Ardern visits her ‘second home’ Niue
You can’t be a Prime Minister all the time. As Jacinda Ardern arrived to her ‘‘second home’’ of Niue yesterday morning she came just as much as a daughter, a sister, and an aunt.
The full family reunion began before she had even got off the plane. Her father Ross, who has been the High Commissioner to this tiny island since 2014 and police commissioner for years before that, came up the narrow stairs to greet her.
She then walked down the stairs, past the media, and right into the arms of her sister Louise, mother Laurell, and niece.
This is the first time that so many of the family has been together since Ardern became Prime Minister, and the joy was evident.
Before a proper catch-up could begin though, the formalities had to be observed.
Ardern was challenged by a set of Niuean dancers, and asked why she had come. She responded, in perfect Niuean, that she came in peace. If she had more of the language she would have liked to add ‘‘but also in joy’’.
Minister Tamakau Tota Vivian welcomed the delegation, on its second day of the five-day Pacific Mission.
‘‘They call you the daughter of Niue because your parents stay here. We are looking forward to something better,’’ he said.
Niue Premier Toke Talagi’s address was somewhat more serious: he almost immediately began talking about the money Niue is looking for from New Zealand.
New Zealand was gifted the tiny British colony at the turn of the 20th century, and since independence has taken care of most of their diplomatic and defence, sending tens of millions in cash, and granting all Niuean citizens New Zealand citizenship.
As a result around 24,000 Niueans live in New Zealand, compared to just under 2000 on the island. It makes up around four per cent of our total aid budget.
‘‘In the future I expect us to generate sufficient funds that we can look after ourselves, as much as we can, so we can stop having to ask New Zealand for help with operational budgets,’’ Toke said.
Ardern announced yesterday that New Zealand will give Niue $5 million in funding to help the island nation get four-fifths of its power from renewable sources by 2025. It will also contribute $750,000 towards improving roads and water infrastructure. A project was already under way that aimed to get Niue to using 80 per cent renewable energy by 2025.