Celebrating Niue's Progress in Climate Readiness & Ocean Safety
We’re excited to share highlights from the recent wave inundation workshop held by SPC in partnership with Niue Met Services.
During this incredible workshop we were introduced to the current work and amazing continuous efforts that Pacific-Community-SPC is doing in collaboration with local partners here in Niue and to help develop innovative tools and strategies that will play a crucial role in enhancing Niue’s climate risk readiness and preparedness and the safety of local fishermen and fisherwomen. These efforts are not just about monitoring cyclones and protecting our island but also about safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of our seafaring community. This initiative aligns perfectly with Niue Ocean Wide’s commitment to climate risk reduction and capacity building, ensuring that we preserve traditional knowledge while embracing modern solutions. We’re also proud to highlight the parametric agreements that contribute to the protection of our precious waters and ensure the safety of everyone who ventures out to sea. A huge thank you to SPC and all our partners for their unwavering dedication to protecting our oceans and our people. Together, we’re building a safer, more resilient future for Niue!
Hervé Damlamian –Team Leader of Ocean Prediction & Monitoring, SPC
“Those systems will provide seven days in advance high resolution wave information and inundation impact information seven days in advance.
We’ve developed in partnership with MET service some new prediction tools, high resolution wave forecast, and we have ongoing work working on inundation forecast. Those systems will provide seven days in advance high resolution wave information and inundation impact information seven days in advance.
It’s always feeling privileged when we have the opportunity to come to Niue and work in this beautiful island with people that are always so warmly welcoming us.”
Hervé highlighted the progress in strengthening ocean forecasting and early warning systems for Niue. In partnership with the Meteorological Service, SPC has developed high-resolution wave and inundation forecasting tools that provide information up to seven days in advance. He expressed his gratitude for Niue’s warm hospitality and emphasized SPC’s commitment to supporting the island in building resilience.
Rossy Mitiepo – Niue Meteorological Service
"For Met Services, we want to see how that information will support fishermen or fisherwomen in terms of safe and security, in terms of sustainable fishing, in terms of subsistence living here in Niue, to improve our livelihoods and especially to protect ourselves from climate change and being climate resilient.
We’re happy that Niue Oceanwide is now coming on board. The Niue Oceanwide Trust, which has just been established and is now growing. We are very happy to hear from Brendan Pasisi that the support could continue for the year’s future in terms of increasing the number of waves to monitor our oceans.”
Rossy Mitiepo shared how wave forecasts are advancing to meet Niue’s needs and priorities. She stressed the importance of these tools for fishermen and fisherwomen in ensuring safety at sea, supporting sustainable fishing, and protecting livelihoods against climate change. Rossy also welcomed the growing role of the Niue Ocean Wide Trust in sustaining long-term ocean monitoring and resilience efforts, noting her optimism for continued support in the years ahead.
Brendon Pasisi – Niue Ocean Wide Trust
“It’s really of primary importance to what we’re doing because the impacts of wave inundation and ocean stuff not only provides for the potential damage to the island and infrastructure, but equally important, what the coastal development poses as a risk to the marine environment. Predicting what kind of impacts there might be physical on the reef and around the island, that’d be really important. Also in terms of the parametric insurance that we’ve started contributing towards with the Niue government for not only Niue, but Beveridge Reef as well. I think extrapolating from that to do some work around the runoff modeling and mapping, which, with the roading development and other infrastructure development on the coastal areas, means identifying what the risks are from them to the marine environment.”
Brendon Pasisi underlined the critical importance of wave and ocean predictions for Niue’s future. He noted their relevance not only for infrastructure protection but also for safeguarding reefs, marine ecosystems, and coastal communities. He emphasized the value of accurate forecasts for local fishers, as well as the role of parametric insurance in building resilience for Niue and Beveridge Reef. Looking ahead, Brendon called attention to the need for modeling runoff from coastal infrastructure to better protect the marine environment.
Catching up with our young ocean custodians
To close out the school holidays, four of our young divers certified just last year joined us for a fun dive that highlighted both skill and enthusiasm. These keen learners have already been building on their training, with the girls taking extra courses to stay active and confident in the water. The day began with a little lighthearted competition, testing how quickly they could assemble and disassemble their gear. (We can confirm it got very competitive!) We then reviewed important pre-dive and buddy checks before heading out to explore one of Niue’s stunning reefs. It was a fantastic day of learning, teamwork, and discovery. Judging by the smiles, the experience was as rewarding as it was fun!
Strengthening RMAC Partnerships
for Lasting Impact - Moving forward with Implementation plans
NOW with Mutalau RMAC Representatives
Over the past two weeks, Niue Ocean Wide connected with the Mutalau and Tuapa RMACs through dedicated one-on-one sessions. These engagements are part of our open invitation to all RMACs, and we are grateful to those who have responded so far.
NOW with Tuapa RMAC Representatives
The purpose of these sessions is to provide support throughout the entire funding cycle starting with the first-year allocation of $20,000 and continuing with guidance over the next two years. By helping groups navigate project proposals, address questions, and build capacity, we aim to ensure every RMAC thrives.
We invite more RMACs to join us. Whether it’s in planning, brainstorming, or executing projects, we’re here to walk alongside you. Together, let’s keep the momentum strong and create lasting impact for our communities.
Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with Students that have furthered career in the marine space following NOW funded PADI dive course !
Empowering Vagahau Niue, Supporting Ocean Conservation
Every now and then, we shine a light on Niueans making an extraordinary impact. This month, we celebrate Birtha Lisimoni-Tongahai, a champion for Niue’s culture and community.At the recent Vagahau Niue Educators Conference - VN Retreat 2025 in New Zealand, Birtha proudly represented the Taue Vagahau Niue, presenting on the importance of sustaining Vagahau Niue as the treasured language of our people. Her voice joined many others working tirelessly to strengthen bilingual education, empower teachers, and ensure our language thrives for future generations.
Vagahau Niue Trust Chairperson: Carissa Mccay & Chairperson of the Taue Vagahau Niue (Rep) - Niue Language Commission: Birtha Tongahai
Beyond her role in education, Birtha’s generosity shines through her sponsorship of Ocean Conservation Credits (OCCs) that was presented to the Vagahau Niue Trust in New Zeeland a symbolic act linking Niue’s cultural preservation with its global ocean conservation leadership. Fakaaue lahi, Birtha, for carrying Vagahau Niue and Niue’s ocean legacy with pride.
These are the latest updates from NOW made possible by your support!
Thanks to your contributions as OCC sponsors, incredible progress is happening on the ground in Niue and on the global stage. Your valued support is driving real impact protecting our ocean, uplifting our people, and inspiring the region and world.
Fakaaue lahi mahaki, oue tulou - Thank you, from all of us at Niue Ocean Wide Trust.
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Stay tuned for more awesome updates coming up!
