Northern Group Senior Students SRIC CC Proposal Writing Workshop 27 - 31 July 2015 Teina Rongo, Celine Dyer, Mia Teaurima Office of the Prime Minister 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We wish to thank the Adaptation Fund and UNDP Samoa office for providing funding for this project through the Strengthening the Resilience of Island Communities to Climate Change (SRIC CC) programme. Thank you to our implementing partners the Ministry of Education, Te Ipukarea Society (with UNESCO funding), and SPC EU GCCA PSIS for embracing this concept and coming on board with great enthusiasm. We thank Teava Iro from the Titikaveka Growers Association, Paul Maoate from Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI), Arona Ngari and the staff of the Meteorological Office and Rongohiva Watersports for accommodating the site visits. To all the experts; Mana Etches from EMCI, Dan Rasmussen from NES and Marino Wichman from Seabed Minerals thank you all for your presentations. Thank you to the Aronga Mana of Puaikura, Tinomana Ariki, Kaina Mataiapo and Kaumaiti Tou Ariki for welcoming the students and opening the workshop. We also thank the Mayors, EOs and the Pu Teres for releasing the students to attend the workshop. Thank you to the Prime Minister Henry Puna and Mrs Puna for attending the closing of the workshop and delivering the closing address to the students. Most importantly, we thank the students and their teachers for their commitment and sacrificing their time to participate in the workshop. Thank you all so much, Ata Wai Wolo Meitaki Poria Korereka! 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents Page Number Introduction --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Background ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 Methodology -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 Climate Change Team --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 Logistics--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 Participants --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 - 8 Workshop Delivery ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 - 10 Outcome ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 - 12 Observations -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 Feedback ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 Recommendations ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 Appendices ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 1. Rakahanga Rakuraku School Proposal ------------------------------------------- 14 - 18 2. Manihiki Island School Proposal -------------------------------------------------- 19 - 23 3. Pamati Lucky School Proposal----------------------------------------------------- 24 - 27 4. Tongareva Henua School Proposal----------------------------------------------- 28 - 31 5. Nassau Island School Proposal --------------------------------------------------- 31 - 36 6. Pukapuka Niua School Proposal-------------------------------------------------- 36 - 39 7. Questionnaire ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 40 - 41 3 Introduction The Te Maeva Nui event in July, where many of the outer island students congregate on Rarotonga, presented a great opportunity for Climate Change Cook Islands (CCCI) to host a week-long workshop. The objective of the workshop was to give senior students the opportunity to - build their awareness of issues relating to climate change, develop their research skills, and to capture the interest of students with the various disciplines involved as potential careers for them. In addition, it was the intention that the workshop would lead to the development of a climate change related project for their respective islands. Through this workshop, students were expected to work with the local government, elders, various groups on their respective islands, and experts from various fields to guide them through the development of a concept note that would be developed into a full proposal at a later stage. Project can be marine related (e.g., raui, aqua-farming to address resilience and food security respectively), land-based (e.g., coastal protection, reforestation, agriculture to address sea level rise, storm surges, cyclones, and food security), or a combination of the two (e.g., land to reef holistic management for ecosystem resilience). The workshop would also ensure that projects meet the criteria of the Climate Change Cook Island’s SRIC CC program (which is to Strengthen the Resilience of our Island communities in the Pa Enua to Climate Change) for funding. Considering that opportunities for Northern island students are limited due to transportation, the workshop was limited to the senior students from the Northern islands (i.e., Manihiki, Rakahanga, Penrhyn, and Pukapuka/Nassau, and Palmerston). A maximum of six students and one teacher from each school was required to participate in the workshop. Background The Northern Group islands of the Cook Islands that are populated consists of the four low lying coral atolls of Manihiki, Rakahanga, Penryhn and Pukapuka, including Nassau which is a sand cay. Palmerston Island, the only low lying coral atoll in the Southern Cook Islands was included in the workshop. The furthest of these islands from mainland Rarotonga is Penryhn of 1,365kms. With the exception of Manihiki that has fortnightly flights, all the others depend on shipping transport for supplies and passage. Although, there is air service available to Pukapuka and Penryhn, this is mainly chartered flights. Palmerston island is within close proximity to mainland Rarotonga but without an airport, hence dependent on shipping services which is very limited to these islands. Common features of these islands include the highest point above sea level rise which is less than 5 metres. Vegetation on all of the islands is basically the same, mostly coconut trees, pandanus, breadfruit, tamanu, puka, ngangie, toa, although Pukapuka, Nassau and Rakahanga have more taro and puraka swamps than the others. People mainly depend on the ocean for their 4 livelihoods, such as fish and other sea foods, black pearl farming, harvesting the wild blacklip pearl oyster, craft and weaving products to sell on mainland Rarotonga. The low lying coral atolls were targeted because of their smallness, isolation and fragile ecosystems making them more susceptible to changes particularly to the adverse impacts of climate change. Methodology Classroom presentations This was to impart information and knowledge on climate change, including explanation on how to approach the different sections contained in the SRIC template and what type of information is required to fill in the template. Field visits Field visits were designed to compliment specific areas related to climate change. To give students first hand experience about the different aspects of activities related to climate change, giving them opportunity to question, observe with hands on practice. Presentation from experts Hearing from experts in different disciplines gives students opportunities to ask questions and to learn from experts experiences. Group work Importantly is group work, which is meant to encourage team spirit, cohesion, leadership, responsibility and build communication skills. Fun activities Incorporation of fun activities such as icebreakers, drama, singing serves to overcome shyness through playing games and having fun. Also help break communication barriers. Group presentations Promoting group work as well as individual contribution to the overall outcome of the team, thus building team work and working relationships improving communication skills. Language The climate change team spoke in both Maori and English and encouraged the students to speak in their mother tongue if they were uncomfortable with English. Climate Change Team (left to right) Celine Dyer, Dr Teina Rongo, Ana Tiraa, Mia Teaurima, Ann-Marie Roi and William Tuivaga. Logistics All logistics arrangements were organised by the Climate Change Team under the leadership of Dr Teina Rongo. 5 Participants Manihiki Island. Students are; Rosalina Tuatoru, Danielle Nimeti, Rima Tuakana and Tepaeru Tarau with teachers; Ms Anna Rauru and Mr Peter College not pictured here. Insert is the island of Manihiki. Nassau Island Students from Nassau Island School are, Penese Poila, Yikitia Tiluano, Papa Komile, Hunter Tuaine, Tapolo Tuaine with teacher Mr Poila Poila. Insert is the island of Nassau. 6 Palmerston Island Students from Palmerston Island Lucky School are; Joseph Marsters, Tuakanamoe Marsters, Andrew Marsters, Ned Marsters, Mehau Ngarima Marsters, Julia Marsters, Sareanna Marsters with teacher Mr Marconi Marsters. Insert is the island of Palmerston. Penryhn Island Students from Penryhn Island School are; Mum William, Anau Ivirangi, Naurea Kaihui Taka, Matoha Niukore, Akamoeau Temakopi, Tekura Ben with teacher Mr Poti Maeva, including the Penryhn SRIC Focal Point in the back row Mr Thomas Taime. Insert is the island of Penrhyn. 7 Pukapuka Island Students from Pukapuka Island Niua School are; Elitama Akima, Ngapuna Tinokura, Yemaka Yeutu, John Angaino, Ataela Mukomuko with teachers; Mr James Katoa and Mr Jani Zape.