NHS multipurpose classroom & solar panels installation funded by the government of Japan
Niue High school is the recipient of the Grassroots Human Security Project Grant from the Government of Japan to build a multi-purpose classroom and installation of solar power generation equipment at the school.
The project is worth more than $287,000. The multi-purpose classroom will be used for supplementary lessons, special support classes for students with special needs and for vocational education and training.
The solar power generation equipment is expected to contribute 20% of the school’s annual energy consumption which in turn will contribute toward the government’s target of achieving 80% renewable energy generation by 2025.
BCN News spoke with Mr. Minoru Kirihara, the First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Wellington who said that the Japanese government is very happy to help support Niue High school and the people of Niue.
“We are very very happy to assist your legendary traditional high school whose students are Niue’s future. Niue High school is Niue itself” says Mr. Kirihara.
He said that this project with Niue High School is the fifth project funded through the Japanese Grassroots human security grant projects since Niue and Japan first established diplomatic relations in 2015.
The grants programme has funded a total of $1,085,641 including this current Niue High School project.
The first project was started in 2016 with the Sea track upgrade for the Hakupu village worth NZ$231,560
In 2018 the grassroots grant funded the Improvement of the Sea Tracks and Marine Facilities in the Western regions of Niue worth NZ$220,000
In 2019 another project was funded for the provision of Equipment for Organic Farmers for the needs of a Healthier Niue worth NZ$169,996
In 2020 the Japanese government’s Grassroots grant funded the project for the Upgrade and Provision of Equipment for the Niue High School Health Clinic worth NZ$176,684.
Mr. Hinaro Kirihara told BCN news that Niue High school and the health department are very important to him personally because of the efforts of the late Mrs. Figo Kulatea-Ioane who worked with him to formulate some of these projects for the health department and for Niue High School.
Mr. Kirihara extended his condolences to the principal of Niue High School Charles Ioane on the loss of his wife Figo who passed away from cancer last year. He also paid respect to the people of Niue for their work to keep Niue safe from the virus.
“I pay respect to the Niue people who have fought against this pandemic during this very very difficult period. You are surviving, you are protecting so great respect to your people”
“Our ambassador and myself would like to visit in person to strengthen our friendship with the people of Niue” said Mr Kirihara.
The grant contract for the Niue High school multi-purpose classroom and solar system project was signed last month by the Japanese Ambassador to New Zealand ITO Koichi and the Director-General of Education and Social Services Mrs Gaylene Tasmania.
The Grassroots human security grants from the government of Japan are available for applications until May this year. Those eligible to apply are NGOS who have been in operation in Niue for at least two years, Local government Units and Public schools, and Research and Medical institutes. For more information email development@wl.mofa.go.jp
