Engineers deploy to Niue

Spr Brocklebank constructs a walkway (WN08-0048-74)

By Lt Mike Gleeson

A team of RNZE tradesmen deployed to Niue on 2 August to prepare the facilities that would accommodate Defence Force and NZ Police personnel visiting Niue for the 39th Pacific Island Forum.

The ten-man team, supported by a medic and chef from 2 LFG, escaped the wind and rain of a Manawatu winter with the assistance of an RNZAF C-130, and arrived on the “Rock of the Pacific” in perfect tropical conditions. They quickly set up living quarters at the Niue Youth Centre, and once confirmatory reconnaissance had been conducted on their job sites, the work began.

Their primary task was repairing the ablution block at Niue High School - installing new showers and lighting, and finishing the work with a paint job any engineer would be proud of. They also replaced solar panels, heating water for the home economics class room and critical to the kitchen operation. A sheltered walkway was constructed at the school, and the engineers also put in a valiant effort on the school touch rugby field against a nimble and numerically superior opposition.

The engineer construction team carried out running repairs at the Youth Centre and at a local hall that would serve to accommodate media reporting on the Pacific Island Forum. This task and the repairs at the High School were sponsored by NZ AID. They also assisted the Niuean Police to construct a vehicle shelter at the Police station and some much needed renovations to their ‘smoko’ room.

Once the main body of NZDF service personnel arrived on 13 August, a small team of tradesmen remained as maintenance crew for the duration of the Pacific Island Forum, while the remainder of the team returned to NZ.

The engineers enjoyed their short trip to Niue, and were welcomed by the locals. Some of the highlights of the trip were hunting coconut crabs at night in the forest with a local guide, and snorkelling with a pod of humpback whales.

Niueans are still talking about the great work done during Exercise Tropic Twilight 2005 and they remain grateful for the reconstruction efforts of the engineers after cyclone Heta devastated the Island.

Ends

The 39th Pacific Islands Forum
Along with Australia and New Zealand, 13 Pacific Island neighbours participated in the Pacific Islands Forum held in Niue 22- 24 August 2008. Topics discussed included governance, security, population, health, and poverty, in the region.