WELLINGTON, 15 MARCH 2018 (MFAT) — New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters today announced that three New Zealand Transport Accident Investigators will assist with the investigation into the sinking of the MV Butiraoi in Kiribati.
“New Zealand was deeply saddened by the sinking of the MV Butiraoi in January this year and the large loss of life,” Peters says.
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“In response to a request from the Government of Kiribati New Zealand has agreed to provide funding to send three staff from the New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission to assist Kiribati’s Ministry of Transport with the investigation.
“The New Zealand Government is pleased to be able to assist Kiribati with their investigation. The Transport Accident Investigators will play a role in helping establish the causes of the accident and make recommendations for addressing safety issues.”.
Meanwhile, on Kiritimati Island, a South Canterbury-based renewable energy company is bringing light back into the lives of Kiritimati Island residents, ending 40 years of darkness.
The last street light was switched off on the remote north Pacific island in 1978, but the lights are being returned by Infratec, part of the South Canterbury Alpine Energy Group.
A total of 66 lights have been installed as part of the Kirimati Renewable Energy Project.
The project is funded by the EU Development Fund and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Kiritimati Island project began in August 2016 and is expected to be completed in April 2018….. PACNEWS [/restrict]