Dame Cindy and Dr Davies are in Rēkohu/the Chatham Islands for a two-day visit. This morning's weather was perfect for the powhiri at Whakamaharatanga Marae, hosted by representatives of Ngati Mutunga and Hokotehi Moriori Trust. Their Excellencies then visited Te One School to meet many of the children who live on Chatham Island. Dame Cindy attended a Q and A session with senior students, while Dr Davies was escorted by junior children to see a magical 'wilderness area' of tree-huts, swings and bush trails. After experiencing the tranquility of the renowned Admiral Garden created by Lois and Val Croon, they travelled north to the site of an ancient Moriori village, where they were escorted by Ricki and Cody Hapi, from the Hokotehi Moriori Trust, to see rakau momori in an imposing grove of kopi trees.
To read Dame Cindy's speech at Whakamaharatanga Marae, go to this link Powhiri at Whakamaharatanga Marae.
To see images of her visit, go to this link Chatham Islands regional visit - Day One
