Tuvalu

A DigitalNZ Story by National Library of New Zealand Topics

Tuvalu, one of the smallest countries of the world is made up of eight coral atolls. This set covers the history, government, culture and traditions of Tuvalu, including the devastation of climate change. SCIS no: 1942439

social_sciences, arts, history, health, science, technology

Image: Tuvalu women performing at the 8th Festival of Pacific Arts, Noumea, New Caledonia

Tuvalu women perform in New Caledonia

The Pacific Arts Festival or FESTPAC is held every four years by a different Oceania country. This photograph shows Tuvalu women performing the traditional fatele dance, at the 8th Pacific Arts Festival held in New Caledonia in 2000. Their costumes made from locally sourced material such as pandanus leaves or fibre from hibiscus plants and are naturally dyed in bright colours for the occasion. The strips are attached to a waistband to form a titi (skirt). Included with the attire are headbands, armbands and wristbands, also made from natural materials.

Tuvalu women performing at the 8th Festival of Pacific Arts, Noumea, New Caledonia

Alexander Turnbull Library

USER STORY

Tuvalu

DigitalNZ

Article

Tuvalu Language Week Vaiaso o te ‘Gana Tuvalu

Services to Schools

Article

Tuvalu Language Week

Services to Schools

Tuvaluans celebrate Tuvaluan Language Week

Radio New Zealand

Other

Tuvalu Language Week - MPP

Services to Schools

Article

Tuvaluans use language week to highlight rising sea-level fears

Radio New Zealand

Tuvalu Clothes - Tales from Te Papa episode 48

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Tuvalu dance group

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Article

Tuvalu celebrates Independence Day

Radio New Zealand

Article

Tuvalu considers constitution change

Radio New Zealand

USER STORY

Tuvalu battles climate change

DigitalNZ

Tuvalu climate change refugees denied asylum: RNZ Checkpoint

Radio New Zealand

Article

Tuvalu launches human rights plan

Radio New Zealand

New Flags Flying - Kiribati and Tuvalu

Radio New Zealand

Article

Tuvalu constable looks to inspire women leaders

Radio New Zealand

Article

Tuvalu faces environmental threat from within

Radio New Zealand

Washing Hole Funafuti. From the album: Views in the Pacific Islands

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Audio

PM Jacinda Ardern pledges $150m Pacific climate funding

Radio New Zealand

'Show me your wallet!' 'Show me your passport!'

These two images contrast how New Zealand deals with visitors. While New Zealand Immigration welcomes tourists as an economic benefit, there is no allotted budget to provide humanitarian aid to visitors who fall critically ill while on holiday in New Zealand. It was around this time (2003) that a decision had to be made by the Ministry of Health – should the budget for medical treatment of visitors should be taken from the local hospital budget or the Government’s foreign aid budget?

Evans, Malcolm, 1945- :'Show me your wallet!' 'Show me your passport!' New Zealand Herald, 13 May 2003.

Alexander Turnbull Library

Hurricane at the islands

A 1907 hurricane destroyed houses and coconut trees on the island of Nukulaelae in Tuvalu. Even today high tides and tropical cyclones are some of the extreme events that can cause huge damage to the island’s infrastructure. High winds and torrential rain can create storm surges that flood the islands, damaging trees, agriculture, roads and buildings. The highest point in Tuvalu is only 4.6 metres above sea level, making it even more vulnerable to flooding during tropical storms.

HURRICANE AT THE ISLANDS. (Otago Daily Times 22-6-1907)

National Library of New Zealand

Article