Iririki is a privately leased island, located in

Mele Bay Mele Bay is a bay on the southwestern coast of Efate, Vanuatu. It is the main bay which leads into the smaller Vila Bay when approaching the capital of Port Vila by sea. Ifira Island Ifira is an offshore island of efate located in Shefa Provinc ...

, near

Port Vila Port Vila (french: Port-Vila), or simply Vila (; french: Vila; bi, Vila ), is the capital and largest city of Vanuatu. It is located on the island of Efate. Its population in the last census (2009) was 44,040, an increase of 35% on the pr ...

, the Capital of

Vanuatu Vanuatu ( or ; ), officially the Republic of Vanuatu (french: link=no, République de Vanuatu; bi, Ripablik blong Vanuatu), is an island country located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is east of no ...

. The island is owned and operated by Australian businessmen Shane Pettiona, Darren Pettiona and Peter Stockley.

Current usage

Iririki Island Resort continues to operate as a resort.

History

Iririki Island is the traditional land of Ifira Islanders. *1910 – The first British Hospital in the New Hebrides was established on Iririki Island in memory of the well-known Presbyterian missionary John G Paton. Patients were seen for such ailments as broken bones, meningitis, and rheumatic fever, and Pacific islanders were trained in tropical disease management. *1913 – Iririki Island housed the British Residency who leased the island from missionaries for 99 years. The Residency was located at the peak of Iririki (reached by climbing 179 steps) affording it magnificent views to Port Vila and the surrounding bay. The original household was built for the Queen for an overnight visit, and subsequently accommodated the British High Commissioner. *1980 – On independence, the residence was abandoned although is currently in use. *1983 – After consideration by the Ifira Islanders, they leased the Island to Peter Nicholson to develop it into a resort. *1987 – Cyclone Uma hit Iririki Island and Port Vila with winds and flooding, with the resort taking up a year to return to full operation. *1991 – Former Geelong AFL player Rick and Ngaire Graham took over Iririki as owners, turning the resort into a child-free sanctuary. *2004 – The Resort was sold to a private consortium of Australian businessmen *2009 – Policy changed to a family friendly resort *2015 – Cyclone Pam bore down on Iririki at speeds over per hour, requiring considerable refurbishment. The resort was relaunched in May 2016.

Language

Bislama is the official language. In addition, English and French are also widespread. Other Indigenous languages are also spoken in the city.

Climate

Port Vila has a tropical climate, with little variance in temperature throughout the year. Temperatures can reach , with an average low of . The region also enjoys southeast trade winds. Months of November to February are generally warm and humid, with April to October displaying optimal weather conditions.

References

* Freeman, T.E.A., (2006), ''Doctor in Vanuatu: A Memoir'', Institute of Pacific Studies * Rodman, M.R., (2001), ''Houses Far From Home: British Colonial Space in the New Hebrides'', University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu, USA. {{authority control Islands of Vanuatu Private islands of Oceania Shefa Province Resorts in Vanuatu Hotels in Vanuatu