NZ would throw tiny Tuvalu a lifeline, says Goff
© 2000 Reuters Limited
June 21, 2000
WELLINGTON - If the tiny island nation of Tuvalu were to sink beneath the waves, then New Zealand and other South Pacific countries would come to its rescue, New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff said on Tuesday.
Tuvalu has asked New Zealand to accept about 3,000 Tuvalans who could lose their coral atoll homeland through global warming.
"If the islands were to become uninhabitable, then of course New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific and other countries would come to their assistance," Goff told reporters, adding that Tuvalu was far from crisis point.
"If global warming does come about, then they are certainly vulnerable, but the testing to date shows that the situation hasn't deteriorated," he said. "It is being monitored in terms of sea levels."
Tuvalu, which lies 1,050 km (650 miles) north of Fiji, has a gross national product of about $3 million and is known as the world's smallest economy.
Its Polynesian culture is a conservative one, and the community is isolated from outside influence both because of its remoteness and its few facilities for visitors.
New Zealand has a work permit scheme but not permanent residency for Tuvalans, but Goff said this could be extended.
"We may look at a scheme for Tuvalu but on fairly restricted numbers. You're talking about double figures not four figures, on a per annum basis," he said.