TONGA

“The pandemic and the volcanic eruption drew us apart for a number of months, which somehow cooled the spirit of working together and the warmth of facing each other. So, having the recovery gathering for the team, we found that it rekindled our light to bring our warriors back together in the arena to continue fighting against climate change. Therefore, there’s hope to revive the world for a better change ahead of us.” Taufu’i àe Valu Naufahu, PCW, Council of Elder, Polynesia Rep.   

Our Pacific Climate Warriors Recovery Gathering in Tonga brought members of their community together to share experiences post-volcanic eruption and plan ahead for future work in the fight for climate justice.

As part of their recovery efforts in the lead-up to their gathering, they’ve been helping support the community of Haveluiku with an installation of a new water system. 

The initial water tank that supplied clean water to the village over the years degraded due to climatic conditions, disasters that have been exacerbated by the climate crisis and recently, the volcanic eruption that caused the total collapse of the system.   

Members of our PCW Tonga team put together a proposal to engage the Global Greengrants Fund to finance a new water system, which they managed to receive and accelerated the project to completion on 5th October, supplying clean drinking water to the village of Haveluiku.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Our PNG team, led by coordinator, Vinzealhar Nen, organised a painting session with new recruits by the beach, followed by a beach cleanup and lunch. This brought together children from the neighbourhood and was an opportunity for her to socialise the work we do at Pacific Climate Warriors. Our PNG team intends to have a follow-up information session with new members later in October to see the different ways they can get involved and support our work in the region. 

“Education and Awareness are Important, with the work we do, it’s good we tell people about it, so they are aware. Young people need to understand our responsibility to serve our communities because this is the future we will inherit and are already living in it ” Vinzealhar Nen, Coordinator, PCW, PNG. 

SAMOA

Our Pacific Climate Warriors in Samoa brought together 40 people (20 adults and 20 youth) to take part in our Recovery Gathering. The event took place at Avalua Beach, Sapapalii Village, where they witnessed firsthand the damages caused by sea level rise, flooding and developments on the coastline. For many, this was an amazing experience being able to finally support the restoration of the Avalua Mangrove Reserve, as this holds historical significance to their ancestors and will continue to be a source of many resources for future generations to come. 

“Many Hands Make Light Work means that preserving our natural resources, especially our mangroves, is not one man’s job it is everyone’s responsibility to plant, nurture and make sure that it is contributing to our safety as vulnerable residents of small islands to climate change. One person cannot plant the whole shore, and one person cannot protect the whole island from sea level rise, but it is everyone’s responsibility” Siusiusalafai Papalii, PCW, Samoa

PORTLAND, USA

The PCW PDX (Portland) team gathering was held at a local Hawaiian restaurant, where people came together to share food and catch up. Those who attended included volunteers from the “Food Box” program, the Samoa Pacific District Corporation and members of the Pasifika community. A total of 12 people attended the event and got the opportunity to hear from the team on locally-led efforts and the team’s participation in the global event. The PCW PDX team look forward to hosting a “Food Box” repack and sharing the importance of having Pasifika participate in the Global  Climate Change movement. 

FIJI

Our warriors in Fiji held their Recovery Gathering in Suva. This was an opportunity for them to bring newer warriors and a diversified team that now consists of representatives in the maritime zone, including Rabi and their youngest members are in years four and ten. The day kicked off with a welcoming and orientation session, followed by lunch, team bonding over paintball and concluding the day with Kava and Talanoa. 

“PCW Fiji’s recent Recovery Gathering was an opportunity to bring the team together face-to-face. When the pandemic hit, most of our work had to move online and gathering provided the space to reconnect and plan for upcoming activities. The event consisted of an induction to newer members, as well as team building. This was also a moment of reflection and rebuilding as we work towards a sustainable and resilient future for the Pacific.” Alisi Rabukawaqa Nacewa, PCW, Council of Elder Melanesia Rep. 

AMERICAN SAMOA

“This initial meeting was set outdoors, visiting a site where local villages have been seeing first-hand the effects of climate change in the form of damaging tides on their coast seawall. It was valuable to hear from communities and seeing the climate change-induced struggles they face daily to remind us of this ever-growing issue, especially for us Pacific Islanders who are at the forefront of this crisis. It has been encouraging to hear from different parts of the islands who also share similar struggles and raise awareness of these issues amongst the community. Moving forward, it would be great to get the scientific community engaged in more coastal rehabilitation programs and outreach to help local coastal communities naturally enhance their coastlines and help restore them.” Tilali Scanlan, Coordinator, PCW Amercian Samoa.  

TĀMAKI MAKAURUA (AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND)

The recovery gathering for the PCW Tāmaki Makaurau team was spent looking at the Team Strategy (the WHYs, HOWs, WHENs etc.) post-covid and looking back on the PCW history to recenter the work.  The team used the Rivers tool to map out how the movement began and the factors that have steered the team to where it is today. 

It was also a time to share stories about frontline communities, share tears and laughs, and look at the team’s sustainability. Moving forward, the team will also focus on the admin aspects of the team, which will set the team up for success in the future. 

TE WHANGANUI A TARA (WELLINGTON, NZ)

The Whanganui a Tara gathering dinner was attended by the Warriors and some of their kainga (family) with the hope to recognise that the work carried out is only possible with the support from our kainga. The Warriors of the leadership team attended the planning day as they planned out the remainder of 2022, with a total of 16 people attending the two events.

The goal of the Te Whanganui a Tara gathering was to foster relationships – this was achieved by building and finalising plans for the rest of the year and planning to engage in a mini-campaign for the local elections in Te Whanganui a Tara and a climate workshop to focus on community awareness and engagement (recruitment). 

QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

“Rebuilding momentum for us here in the diaspora meant that we needed to meaningfully and purposefully reconnect with culture, our ancestors and each other. This is how we can move forward at the speed of trust and continue the fight for climate justice” 

The QLD PCW team had a therapeutic morning paddling out on the water and later sharing a hearty bbq breakfast by the water. 

Malo to the Redcliffe Outrigger Canoe Club for sharing their love for and knowledge of vaka/paddling with us.

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

The Victoria team retreat over three nights allowed the time to catch up and re-unit. Team activities like a Karaoke night and social outings with the team enabled them to explore and rebuild after a long time apart. 

There was an orientation day for recruited warriors into the movement and an open floor discussion on the team’s proposed plans to organise a grassroots strategy plan targeting Viva Energies’ destructive gas expansion floating terminal plant project in Geelong. It was also a good way to celebrate the gathering with a family feast provided by West Papuan Mama and PCW’s Mother.