Letter: Atiu Port Project 1974-75

Dear Editor, Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the completion and opening of Atiu Harbour by Sir Albert and Lady Henry in July 1975.

The port, wharf and slipway were funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and built by engineers from the 1st Field Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Engineers. It would be impossible for the New Zealand Army today to complete a project of this scale.

This was a very large project, from the planning stage to completion, plus additional work carried out in 1977. It involved many parties, firstly the New Zealand Army Corps of Engineers (Engineers), but also other Army services, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the New Zealand High Commission, Silk and Boyd Shipping and of course the people of Atian who assisted the Engineers greatly throughout the construction process. New Zealand sent three teams, two in 1974 and the third arriving in January 1975, each with about 40 men, plus a small team of six in 1977. The work was very demanding, considered dangerous at times, and subject to the changing weather, tides, high seas and cyclones, long monsoon rains, and importantly shipping was also very susceptible to the above challenges.

In July 1975, after the port was completed, Sir Albert and Lady Elizabeth arrived on the MV Manuvai, accompanied by Cook Island Government officials, the New Zealand High Commissioner and senior New Zealand Army officers, to open the port. The opening ceremony was held to great cheer from the island and was a grand occasion for the Attian people, followed by dancing, drumming, singing and of course a grand umukai performance.

I had the opportunity to visit Rarotonga last May and June, and after serving with the Third Brigade, returning to Atiu in 1977 to work in the harbour, I wondered if the anniversary should be commemorated in some way. To this end, I contacted Atiu Island Council and was told that this was something they were keen to see and would be discussed at Cabinet level. I was delighted to receive such a positive response.

As a courtesy, I wrote to the New Zealand High Commissioner, Her Excellency Ms. Tui Dewes, explaining the background of the Atiu Port project and the details of how it was implemented and all the people involved. I explained to her that I felt it would be useful for her as the matter had most likely been raised with the High Commissioner so that she would not be left in the dark. And I hoped that she would support the commemoration of this occasion.

Unfortunately, I have not received any response from her to date, let alone an acknowledgment. This is unfortunate considering the huge role played by the then High Commissioner, Mr. Terry O’Brien, and his predecessors and their staff in the project.

I share the hope of the surviving soldiers who served at Atiu that this anniversary, however small, will be supported by the New Zealand High Commission.

careful,

Gerry Mitten

Captain (retired)

Royal New Zealand Engineers