Manihiki Strategic Plan..PMD

ManihikiManihikiManihikiManihikiManihikiIsland ProfileIsland ProfileIsland ProfileIsland ProfileIsland Profile

20032003200320032003

ManihikiManihikiManihikiManihikiManihikiIsland ProfileIsland ProfileIsland ProfileIsland ProfileIsland Profile

20032003200320032003

MANIHIKI ISLANDPROJECT and REVIEW TEAM

Charles Carlson Project Coordinator - OMIATeresa Manarangi Trott Consultant - ADBDr. Bruce Knapman Consultant - ADB

Charles Carlson GraphicsCharles Carlson Photography

Acknowledgement:

Solomona Williams Mayor of ManihikiSolomona Toroma Island Secretary for Manihiki

To all the members of the Manihiki Island Council, Te Ui Ariki, Religious Advisory Council and the people of Manihiki

Disclaimer: any representation, statement, opinion or advice expressed or implied in this publication is made in good faith on the basis of the study team andauthors, and are not liable (whether by reason of negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred ormay occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any representation, statement or advice referred to in this report.

Copyright November 2003 Office of the Minister for Island Administration (OMIA)

ContentFOREWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

ISLAND PROFILEBackgroundPhysical and Environmental features . . . . . . . . 5Transport. . . . . . . . . . . . 6Settlements . . . . . . . . . . . 7

AdministrationStructure . . . . . . . . . . . 7Population Trends & Characteristics . . . . . . . . 8

Social ProfileHealth Status . . . . . . . . . . 9Education Status . . . . . . . . . . . 11Welfare . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Employment/Income . . . . . . . . . . 14

Productive ResourcesMarine ResourcesAgriculture . . . . . . . . . . . 15Fisheries . . . . . . . . . . . 16HandicraftsTourism . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

InfrastructureEnergy SupplyWater Supply . . . . . . . . . . 17Private SectorCommunications . . . . . . . . . . . 18

FOREWORDIn October 2002, OMIA carried out a follow-up review of the outer islands strategic plans, introduced as a Five Year

Plan (2000—2005) under the Outer Islands Devolution Program and was sponsored by the United Nations DevelopmentProgramme.

In reviewing the plans, so as to portray a wholistic picture, it is necessary to develop a profile of each of the ten (10)islands. These profiles, once synthesised, should provide OMIA and other ministries sunstantial information that are ofbenefit to the continual developments of the outer islands. The information will also be useful to others (e.g. the privatesector) interested in setting-up small businesses or related enterprises.

OMIA intend to complete this review by the end of this year, so a summary report of priorities be forwarded to nationalgovernment to assist with the annual planning process and in the policy decision making.

I would like to sincerely thank the people of Manihiki for their cooperation in the preparation of this Island Profile. Yourunselfish contributions, I believe, will assist in the further improvement of your infrastructure, economic and social well-being.

Nandi T GlassieChief Executive OfficerOffice of the Minister for Islands Administration.

Manihiki Island Profile page 5

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Maui myth relates the feats of Maui-potiki, a demi-god and the last son ofTongaifare and Makuaifare, who fished up the atoll of Manihiki. Prior to the advent ofChristianity, the island was under the ownership of the people of Rakahanga, whotraveled between Manihiki and Rakahanga regularly. Early records also suggest therewas interaction between these atolls and Rarotonga and some of the Tahitian islands.

The chiefly line of Te Faingaitu is descended from the first high priest of the majorgod Te Puarenga. Fakaheo was the chiefly line dedicated to the god Hikahara thatwas divided and moved to Rakahanga during the missionary period.1

The first European discoverers of Manihiki regarded it as “one of the mostbeautiful specimens of an atoll with the most charming people”2 . Christianity arrivedon the atoll in 1849 when the London Missionary Society stationed two convertedindigenes, Aporo and Tairi, to spread the gospel.

The Manihiki language is a dialect of the Cook Islands maori language, with avocabulary about 20% different from Rarotongan.

Table 1: Physical Statistics

Land Area 5.4 sq kilometersArable soils Class 1 0

Class 2 490 HaReef Circumference 30 kmTransport

Roads Sealed 0Roads Unsealed n.a.Air 2 days per weekAirstrip (length) 1300 metersShipping Monthly, Variable

Distance from Rarotonga 1204 kmDistance from nearest inhabited islands (Rakahanga) 44km

localscleaning thepearl shells

The first European discoverers of Manihikiregarded it as “one of the most beautiful specimensof an atoll with the most charming people”2

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES

Manihiki is a coral atoll located over 1200 kilometers north of Rarotonga, with itsnearest neighbor, Rakahanga, a distance of 44 km away. The total land area of 5.4km² makes Manihiki the second largest island of the northern group, with a highestpoint above sea level of under 4 meters. There is no land suitable for both annual andtree crops (Table 1). The main vegetation is coconut, pandanus, and a few breadfruittrees. Indigenous trees such as ngangie and toa are prevalent on all the islets (motu)along the reef. However, the lagoon area of 4,063 ha. constitutes a crucial marineresource.

Manihiki Island Profilepage 6

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES

Environmental features include extensive seabird nesting on isolated motus, turtlenesting grounds, and stocks of blacklip pearl oyster. The existing and potential impactof black pearl oyster production on lagoon ecology is an important environmentalissue.

Of the uninhabited motus, Porea is significant because it has an enclosed lake inwhich milkfish (ava) are farmed. Sprats from this lake have been sent to restock thelake in Mitiaro.

Temperatures are higher than in the southern Cook Islands, averaging 27-28°Cthroughout the year, with the months of March to June being coolest and the monthsof December to March being the hottest and wettest. Drought can be a very seriousproblem.

SETTLEMENTS

The island has two villages located about 6 km from each other across the lagoon- Tauhunu, which is the bigger village and shares the Island Administration with thesmaller village, Tukao.

The total number of dwellings declined from 149 in 1996 to 118 in 2001, with anaverage size of 4 persons. After cyclone Martin in 1997, NZAID sponsored a housingproject, which was completed in 2001.

The houses are cyclone micro-shelters which have inbuilt underground water tanksand septic systems. The houses in the villages are spread out on family owned plots.Each village has a community Cyclone Management Center with emergency power,water supply and accommodation. These centers also function as community meetingplaces.

TRANSPORT

Small boat passages have been blasted in the reef at each of the two villages,but there is no ship passage into the lagoon and the flats between motu can beshallow. Tauhunu landing allows offloading of workboats that have receivedcargo from inter-island ships berthed outside the reef. The newly-establishedlanding at Tukao allows boat passengers from Rarotonga to disembark.

A 1.1 km airstrip was built in the early 1980s and is used twice weekly bythe domestic airline, Air Rarotonga. The strip currently is being upgraded inorder to accommodate the larger SAAB 340 aircraft in addition to theBandeirante.

One of the hurricaneshelters built aftercyclone Martin

After cyclone Martin in 1997, NZAID sponsored ahousing project, which was completed in 2001.


ADMINISTRATION

Local Government functions on the island are conducted by an Island Councilconsisting of four elected members from Tauhunu (including the Mayor) and twoelected members from Tukao.

The Island Council also has ex-officio members who have no voting rights. Theyinclude Ariki, Aronga Mana, the Member of Parliament, and the GovernmentRepresentative. No woman has been elected to the Council to date.

The Manihiki Administration structure and associated employment are presented inFigure 1. The total number employed by the Island Council in 2003 was 20.

There are also service providers who are directly responsible to the Secretary ofthe respective Ministry on Rarotonga.

Education employs 8 teachers, Health 3 people, Justice 3 people, and InternalAffairs one person to cover women, youth and sport.

Figure 1: Manihiki Administration Structure

Minister

Mayor/Island Council

Island Secretary

Admin. (3) Infrastructure (6) Beautification (6) Energy (4)

A communityconsultation meeting

Helen Elisaia -Finance Secretaryfor Manihiki

No woman has been elected to the Council to date.


Table 3: Population by Gender and Age Group

Total <5 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 >79Total1996 656 96 98 68 47 49 52 60 57 31 12 16 20 15 15 7 11 22001 498 52 54 58 59 41 28 39 46 42 20 17 18 9 7 5 1 2Male1996 368 57 47 37 33 28 25 31 31 23 7 7 12 7 14 6 2 12001 282 26 29 31 35 29 16 23 22 25 12 12 9 4 4 5 0 0Female1996 288 39 51 31 14 21 27 29 26 8 5 9 8 8 1 1 9 12001 216 26 25 27 24 12 12 16 24 17 8 5 9 5 3 - 1 2

Source: Cook Islands Statistics Office.

POPULATION TRENDS ANDCHARACTERISTICS

There were 498 people on Manihiki in 2001, which is 25% less than in 1996. Thedecrease can be attributed to Cyclone Martin, which destroyed about 90 percent ofthe houses and killed 19 people in November 1997. Almost the entire population wasevacuated and some families did not return.

Table 2: Population1971 1981 1991 1996 2001452 405 666 668 498Source: Cook Islands Statistics Office.

Manihiki exhibits a relatively low dependency ratio. In 2001, there were 61 peoplein the dependent age groups for every 100 people between the ages of 15 and 60years, compared with 91 in 1996 (Table 3). The male to female ratio is alsocomparatively high at 103 males for every 100 females, and especially so in the 15-34years range, reflecting the presence of young males working in the pearl industry. Passengers waiting at

Tukao harbour for theferry to cross over toRakahanga

Cyclone Martin, which destroyed about 90 percent ofthe houses and killed 19 people in November 1997


SOCIAL PROFILE

In general, the division of labour observed in traditional times still exists today, withmen being responsible for fishing, tending animals, and building houses and canoes,and women being responsible for cooking food, processing raw materials for weaving,and child rearing.

In general, the common Polynesian practice regarding residence is followed. Onmarriage, the female child would reside with the family of her husband; while the malechild, because of partrilocal residence would reside on family land with his wife.

Descent and rights to resources can be claimed both partrilineally and matrilineally.There are no communal rights on the land. In general, communal rights are exercisedover the sea and lagoon, although ownership of islets and the surrounding searesources is restricted to local family groupings.

The main industry on the island is pearl farming, which has created a large numberof unskilled jobs. This means that families are no longer as reliant on welfarepayments as they had been in the past. Taro of the northern tropical variety is nowestablished and home gardening is encouraged. Rice and fish are staple foods and thefish is varied and plentiful.

Households use electricity to run freezers and other electrical householdappliances, but almost all rely on gas as the principal means of cooking.

Religion plays a major part in the life of the community, with prayers on arrival atand departure from the airport. Just over half the population belong to the CookIslands Christian Church; 29% belong to the Roman Catholic Church; and 7% to theSeventh Day Adventist Church.

Additionally, there is an Assembly of God community of 60-70 young people.Although Sunday observance is strictly adhered to on the island, leeway for membersof the SDA Church to work on Sunday has been granted from time to time. Women’sgroupings are mainly organized through the churches.

HEALTH STATUS

Manihiki has two health clinics. The clinic at Tauhunu is housed in the ChildWelfare Clinic and is in poor repair. There is a wide verandah, an open ward areawith 4 beds, and no storage facilities.

Equipment is inadequate. A new hospital is under construction, but there have beendelays because of shortage of materials. The Tukao Clinic is also in poor repair andhygiene standards are difficult to maintain. Due to inadequate power supply, vaccinesare compromised.

Health services are provided by a visiting doctor, who has been based in Tauhunusince December 2002, and two nurse practitioners. The Child Welfare Committees inboth villages are very active and are the mainstay of the support for the nurses andteachers on the island. There are no dental services on the island but the dentist basedon Rakahanga is expected to make regular visits.

local community meetingThe main industry on the island is pearl farming, whichhas created a large number of unskilled jobs. Thismeans that families are no longer as reliant on welfarepayments as they had been in the past.

Traditional medicine is practiced on the island, withnono being a popular treatment for many ailments.


HEALTH STATUS

The 2000/01 national health budget allocation for the Island Council was $14,000.This figure had to be split equally between the Ministry of Health operating costs andthe Island Council’s health responsibilities in the area of public health and dentalservices, and was considered to be inadequate by local officials.

Key health indicators for Manihiki are presented in Table 4. These indicators andother health statistics suggest a high prevalence of diarrhoea problems, influenza, andacute respiratory infections, which in turn suggest that there are environmental causespoor hygiene, lack of food safety, and lack of a safe water supply.

The Health Review of 2000 also concluded that:

· there is a rise in the occurrence of non-communicable lifestyle diseases(hypertension and diabetes)

· poor nutrition contributed to obesity· health education for good nutrition is needed· injury-related infections were problematic.

Household sanitation

Of the 118 households surveyed in 2001, 80 had flush toilets, 25 had pour flushtoilets, 2 had pit toilets, and 12 had lagoon toilets.

There is now a regular rubbish collection on Tukao and a large landfill hole is usedas a community dump. There is no rubbish collection on Tauhunu. There is a problemwith wandering pigs and cleaning of pearl shells at the edge of the lagoon, which couldhave a long-term impact on lagoon and human health.

Table 4: Key Health IndicatorsIndicatorResident Population – 1996 656Population 2001 498Health workers per head Per capita expenditure on health F00/01 ($) 230Tot # of Deliveries 1998 2Average monthly admissions 1998 2Bed Occupancy % 1998 5Average monthly outpatients (1998) 176Monthly average with acute respiratory disease –98 5Monthly average with skin disease – 98 17Tot number registered with hypertension (80-98) 12% population with hypertension 3Current Users - Women on regular F/P contraception-98 0Has dental worker NoNumber patient referrals by sex (Islands to Raro) - 1998:Males 10Number patient referrals by sex (Islands to Raro) - 1998:Females 7Has regular rubbish pick up Yes# of private occupied dwellings with W/C or pour flush toilet - 2001 105Number on destitute or infirm payments at Sep 2000 ($100 per mth) 6Number on aged pension or child benefit Sep 2000 145Total private occupied dwellings – 1996 149

Source: Health Sector Review 2000.

These indicators and other health statistics suggestthat there are environmental causes poor hygiene, lackof food safety, and lack of a safe water supply.


EDUCATION STATUS

There are two schools on Manihiki. Tukao Primary provides classes frompreschool to Form 4. Tauhunu High School caters for preschool to Form 5 (CookIslands School Certificate) level.

There were 129 students enrolled in 2001, a drop of 25% from the 1996 level; butin 2002 there was a recovery in numbers to 147 (Table 5).

Table 6: School Population by Grade and Gender

SCHOOL Students Pre-school Primary Secondary TotalPreS Prim Sec Total Male Female Male Female Male Female Female %Female

2000Tauhunu High School 5 45 17 67 2 3 23 22 8 9 34 51Tukao Primary 8 33 13 54 8 0 16 17 8 5 22 412001Tauhunu High School 18 40 22 80 11 7 18 22 11 11 40 50Tukao Primary 0 31 18 49 0 0 20 11 6 12 23 472002Tauhunu High School 13 39 26 78 6 7 19 20 15 11 38 49Tukao Primary 8 40 21 69 6 2 24 16 9 12 30 43

Source: Education Statistics Gazettes 2000, 2001,2002.

Table 6 shows the breakdown of the school population by level and gender. Aboutone-third of the school population in 2002 was studying at secondary level, 54% atprimary level, and the remainder at pre-school level. Females represented 46% ofprimary level students and 47% of secondary level students, which was broadly in linewith their share of the school-age population (Table 3).

Table 5: School Population

19961997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002171 178 41 124 121 129 147


Primary school in Tukao


Table 7 provides further details on the school population by grade.In 1996, there were 26 students in grade 1 of primary school, but in 2001 there

were only 10 in grade 6, presumably because of migration of families after Cyclone

Table 7: School Rolls by Grade

PreSch Gr 1 Gr 2 Gr 3 Gr 4 Gr 5 Gr 6 F 1 F 2 F 3 F 4 F 5C F 5N F 6 F 7 Total1996Tukao Primary 17 10 3 4 9 5 5 4 4 5 1 0 0 0 0 67Tauhunu High School 12 16 13 10 12 6 7 15 6 5 0 2 0 0 0 1042000Tukao Primary 8 7 2 5 8 5 6 3 4 2 4 0 0 0 0 54Tauhunu High School 5 14 5 3 6 9 8 9 4 3 0 1 0 0 0 672001Tukao Primary 0 7 7 2 4 8 3 7 4 3 1 3 0 0 0 49Tauhunu High School 18 11 8 4 5 5 7 8 6 4 2 2 0 0 0 802002 (both schools) 21 16 14 14 9 10 16 10 18 10 6 3 0 0 0 147


Tertiary and vocational opportunities are not available on Manihiki but for theoccasional training program offered through the Small Business Center, NGO’s suchas Punanga Tauturu or Government agencies such as OMIA, Agriculture, InternalAffairs and MFEM. In 2002/2003, vocational training in automotive mechanics,carpentry, plumbing and electrical skills, and access to a bachelor’s degree in business

Martin.However, the enrollment in Form 1 of secondary school was 10 in 2002, and there

seem to be reasonable retention rates through to Form 5 in the school.

Six of the eight female teachers on Manihiki are certified, and one has a degree.There were 18 students per teacher in 2002 (Table 8).

As elsewhere in the outer islands, classes are multi-level, placing unusual demandson teacher skills.

Table 8: Teachers by Gender, Teaching Level, Nationality and Qualification

Teachers Teaching Level Nationality Qualifications S.TYear Total Female %Female Pre-school Primary Secondary Cook-Is %CIs. Degree Certified Ratio1988 5 3 2 1 3 1 5 0 2 12 81999 16 11 69 2 6 8 13 81 4 17 82000 10 8 80 3 5 2 10 100 1 5 122001 10 8 80 2 5 3 10 100 1 9 132002 8 8 100 2 4 2 8 100 1 6 18


administration and computing, was initiated by the Department of National HumanResource Development in partnership with OMIA, the University of the South Pacificand NZAID.

In the calendar year 2002, one Manihikian female undertook training in thebachelor’s degree program.


WELFARE

Welfare benefits provide a social safety net for the population. Old age pensions of$220 per month are paid all adults from the age of 60 years.

A destitute or infirm allowance of $120 per month is paid to persons who areunable to support themselves and their dependents. A child benefit allowance of $60per month is paid for all children up to the age of 10 years.

In December 2002 there were 161 welfare beneficiaries, representing almost one-third of the population (Table 9).

EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME

In 2001, there were 334 Manihikians aged 15 years and over (Table 3). Of these,246 (74%) were classified as economically active in the sense that they wereemployed (218 people) or unemployed but seeking work (28 people).

Table 10 presents a breakdown by gender and activity of the 334: 41% werefemale; 21% were engaged in home duties; 58% were employers, self-employed orworking fulltime; and 6% were working as unpaid family labor, notably on family pearlfarms.

Compared with 1996, it is notable that there has been both an absolute and arelative increase in the self-employed and those working full-time.

Table 10: Population Aged 15 Years and Over by Gender and Activity Status, 2001

Total Employer Self Working Working Unpaid Student Un - Home Retired Employed Full Part Family Employed Duties 1996 394 27 14 83 11 38 4 26 165 26

Male 227 22 12 59 9 29 1 23 57 15Female 167 5 2 24 2 9 3 3 108 11

2001 334 33 26 136 2 21 7 28 69 12Male 196 26 19 90 1 16 3 23 13 5Female 138 7 7 46 1 5 4 5 56 7


Table 9: Welfare Beneficiaries by Gender1997 2001 2002Male Female Male Female Male Female

Old Age Pension 21 18 11 12 11 12Child Benefit 113 73 52 56 67 61Infirm/Destitute 6 7 2 7 2 8Total Beneficiaries 210 238 65 75 80 81

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs.

grandma looking afterthe grand children


EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME

Table 11 shows the highest educational qualification gained by the over-15population resident in 2001. It is notable that 74% of the male population and 68% ofthe female population held no qualification at secondary and tertiary levels. Thirtypercent of females held a secondary level certificate, compared with 20% for males;but males held a higher percentage of tertiary level qualifications (6%) compared withfemales (2%).

Table 12 provides additional information on the source of employment in Manihiki.Since 1996 there has been a shift away from public sector towards private sector

Table 11: Highest Qualification Gained for Population Aged 15 Years and Over

Total CI School NZ School Higher leaving Form 6 NZ Bursary Uni Bachelors QualificationCertificate Certificate school certificate Certificate Award Entrance Cert Diploma Degree Not Stated No Qualification

2001 334 26 31 1 17 5 6 1 0 7 0 240Female 138 12 18 - 9 2 1 1 - 1 - 94

Table 12: Total Employed Population by Principal Employer

Total Public service Private Enterprise Ad-hoc Organizations Overseas Organizations Religious Organizations Self-Employed

1996 172 47 96 4 0 2 232001 218 36 103 5 70 4 0

Table 13: Income levels of the Population Aged 15 Years and Over by Gender

Total No Less Than $5,000 - $10,000 - $15,000 - $20,000- $30,000 - $40,000 - $50,000 - >$59,000 Income $5,000 $9,999 $14,999 $19,999 $29,999 $39,999 $49,999 $59,000 1996 394 88 188 72 21 13 3 1 0 8Male 227 56 86 50 15 10 3 0 0 7Female 167 32 102 22 6 3 0 1 0 12001 332 58 129 52 38 12 24 6 2 3 8Male 194 34 61 40 23 7 15 5 1 3 5Female 138 24 68 12 15 5 9 1 1 - 3


employment, with the public service providing 17% of jobs in 2001. There has been amarked rise in employment with overseas organizations.

Table 13 shows that 17% of the 2001 population over 15 years of age reportedlyreceived no (cash) income, compared with 22% in 1996. The percentages for malesand females in 2001 were the same.

Just over 49% of the female population earned less than $5,000 per year,compared with 31% of the male population, whereas 51% of males and 33% offemales earned above $5,000 p.a., with 8 males and 3 females earning $50,000 ormore annually. There have been major increases in income levels since 1996, generallyreflecting the buoyant pearl market.


PRODUCTIVE RESOURCES

Marine Resources

Fishing and pearl farming are the mainstays of the island economy. All householdsrely on fish for their food, and pearl farming has developed from the early 1980s into alucrative income-earning option for the islanders. In 1997, the Pearl Federation wasestablished to providing a coordination mechanism for the pearl farming industry. Itwas also responsible for marketing as well as monitoring and maintaining qualitystandards.

In 1997 there were 240 pearl farming permits granted, including 74 to women.The Pearl Federation found that women were actively engaged in shell cleaning, foodpreparation and seeding (but not diving) on a daily basis. It is believed there are nowthree women who are qualified to seed round and half pearls.

The 2000 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries reported that there were 106 pearlfarms with a total of 2,162,795 farm shells: 83 pearl farms had 819,682 seeded shells,81 farms had 1,005,513 drilled but unseeded shells, and 51 farms had 337,600 shellsyet to be drilled and seeded. The pearl farm operators were projected collectively tohave 2.4 million shells to be seeded by 2003, and 4.6 million shells within five years.

The pearl farm workforce in 2000 consisted of household members and non-household members. In the former category, there were 103 pearl farm operatorsworking an average of 15 hours a week, 32 paid workers working an average of 34hours per week, and 90 unpaid workers working an average of 9 hours per week. Inthe non-household member category, there were 37 paid workers and 13 unpaidworkers.

Workers were mainly men 203 compared with 72 women. The average wage forpaid laborers was $435 per month, with one in five workers receiving free housingand/or food.

Of the 103 pearl farm operators, 24 respondents indicated that they derived alltheir income from the pearl farm; 13 derived a half to three-quarters; and 38 a quarterto a third. Fifty operators held bank loans, primarily from the Bank of the CookIslands.

Nearly all pearl farms were using boats to assist with their pearl farm activities. Atotal of 513 trips were made each week.

cleaning the pearl shells

In 1997 there were 240 pearl farming permitsgranted, including 74 to women. Women were activelyengaged in shell cleaning, food preparation andseeding. It is believed there are now three women whoare qualified to seed round and half pearls.


Agriculture

Copra was once a significant crop and regular income-earner for the island, butlow market prices in the late 1960s, irregular shipping links, and more rewardingforms of income-generation have caused the effective demise of cash cropping.Coconut remains an important subsistence crop.

The 2000 Agriculture Census revealed that of 118 households 51 had no

Fisheries

The importance of fishing is demonstrated by the fact that 105 households engagedin fishing in 2000 (Table 15). Of these, 97 fished for home consumption only, and 8for home consumption and occasional sale. No commercial fishing operations wererecorded in 2000, although there were commercial operations in 1996.

Net and speargun fishing on and around the reef were the most popular means ofcatching fish. Most households (97) used motorized boats, and an average of 2.1fishing trips were made per month.

involvement in agricultural activity and 40 had only minor involvement. The 27 house-holds that had a significant involvement were engaged entirely in subsistence produc-tion, harvesting coconuts and planting bananas, kumara and puraka. Home gardensalso included rukau viti (hibiscus esculentum), tomatoes, and chinese cabbage.Women and men shared home gardening activities.

Over 80 households raised livestock, mainly pigs and chickens, and mainly forsubsistence.

Table 14: Agricultural Activities

No. of Households Subsistence Only Subsistence with Cash Cropping Mainly Commercial Minor Agricultural Activity No Agricultural Activity2000 118 27 0 0 40 51

Source: Ministry of Agriculture 2001, Cook Islands 2000 Censusof Agriculture and Fisheries.

Table 15: Fishing Activities

Total Subsistence Subsistence with MainlyHouseholds Only Cash Production Commercial

2000 105 97 8 0

Source: Ministry of Agriculture 2001, Cook Islands 2000 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Milk fish farm on Motu Porea


Tourism

There is no registered tourist accommodation on Manihiki, although a few home-stay operations exist. This lack of accommodation and the limited number and highcost of seats discourage visitation. Participation in tourism is generally focused on thesupply of black pearl and pearl products for on-selling to tourists.

Handicrafts

Manihiki women were once prolific producers of beautiful rito3 hats, fans andpurses. This is no longer the case due in part to the demands of pearl farming. There isa reported tendency now to buy the raw materials for handicraft production from theneighboring islands of Rakahanga and Penrhyn for limited production for home useand gift giving.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Energy Supply

Electricity is supplied 12 hours per day by diesel generators, with most householdsconnected to the main system. Tauhunu has a Lister generator HR4 48kw and Tukaohas a Lister generator HRW4 28kw. Some households have their own generators.

The total electricity generated each year declined in the late 1990s (Table 16). Thecost of power is 58 cents per Kwh for commercial users and 36 cents per Kwh fordomestic users.

Table 16: Electricity Generated

Year Kwhrs ‘0001996 411997 271998 221999 112000 18


Water Supply

In 2001, 103 households relied on their own rainwater tanks as a source of watersupply, with 28 using public water catchments. Only 48 households had water pipedinside the home; 37 had it piped to outside the dwelling; and 33 had to carry waterhome. Rain provides the only source of water for Manihiki.

Tukao Power house103 households relied on their own rainwater tanks asa source of water supply, with 28 using public watercatchments.


COMMUNICATIONS

There is no newspaper or radio on Manihiki. The Administration Center providesa notice board for messages and serves as a meeting place for much of the population.There is satellite television with four channels.

PRIVATE SECTOR

The private sector includes a branch of the Bank of the Cook Islands, which isopen five days a week. In addition to this and the activities of pearl farmers, theprivate sector includes two retail stores on Tauhunu, and two retail stores and a foodtakeaway on Tukao. Market day is every Friday.

The Outer Islands Development Grant Fund (OIDFG) has been introduced tosupport community and private sector development in the Outer Islands. BetweenMay 2001 and June 2002, $84,000 in funding was approved for the followingpurposes:

· Tukao Putuputuanga Vainetini sewing equipment· Tauhunu Bakery bakery· Linda’s bakery bakery· Tauhunu Vainetini sewing equipment· Tauhunu Hydroponics hydroponics equipment· Tukao Sports Association multi-purpose hardcourt

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The Manihiki Strategic Plan 2000 – 2005 sets out the future direction for Manihikiand emphasizes the need for an asset management plan to cover the following areas:

· Airport upgrade· Acquisition of land for two maintenance workshops for the storage,

maintenance and security of equipment.· Two six-bed health clinics· Doctor’s residence· Airport terminal· Ongoing maintenance of roads· Water tanks and catchments· Foreshore and coastal reforestation· Marina and lagoon jetty· Rubbish dump

In addition to this and the activities of pearlfarmers, the private sector includes two retail storeson Tauhunu, and two retail stores and a foodtakeaway on Tukao. Market day is every Friday.

a fish drying shed being built

Manihiki Strategic Plan..PMD

Documents

Transcript of Manihiki Strategic Plan..PMD