Source: New Zealand Governor General
Kia orana kōtou katoatoa.
I wish to begin by specifically acknowledging: Sir Tom Marsters and Lady Tuaine Marsters; The Honourable Mark and Daphne Brown; The Honourable Tina Browne, Leader of the Opposition; Kaumaitinui, Travel Tou Ariki, President of the House of Ariki; Paramount Chiefs Tinomana Ariki, Pa Ariki, Kariki Ariki and Vakatini Ariki; Bishop Tutai Pere, representative of the Religious Advisory Council.
It’s a great honour and privilege to visit the Cook Islands for the first time in my role as Governor-General of Aotearoa New Zealand.
I want to especially thank Te Ui Ariki for the warm welcome extended to His Excellency Dr Davies and me at the turou at Atupare Marae – and my thanks also to everyone who is hosting us while we are here, in particular the King’s Representative Sir Tom and Lady Tuaine.
Just last month, Sir Tom and Lady Tuaine were with Dr Davies and me at the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.
I am honoured to come to the Cook Islands as Aotearoa New Zealand’s representative of King Charles III, our Head of State. At the same time, this visit to the Cook Islands feels very much like a homecoming.
I am especially proud to have ancestral links with these islands – through the sacred waka Mataatua, and welcome this special opportunity to affirm and embrace the many aspects of our history, culture, language that we share.
Our cultural connections include our historical observance of Matariki, which you may be aware is now celebrated with a public holiday in Aotearoa.
Joining you for the launch Matariki Korikori is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the remarkable legacy of our shared tupuna. We remember how they not only used their expertise in reading the night sky to regulate their yearly activities – but also to voyage across vast tracts of ocean, with great skill and confidence.
One of those ancestral waka, Takitimu, found landing in Aotearoa New Zealand at a place that now bears its name.
His Excellency and I were delighted to honour that whakapapa at the graduation ceremony at Te Vānanga Are Tapere o Takitumu this morning, and to celebrate the tuakana-teina relationship between Te Vānanga and Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu in Aotearoa.
Dr Davies and I share a strong interest in health – for me, from my career in health research, particularly relating to Māori health – and Dr Davies, through his work as a medical practitioner. We were very interested to attend the launch of the Healthy Schools Programme earlier today.
I am pleased Aotearoa New Zealand has been a consistent partner for the Cook Islands, through our core sector support programme and support for the health system during COVID-19. The Cook Islands must be congratulated for achieving such remarkable coverage with its vaccination programme.
Tomorrow, Dr Davies and I are looking forward to visiting Aitutaki and meeting the Mayor, Island Council, and members of the community. While we are there, we will meet school children, sail on the lagoon, and visit projects supported by New Zealand’s International Development Cooperation – Ngā Hoe Tuputupu Mai Tawhiti.
I look forward to learning about efforts to reduce the impact of climate change on Aitutaki, as well as recent projects to increase and better manage the supply of water during droughts.
Ka ora te wai, ka ora te whenua. Ka ora te whenua, ka ora te tangata.
In my conversations with King Charles III, he has reiterated his abiding concerns about the wellbeing of the natural world and the impact of climate change. He is particularly interested to learn more how indigenous knowledge can provide solutions and be part of the process of positive change.
I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge the significant financial donation made by the Cook Islands Tauturu Aotearoa Association to the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery, as well as by the Aitutaki community.
Thank you also for the gift of new insights I will be able to share on my return to Aotearoa – and also report to His Majesty. I know he would join with me in wishing the Cook Islands every success in your work to strengthen climate resilience, and the physical and cultural wellbeing of the people of these beautiful islands.
Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua. Meitaki ma’ata e kia manuia.
