Dame Cindy and Dr Davies returned from an official visit to the Cook Islands yesterday – Her Excellency’s first to the Cook Islands since taking office. The four-day trip represented an opportunity to acknowledge some of those special connections between our two countries, and attend events reflecting Dame Cindy and Dr Davies’ interests in education, health, and wellbeing.
Upon arrival onto Rarotonga on Wednesday, Their Excellencies were very warmly welcomed with a special Kiriti Maro Tai ceremony at Atupare Marae. As part of the ceremony, Dame Cindy placed a mauri stone sourced from Government House Auckland at the pito of the marae, symbolising the deep and enduring connection between the New Zealand and Cook Islands peoples. Dame Cindy also presented Te Ui Ariki with the gift of a specially commissioned hoe, or paddle, chosen to represent the whakapapa links between New Zealand and the Cook Islands through our shared voyaging ancestors. You can find more images from the turou here.
On Thursday morning, Dame Cindy met with the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Hon Mark Brown. Dame Cindy and Prime Minister Brown discussed the very special relationship between New Zealand and the Cook Islands – our deep historical, cultural, and interpersonal links – and hopes for the future of that relationship. You can find more images from their meeting here.
Following Dame Cindy’s meeting with Prime Minister Brown, Her Excellency attended the inaugural graduation ceremony at Te Vānanga Are Tapere o Takitumu – the Cook Islands’ first performing arts school. The school has a Tuakana-Teina relationship with Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu in Hastings, and seeks to ensure the retention and strengthening of Cook Islands reo and tikanga.
As Dame Cindy said, quoting the whakataukī in her speech: ‘Ko taku reo taku ohooho, ko taku reo taku māpihi mauria. My language is my awakening, my language is the window to my soul.’ You can find more images from the graduation ceremony here and Dame Cindy's speech here.
Dame Cindy and Dr Davies then attended the launch of the Healthy Schools Programme at Apii Avarua. During the launch, Dame Cindy spoke to the children about the importance of diet and exercise for physical and mental wellbeing – and for doing their best, down whichever of life’s paths they choose to take. Their Excellencies also joined in with a little impromptu dance session and enjoyed some of the beautiful island produce. You can find more images from the event here and Dame Cindy's speech here.
That evening, on a beautiful Rarotonga evening, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies attended a reception hosted by Her Excellency Ms Tui Dewes, High Commissioner for New Zealand to the Cook Islands, in celebration of our countries’ ancient shared tradition of Matariki.
The evening also marked the launch of Matariki Korikori – a cluster of events organised by the High Commission to observe Matariki over the coming weeks. The reception included a dinner celebrating the culinary links between New Zealand and the Cook Islands – as well as a Matariki performance by the Kahurangi Māori Dance Company. You can find more images from the reception here and Dame Cindy's speech here.
The following day was spent on the beauitful island of Aitutaki . Dame Cindy were greeted upon arrival by representatives from the Island Council, before travelling to Araura College, where all of the students on Aitutaki had gathered to meet Their Excellencies for a special assembly. You find Dame Cindy's speech at that assembly here.
Following their time with the students, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies toured the island to see some of the projects supported by Ngā Hoe Tuputupu-mai-tawhiti – New Zealand’s International Cooperation Programme – including the Manatua cable landing station. They also learnt about the impact of climate change on marine life in Aitutaki’s world-renowned lagoon. You can find more images from Their Excellencies' day on Aitutaki here.
On Their Excellencies' last morning in the Cook Islands, Dame Cindy and Dr Davies visited the Autism Cook Islands Community Hub to take part in their Lego Robotics Clinic. Their Excellencies joined in building lego robotics with the children, heard about the difference this kind of play therapy can make in building the children’s confidence, and officiated a successful robotic car race. You can find more images from their visit here.
Our very sincerest thanks to the people of the Cook Islands for such a warm and joyful welcome to your wonderful home.