July – September 2013

Strengthening the Resilience of Our Islands and Our Communities to Climate Change Programme Porokaramu akamatutu’anga o te iti tangata i te tuatau manakokore‘ia no te taui’anga reva

Office of the Prime Minister

Country: Project Number/Code: 00079524 Project Title: Cook Islands SCRIC - AF Executing Agency: Office of the Prime Minister Period Covered: July – September 2013

Summary of Overall Progress for 3rd quarter as at 30th September 2013 x Draft national learning needs task completed. x National Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction policy endorsed by cabinet x Climate Early Warning and Information System in final review x SRIC CC Focal Points set up in the Pa Enua x SRIC CC PMU, UNDP and GEF discuss sharing services to support the respective Small Grants Programmes. x Several SRIC CC SGP ready for final review x Mangaia, , Atiu and Pa Enua take the lead in moving the agricutural projects forward. x Brilliant concepts to assist in potable water management planned for introduction through the SRIC CC household water tanks programme on Atiu, Palmerston and Pa Enua. x Aitutaki Pa Enua ready to discuss with SRIC CC - coastal protection for Amuri and Ureia villages on Aitutaki Pa Enua. x Ministry of Health ready to implement vector borne control programme in the Pa Enua with support from SRIC CC programme on all 11 Pa Enua. x Water projects ground assessments for Palmerston and Atiu completed…Aitutaki assessments planned for quarter 4. x More lessons learned x Strategic Results Framework task completed x SRIC CC Programme planned to be presented at STAR meeting x SRIC CC and Development Coordination Division (DCD) develop new process to expedite project finance. x Senior technical advisor for SRIC CC departs the SRIC CC programme Q3 Progress Report 2013 1

x Mitiaro and Mauke CSDP in final consultations with community before tabling with Island Councils for final approval. x Local Governance New Zealand (LGNZ) assist SRIC CC programme x UNDP representative Gabor Vereczi visits Rarotonga to assist in the completion of the Annual Adaptation report x NPM and FO visit UNDP Samoa to complete induction training

Outcome 1: Strengthening and implementing climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction at national level

Output 1.1 - Effective and efficient support at National level Final national learning needs report was accepted by the Programme Director and supported by PAC. The report is utilised as a guide to implementing relevant training (including technical) under the programme.

Output 1.2 – National and sector policies The final national Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction policy was approved for submission to cabinet. On the 6th August 2013 the national policy was endorsed by cabinet. In the 4th quarter the policy will be printed, launched publically and disseminated to stakeholders.

Output 1.3 – Operational Climate, Early Warning and Information System (CEWIS) Activity 1.3.4 - The Cook Islands Meteorological Services (CIMS) draft proposal is now under final review by the sub-committee for CLEWIS. Activities at this time include finalising agreements between stakeholders and CIMS to support the successful installation of Automated Weather Systems (AWS) proposed under the CLEWIS project.

Activity 1.3.5 – No progress to report for this quarter

Outcome 2: Strengthening capacities for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in the Pa Enua

Output 2.1 – CCA/ DRR plans for each of the 11 Pa Enua The draft CSDP’s are now in use by the respective Island Councils in the Pa Enua.

Output 2.2 – Enhance capacity of Island Councils – Appoint, train and fund SRIC Focal points

Focal points identified and trained in quarter 2 are working with the PMU in advancing the progress of proposals from the Pa Enua. Nassau recently named their Focal Point. PMU is working around getting some training implemented for her.

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SRIC CC Programme Officer met the Focal Point on Mauke to go over her progress and work plan. The Mauke CSDP is now going through the consultation process in the community before this is tabled with the respective Island Council for approval.

SRIC CC Programme Officer met the Focal Point on Mitiaro to go over his progress and work plan. The Mitiaro CSDP is now going through the consultation process in the community before this is tabled with the respective Island Council for approval. A project concept for the revitalisation of the “Puraka” plant on Mitiaro is under design by the FP. (Left) – Mitiaro FP standing in front of the “Puraka” plant on Mitiaro. Traditionally the Puraka plant (a root crop) is eaten by locals during times of drought when other plants…Taro, Kumara and Arrowroot are affected. D uring drought periods, the Puraka plant continues to prosper.

Outcome 3: Implementing climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction measures in the Pa Enua.

Small Grants Programme (SGP) SRIC CC PMU, UNDP and GEF (Global Environmental Fund) discuss sharing services to implement their respective Small Grants Programmes. A joint TOR identifying the operational management structure is under development. Whilst this discussion is in progress, the SRIC CC SGP is progressing ahead with preparations to review its SGP proposals.

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9 After several reviews and delays in obtaining costs from overseas and local suppliers, submit final draft of SGP proposal for outboard motors. All required and relevant information to support proposal provided. 9 Rakahanga draft SGP proposal for community water tanks (concrete) repairs. This incomplete proposal is also with Island Council and Focal Point. 9 Manihiki Agriculture SGP draft proposal for a “Hydroponic system” in Tukao village. Costs have been added to proposal. The PMU is assisting the Manihiki Island Council and Focal Point in completing this proposal. 9 Atiu SGP “Food preservation” programme. The Island Council and Atiu Focal Point are assisting the Mama’s in preparing their proposal – This proposal was submitted to the PMU to table with the SGP sub-committee. 9 Mangaia SGP “Home Garden” project proposal. This proposal is ready for a final review which will be done mid-November. 9 Aitutaki plastic water tank repairs under the SGP. The concept was raised with the PMU by members of the Aitutaki community. The PMU has forwarded this concept to the Aitutaki Mayor. Repairing plastic water tanks would add to Aitutaki’s water capacity. This concept is under design by the respective Island Council. 9 The Terms of Reference for a technical person to develop a proposal for the design, construction and operation of a coconut cold press – oil extracting plant for Manihiki, Atiu and Mauke was developed. Advert for the task will be displayed in the media in quarter 4.

Output 3.2 – Climate resilient agriculture and fisheries practices 9 Mauke “cooler” - Project documentation is with Mauke focal point. She is assisted by the PMU and the respective Island Executive Officer. A first draft of the document was reviewed by the PMU and sent back to the Focal Point to follow up on information from the Pa Enua. 9 Coconut cold press plant concept received for Manihiki, Mauke and Atiu Pa Enua. Will report more on this in quarter 4. 9 Mangaia agriculture project ready for final review. This proposal has taken several months to design and includes the provision of agricultural training, small business training for farmers and purchase of resources to support farmers cope with the current challenges of today. Farmers on Mangaia are facing water shortages. The Mangaia Growers and Livestock Association Inc have worked on solutions to solving the problem through the introduction of new practices and varieties of vegetables.

Output 3.3 – Water management capacities enhanced 9 A lessons learnt from past water tank projects implemented in the Pa Enua is for notices for water and water tank management to be attached to the water tank itself in the English and Maori language. This reminds home-owners when tanks are to be emptied and cleaned (maintenance), what actions to apply in preparation for a tropical cyclone (remove down piping to avoid salt spray from contaminating the water etc…) and securing the water tank to its base. These lessons were also picked up during SRIC CC consultations with the communities in the Pa Enua and discussions with Island Council. These notices will be designed by the PMU and will carry the logo of SRIC CC partners.

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9 Discussions with Island Council have led to the development of strengthening maintenance management capacities which will be built into the water projects design.

Otheniel Tangianau of Pa Enua Governance Unit inspects the intake at the catchment on the Pa Enua of Mangaia. The SRIC CC programme has a project to replace old pipes connecting this catchment and the village of Tamarua. Maintenance challenges were discussed with the Island Council. Solutions to addressing these challenges will be built into the design of the Tamarua water project.

Output 3.4 – Coastal protection enhanced 9 The Ministry of Agriculture is developing a programme to plant new coconut trees and remove senile coconut trees. No progress to report since last quarter. 9 Aitutaki has forwarded a concept proposal for coastal protection of the Amuri/ Ureia Villages. This proposal will be reviewed by the PMU and sent to the National Environment Services in Rarotonga for feedback. This is at the very early stages of development.

Output 3.5 – Resilience of Tourism Enterprises enhanced 9 No progress to report for this quarter.

Output 3.6 – Health support and vector borne control introduced 9 The Ministry of Health has forwarded a concept to drive the whole vector borne control programme themselves with the PMU placed in a monitoring role. UNDP and SRIC CC PMU discussing best option to operationalize this project. Discussions have to date included the assistance of Development Coordination Division (DCD).

Output 3.7 – Implement infrastructure projects 9 Palmerston and Atiu assessment completed. Technical assistant to this task, Darryl Rairi has forwarded the design and new costs for the two household water tank projects for a peer review by an engineer. 9 Atiu emergency water tank assessment completed by Local Governance New Zealand engineer Joanna Saywell. Design options are due back with the PMU in early quarter 4. 9 Ground assessments for Tamarua water project completed in this quarter by Ministry of Infrastructure & Planning engineers Tenga Mana and Paul Maoate. Design options are due back in very early quarter 4. 9 After a peer review of the revised designs and costs is completed the procurement process will commence (identify resources supplier).

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Daryl with FP, Anna, Council Member and Council Secretary speaking with house owner

Output 4 Lessons learnt x Using existing programmes to assist the SRIC CC programme is working well. The Local Governance New Zealand programme continues to assist in project processes through technical expertise support. x Strengthening partnerships with other programmes is a benefit.

Project Management

Strategic Results Framework (SRF) completed The SRF task incorporating the feedback forwarded by UNDP was completed. The technical assistants to this task have been paid out. This task is now completed.

SRIC CC Programme prepare to present at STAR Conference The NPM prepared to present the SRIC CC programme at the 30th STAR Conference in Rarotonga starting on October 5th- 8th 2013. The theme for the session is…Large ocean states: challenges, opportunities and risks in developing non-living marine and on land natural resources. The PMU will report on this in the next quarter.

SRIC CC and Development Coordination Division (DCD) work on expediting finance processes In this quarter the PMU and Development Coordination Division (DCD) operationalized a more user friendly system to expedite project funds. This process started when funds from UNDP arrived at DCD in Q3.

Senior Technical Advisor (STA) contract with SRIC CC Programme comes to an end In this quarter, the contract for SRIC CC Programme Senior Technical Advisor Professor John Hay came to an end. The SRIC CC team thank Professor Hay for his contribution to the programme and wish him well in his future endeavours.

UNDP Focal Point – Cook Islands resigns from post In this quarter, the UNDP Focal Point in the Cook Islands Ms Taimata Allsworth who assisted in the SRIC CC Programme resigned from the post. The SRIC CC team wishes Taimata well in her future endeavours.

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Local Governance New Zealand assists the SRIC CC programme The Water Infrastructure sub-committee was kept busy in this quarter with the implementation of the ground assessments for; 1. Palmerston and Atiu (household water tank) 2. Atiu (community water tank) and 3. Tamarua water pipeline project The team was assisted by Ms Joanna Saywell of Local Governance New Zealand (LGNZ). LGNZ under the NZAID Programme approved an application forwarded by the SRIC CC PMU for a civil engineer to assist the programme in the ground assessments for the 500,000 litres community water storage for Atiu Pa Enua. The SRIC CC PMU thanks Joanna Saywell, Francis Sullivan, LGNZ and the NZAID programme for their assistance.

Thank you LGNZ

Civil Engineer - Joanna Saywell (second from left) flew in from Wellington (Local Governance New Zealand) to assist the SRIC CC Programme scope Atiu’s Emergency 500, 000 litre Water Storage project.

UNDP representative – Gabor Vereczi visits Cook Islands UNDP representative Gabor Vereczi visits Rarotonga to assist the PMU in the completion of the Adaptation Fund Annual report.

NPM and Finance Officer complete induction training at UNDP (Samoa) The National Programme Manager and Finance officer visited UNDP office in Samoa to complete induction training for the SRIC CC programme. The induction programme covered many areas within the UNDP systems. The biggest gain was putting faces to names and strengthening work relationships between the PMU team and the UNDP project teams.

Report prepared by: William M Tuivaga National Programme Manager Email: [email protected]

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