Science Centres: Pacific Rim

Two technical staff from Pacific Island states have been on work placement at NIWA as part of a Ministry of Foreign Affairs International Development Group initiative to help develop technical skills within Pacific Island governments.

Learning new aquaculture skills at Bream Bay

Ronnie Posala, from the Solomon Islands, is based at NIWA’s Bream Bay Aquaculture Research Centre near Whangarei for six months. At home, Ronnie is a technical aide for the organisation 'WorldFish Center'. He works mainly on community-based aquaculture projects with a focus on coral and clam farming.

While at Bream Bay, he has been working with broodstock, learning more about feeding regimes and other aquaculture operational aspects. On his return to the Solomon Islands, he will pass on new skills to his team of 11 other technical staff, and also work with around 50 village farmers who produce clams and coral for the aquarium trade.
 

New hydrology skills will help conserve Samoa's water

Masina Ngau Chun is a senior hydrology officer with the Water Resources Division in Samoa’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Masina has spent three months based in Christchurch, working alongside NIWA’s South Island hydrology field staff as they undertake routine water quality and quantity data collection work. As well as learning new skills in field data collection, Masina has also been improving her data analysis skills.

Masina Ngau Chun carrying out the familiar task of raingauge calibration, but in unfamiliar surroundings – high in the Fiordland mountains – on a rain-gauge servicing trip with NIWA’s Dunedin field team. Masina learnt about some new technologies, such as telemetered data collection, during her assignment with NIWA.  [Photo: Evan Baddock]

“The main problems we face back home involve water shortages, and water wastage,” says Masina. “I’ve learnt a lot about using technology to help with water conservation.” She will be passing on her new skills to a team of around ten colleagues on her return to Samoa.

The NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs Short Term Training Awards enable individuals from selected Pacific countries to undertake vocational and/or skills training of up to one year in duration in New Zealand. For more details contact the nearest NZ High Commission.

Contact:  Doug Ramsay