28 Jun 2005

New Zealand provides radio transmitters in Vanuatu to help keep rural people informed

7:16 pm on 28 June 2005

New Zealand's High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Paul Willis, says a belief in the importance of nationwide broadcasting was one of the reasons behind the decison to fund two new transmitters.

New Zealand has provided 61,000 US dollars for Vanuatu's public radio to buy medium wave tranmitters to be stationed at Port Vila and on Santo.

Mr Willis, says public broadcasting is needed to keep the nation informed and is an important part of good governance:

"I think it is absolutely fundamental for these island nations, archipelagos, small islands, spread over a large area, where the action happens in the capital and its important people know what's going on."

New Zealand's High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Paul Willis