Cook Islands Community Reception

Ladies and Gentlemen, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and Sign Language.

Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and (Sign)

Specifically I greet you: High Commissioner, Your Excellency Tepure Tapaitau and Miera Tapaitau; Pa Ariki, Ui Mataiapo, Ui Rangatira, Church and Community Leaders, Ladies and Gentlemen.

It has taken ten months during the term as Governor General for it to happen but I can assure you it is a much-looked-forward-to matter of great pleasure for my wife Susan and I to welcome you, as Cook Islands community members, to Government House this evening. We are delighted to be hosts of Cook Islands people who live here in Aotearoa and to celebrate the unique relationship between our two countries.

This evening is an opportunity to meet and mingle, but it is an opportunity for me to connect up with you all, an important facet of my office as Governor-General of the realm of New Zealand - of which the Cook Islands is part.

The beginnings of our formal relationship were in 1901, and through the Cook Islands Act of self-determination in 1965, New Zealand and the Cook Islands have shared a close friendship that is held in great esteem by both countries and one that is akin to family.

The family relationship has more of a resonance in a Polynesian setting because Susan and I have been at the spot in Rarotonga where the three stones point towards Aotearoa and in our journeys we know of the shared heritage of coming from Hawaiki and the physical characteristic of a piece of white hair that is found among some Cook Islanders and some Maori New Zealanders in Ngati Porou.

The fact that today we have such things as common citizenship and a shared currency reflects the unique and lasting nature of this relationship.

Later this year there will occur the first official visit to the Cook Islands. This visit is an important part of every Governor General undertaking the duties of this Office and is something to which we look forward to very much.  As I have mentioned we have both been to the Cooks more than once as tourists, we both have Cook Islands friends in New Zealand, and lastly I as a lawyer, judge and ombudsman in earlier careers have had and maintain warm professional and personal linkages with Cook Island people

The beauty and peace of the Cooks, and the warm hospitality of the locals and things such as community singing in church are memorable matters which we look forward to experiencing.

Tourism is, of course, one of the Cook Islands' great commodities, followed by fish and pearl exports.

The country has maintained a buoyant and competitive tourist sector for many years and I am told of good things like recent growth in commercial flights out of New Zealand, and the reintroduction of a connection from Rarotonga direct to Los Angeles. This if it is maintained will add further momentum to the country's tourism industry.

The traffic between our two countries is not just one way, of course. Each year, Cook Islanders visit New Zealand to connect with family and friends living here.

There is of course, a sizeable Cook Islands population in New Zealand. I am advised that at the latest Census count, there are nearly 60,000 Cook Islanders living in New Zealand. This represents the second largest Pacific community in New Zealand.

Yours is a community that contributes greatly to life here in New Zealand. You have strong representation in all aspects of life - from sport to the arts, in the community sector and in business.  Some Small number of examples will suffice.  The names of Sir Tom Davis and Dr Joseph Williams as medical practitioners - let alone other contributions.

We have all enjoyed the talents of music artists such as Annie Crummer, Junior Rikiau, and Artist/Designer Ane O'Neil.

In business, many New Zealanders have benefited from the business expertise of Mike Pero, and business consultant Hamish Crooks on the Board of the Pacific Business Trust which aims to encourage and support more Pacific people into their own businesses. In the Public Sector there are many CookIsland people such as Adrian Orr a Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank working for the benefit of all New Zealanders.

CookIsland women have been prominent leaders with names such as Jean Mitaera and the late JasmineUnderhill who served her people for many years as Deputy Mayor of Porirua being memorable.

And on the sports field names of CookIsland people such as Silver Fern Margaret Matenga, and the Rugby League the Iro brothers are legend.

Importantly too, my sense is that as Cook Islanders living in New Zealand you strive to maintain a strong sense of your Pacific heritage, and you are successful in this endeavour.

Yours are among the bright Pacific colours which illuminate our country and help make it the vibrant and distinctive nation it is. I encourage you to continue to preserve and nurture your Cook Islands heritage within the New Zealand setting.

Both Susan and I look very much forward to talking with as many of you this evening as possible, and reflecting as best we can, this spirit of the Cook Islands and Cook Islanders being such a vital part of contemporary New Zealand.

I began speaking in all the New Zealand realm languages.  May I close by speaking in New Zealand Maori, issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa