{"id":1020,"date":"2024-03-18T00:42:29","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T00:42:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/?post_type=our-actions&#038;p=1020"},"modified":"2026-07-08T05:05:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T05:05:46","slug":"building-local-capacity-for-conservation-sustainable-development","status":"publish","type":"our-actions","link":"https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/our-actions\/building-local-capacity-for-conservation-sustainable-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Building local capacity for conservation &amp; sustainable development"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-regular-font-size\"><strong><strong>Niue Ocean Wide Trust Awards First Resource Management Advisory Committee (RMAC) Village Grants<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Niue Ocean Wide Trust (NOW Trust)<\/strong> proudly announces the first round of <strong>Resource Management Advisory Committee (RMAC) village grants<\/strong>, a milestone in Niue\u2019s journey toward community-led ocean conservation and sustainable development.<br>Seven villages&nbsp;<strong>Alofi South, Mutalau, Liku, Toi, Hakupu, Avatele, and Tuapa<\/strong>&nbsp; have been completed and awarded <strong>NZD $20,000 annually<\/strong> to implement locally designed conservation and blue economy projects over a three-year period. The remaining Seven villages have their proposals well underway for future support in due course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/wp-content\/uploads\/NOW-Resized-website-thumbnails-.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1167\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Left &#8211; Right ( Etaena Poihega (NOW Trustee) Coral Pasisi (NOW Trust -Vice Chair) Avi Rubin (NOW Trustee) Gayleen Tasmania (NOW Trustee) Hon. Dalton Tagelagi (NOW Trust &#8211; Chair) Hon Mona Ainu&#8217;u (NOW Trustee)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/wp-content\/uploads\/8.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1129 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNiue\u2019s Ocean Conservation Commitment affirms our enduring responsibility to safeguard the marine environment for future generations&#8230; Their stewardship ensures that our conservation efforts remain locally driven, resilient, and firmly aligned with Niue\u2019s national vision for sustainable ocean governance.\u201d<br><em>Hon. Dalton Tagelagi, Prime Minister of Niue<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This initiative strengthens the co-management framework at the heart of the <strong>Niue Ocean Wide Initiative Public &#8211; Private Partnership,&nbsp;<\/strong>empowering communities to lead with cultural integrity and environmental stewardship. As the program enters its second year, the NOW Trust remains committed to supporting&nbsp;<strong>inclusive participation and village-driven action&nbsp;<\/strong>within the co-management arrangement with central government. The initiative supports&nbsp;RMACs as they turn local knowledge into lasting impact from sustainable tourism ventures to the revitalization and maintenance of culture and traditional practices.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>(The Video below reflects the excitement of the NOW Trust in approving the first tranche of funds and the 7 Village RMACs highlighting 2 out of many key objectives in the use of their respective funds)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Niue Empowers Communities: First RMAC Village Grants Awarded by the Niue Ocean Wide Trust\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RVR8ZmVxeLg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-regular-font-size\"><strong>Teaching Future Ocean Leaders to Dive <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>As part of building Niue\u2019s responsible future ocean custodians, NOW partnered with a local dive company, Niue Blue, to support six Niue High School Students to undertake Padi Dive Courses. The investment focused on supporting students who had interests in the ocean. The course provided the students the opportunity to see what NOW is protecting and the opportunity to engage them in the idea of possible career paths in the marine space. <\/strong>(<strong>Featured in the video are 3 of the 6 students who were available to dive at the time<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Training the next Ocean Stewards  through NOW Funded Padi Dive Courses\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9jfO1jFMpJU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-regular-font-size\"><strong>Making Traditional Fishing Hooks &#8211; Maintaining traditional knowledge <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>NOW supports the maintenance of traditional knowledge in the school by providing tools to assist in the process of the making of traditional fishing hooks and sinkers and the practice and processes involved and so much more to come. We speak to Jackson Hekesi about his passion as a school teacher and the how passing on this traditional knowledge to his students really inspires him. This is just the beginning of more awesome stories and videos to come. watch this space!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Making Traditional Fishing Hooks - NOW\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oSGNC_i9DqE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-regular-font-size\" id=\"TraditionalKnowledgeHolders\"><strong>The Maintenance of traditional knowledge &#8211; NOW Supports Niue delegation at 13th Festival of Pacific Arts &amp; Culture (FestPAC)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Ocean and the Land is part of our livelihoods as Niuean&#8217;s, its our identity. At the Festival of Pacific Arts and Cultural Festival (FestPAC) We were fortunate to capture a few of Niue&#8217;s prominent cultural Traditional knowledge holders &#8211; explaining why it is important to maintain traditional practices. These practices are valuable knowledge that carry stories through Performing arts Vagahau Niue (Niuean Language) Weaving, Education. Supporting the maintenance of traditional knowledge is one of the key value drivers embedded in the metrics of the NOW Trust and Ocean Conservation Commitments (OCCs).  Traditional knowledge have been passed down from generations carrying stories of the Niue people, their survival and adaptation to change. We strive to maintain these local Taoaga- our national treasures and cultural verified science.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Lavea Puheke - Maintenance of traditional Knowledge through Performing Arts\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RptZ02JrDnM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-regular-font-size\"><strong>Maintenance of Traditional Knowledge through Performing arts (Dances &amp; Songs) Lavea Puheke &#8211; Niue Traditional Knowledge Holder &#8211; Performing Arts, Music Composition &amp; Choreography <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tom Misikea - Maintenance of traditional Knowledge through Performing Arts\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_PP6UQ5Fgqk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-regular-font-size\"><strong>Maintenance of Traditional Knowledge through Performing arts (Dances &amp; Songs) Tom Misikea &#8211; Niue Traditional Knowledge Holder &#8211; Performing Arts, Music Composition &amp; Choreography <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tom junior Misikea - Maintenance of traditional Knowledge through Performing Arts\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yQkLBqwyyQ8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-regular-font-size\"><strong>Maintenance of Traditional Knowledge through Performing arts (Dances &amp; Songs) Tom junior Misikea &#8211; Young Niue Traditional Knowledge Holder &#8211; Performing Arts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Maintenance of traditional Knowledge through the art of weaving - Inangaro Vakaafi\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lCRMjI5qrbo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-regular-font-size\"><strong>Maintenance of Traditional Knowledge through Weaving (Arts &amp; Crafts) Inangaro Vakaafi &#8211; Young Niue Traditional Knowledge Holder &#8211; Weaver<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ben Tanaki - Maintenance of traditional Knowledge Niue through Performing Arts\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pEzJ18ZAbCE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-regular-font-size\"><strong>Maintenance of Traditional Knowledge through Performing Arts (Songs &amp; Dances) Ben Tanaki &#8211; Niue Traditional Knowledge Holder Composer\/Tutor<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/wp-content\/uploads\/418298586_780163644155088_1441528836161325064_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-649 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>NOW Trust holds its first Inaugural meeting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Together, with our key valued partners and representatives, Niue &amp; Ocean Wide Trust held its inaugural meeting today at Scenic Matavai Resort. All members of the board of trustees were present locally and remotely. An awesome start to 2024 highlighting updates and the progress of the NOW Trust and Ocean Conservation Commitment initiatives, developments and forecasted rollout moving forward.<br>NOW Trust &#8211; Board of Trustees<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><br>-Hon. Dalton Tagelagi (Premier of Niue)<br>-Coral Pasisi (President of Tofia Niue &amp; Director of Climate Change SPC)<br>-Hon. Mona Ainu&#8217;u (Niue\u2019s Minister for Natural Resources)<br>-Avi Rubin (Vice President of Tofia Niue and Private Sector Rep)<br>-Gaylene Tasmania (Deputy Secretary of Government of Niue)<br>&#8211; Etaena Piohega -(Makefu VC Chair)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/wp-content\/uploads\/FFA-New-Edit-Thumbnail.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-631 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-align-center\">Empowering Sustainable Fisheries: Niue Ocean Wide&#8217;s Impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Niue&#8217;s Department of forestry and fisheries (DAFF) together with Ministry of Natural Resources recently hosted a National Fisheries Development Stakeholder Consultation, highlighting the island&#8217;s dedication to sustainable fishing. Teaming up with partners like the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Niue is actively involved in fisheries initiatives at various levels.<br>Under the leadership of Hon. Mona Ainu, the consultation stressed the importance of collective efforts for sustainable fisheries management. Dr. Manu Tupou-Roosen of FFA lauded Niue&#8217;s partnership, paving the way for a crucial High-Level Fisheries National Consultation Summit.<br>This summit marks a turning point for discussing sustainable fisheries in Niue and the wider Pacific region. Niue Ocean Wide&#8217;s initiatives, including the Ocean Conservation Commitment, are reshaping commercial fishing practices towards sustainability, ensuring a thriving future for our precious marine resources.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/wp-content\/uploads\/Vignette-Thumbnail-for-Youtube-2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-584 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meet some of our amazing Ocean Stewards! Supporting the OCC initiative<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Witness the incredible locals taking ownership , showing leadership, and expressing immense interest in the OCC initiative. They are not just participants but passionate ocean stewards and guardians of Niue Moana Mahu , dedicated and committed to protecting our marine ecosystems leading the way towards a sustainable future for our oceans and people.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1026,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-1020","our-actions","type-our-actions","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"blocksy_meta":[],"acf":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20230120_155143-scaled.jpg",1920,2560,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20230120_155143-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20230120_155143-225x300.jpg",225,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20230120_155143-768x1024.jpg",768,1024,true],"large":["https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20230120_155143-768x1024.jpg",768,1024,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20230120_155143-1152x1536.jpg",1152,1536,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/20230120_155143-1536x2048.jpg",1536,2048,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"niueoceanwide","author_link":"https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/author\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Niue Ocean Wide Trust Awards First Resource Management Advisory Committee (RMAC) Village Grants The Niue Ocean Wide Trust (NOW Trust) proudly announces the first round of Resource Management Advisory Committee (RMAC) village grants, a milestone in Niue\u2019s journey toward community-led ocean conservation and sustainable development.Seven villages&nbsp;Alofi South, Mutalau, Liku, Toi, Hakupu, Avatele, and Tuapa&nbsp; have&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/our-actions\/1020","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/our-actions"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/our-actions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1026"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1020"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.littlerocket.co.nz\/NOW\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1020"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}