Source: Government House
Tēnā koutou, kia orana tātou katoatoa – and my very warmest Pacific greetings to you all.
I’d like to specifically acknowledge: Sir Tom Marsters, King’s Representative to the Cook Islands, and Lady Tuaine Marsters; Prime Minister Mark Brown and Mrs Daphne Brown, and all Members of Parliament of the Cook Islands; Tou Travel Ariki, President of the House of Ariki, and Tou Ariki Vaine, and all other Ariki, mataiapo, and rangatira; Bishop Tutai Pere, Chair of the Religious Advisory Council, and all orometua and religious leaders; Your Excellency Ms Catherine Graham, New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands; distinguished foreign dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps.
And to all honoured guests, many of whom I know have travelled great distances to be here – tēnā koutou katoa.
As Governor-General of the Realm of New Zealand, representing His Majesty King Charles III, and the Government and people of New Zealand, I am honoured to be here for this deeply significant celebration of Te Maeva Nui – marking 60 years of Cook Islands self-governance, and the very special relationship between our two countries.
This is my second visit to the Cook Islands during my term as Governor-General – and on both occasions, I have been so struck, and so moved, by the warmth and generosity with which my husband Dr Davies and I have been received.
The bond between Aotearoa and the Cook Islands ext
