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Ursula Rakova, who was born in the Carteret Islands, is visiting New Zealand.
The Carteret atoll is only 1.2 meters above sea level.
Originally there were six islands, but Huene was split in half by the sea and so now there are seven.
In 1995 a wave ate away most of the shorelines of Piul and Huene islands.
Han island has suffered from complete inundation. Video
Ursula is executive director of Tulele Peisa (“Sailing in the wind on our own”) and a pioneer in the environmental movement in Papua New Guinea.
Faced with coastal erosion, flooding, and loss of traditional food sources Ursula and her community negotiated with the Bougainville Diocese of the Catholic Church for land on the mainland to resettle some of the islanders.
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is working with the Diocese of Bougainville to build sustainable agricultural and fishing livelihood programmes for Carteret Islanders and mainland Bougainvilleans.
It is also promoting awareness of the environmental challenges that the people of Oceania face.
During her visit to New Zealand, Ursula is meeting fairtrade and cocoa importers to expand the markets her people are growing cocoa and other cash crops for.
“My vision is that Carteret Islanders are living sustainable livelihoods and are safe and secure wherever they are,” says Ursula.
“That they have enough land space to grow food and cash crops to sustain their family incomes.”
Situated 86 km Northeast of Bougainville, the Carterets form part of the autonomous region.
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