as primary and secondary education as well as manpower skilled training are well oriented towards this major goal of self-reliance. The underlying them motivating the achievement of economic self-reliance is Ntie's desire to promote a material standard of life which can compare with that obtaining here in New Zealand whilst preserving Niue's own life-style quality. Aside from these, the first three years of selfgovernment have been moderately progressive and relatively plain sailing. Mana and the Niuean community here in Auckland takes this opportunity to congratulate the Government of Niue and its people for the progress they have achieved since their country attained home rule in 1974.