The first call today was to Kōpinga Marae, where Dame Cindy and Dr Davies were welcomed by Ricki Hapi and Moriori elders. The marae is the centre of the revival of Te Re Moriori, cultural practices and traditions, and promotes the Moriori message of peace.
Rana Solomon accompanied Dame Cindy and Dr Davies to see a statue of her ancestor Tommy Solomon, located on the south-eastern tip of Chatham Island. Tommy Solomon’s descendants erected the statue in memory of all Moriori.
A visit to the Chatham Islands Health Centre brought back memories for Dr Davies, who spent some years as a Medical Officer on another remote island location, the Falkland Islands. Dame Cindy and Dr Davies met Dr Rex Yule, Principal Nurse Sally Lanauze, and nurses and administrators.
Dame Cindy and Dr Davies issued an open invitation to Chatham Islanders to attend a community lunch at the Den, and enjoyed meeting as many people as they could.
The afternoon provided opportunities to learn more about life on the Chathams with a visit to the Chatham Islands Museum, and discussion with council staff and councillors.
To read Dame Cindy's speech at the Kopinga Marae, go to this link Kopinga Marae .
To read Dame Cindy's speech at the Community Lunch, go to this link Community Lunch, Chatham Islands.
To see images from the day's events, go to this link Chatham Islands Regional Visit - Day Two.
