Their Excellencies the King’s Representative to the Cook Islands, Sir Tom Marsters, and Lady Tuaine Marsters, together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, the Honourable Tingika Elikana, Te Kaumaiti Nui Tou Ariki, Karika Ariki, and New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Catherine Graham, were present at Rarotonga International Airport this afternoon to welcome Their Excellencies The Right Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor-General of New Zealand, and Dr Richard Davies, as well as the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, the Honourable Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke, Prime Minister of Tonga.
A traditional welcome was extended to the Governor-General by Anautoa Rangatira Dr Tuaine Unuia, in his capacity as O-Tari-Kura, the Clerk of the House of Ariki, accompanied by the drums of Manihiki.
The Governor-General and Dr Davies were honoured with presentations of tiputa and tifatara (Manihikian cloak and hat made from intricately woven coconut fibres) by the Faingahitu Ariki o Te Fuinga o Niva, Fred Tangi Napara, before a short welcome ceremony was held in the Government Lounge at Rarotonga International Airport.
The Governor-General and the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum are among the first international dignitaries to arrive in Rarotonga to join the Cook Islands’ 60th Constitution celebrations, with Constitution Day to be observed on 4 August. Representatives from thirty-seven countries will attend the event, including diplomatic envoys from South Africa, Italy, Türkiye, and Kuwait, who presented credentials to the King’s Representative yesterday, as well as Pacific leaders from Tuvalu, Niue, and French Polynesia.
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