Te Kauono Tutara e te Mana Tiaki – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) have paid tribute to the late Tutai Toru during last week's quarterly all-staff meeting. Toru passed away on the island of Atiu on Sunday, 9 April 2023, and was 81 years old.
Amongst his many professional, personal, and community contributions to nation-building and the people of the Cook Islands, was his 38 years of service within Immigration, most of those spent as Principal Immigration Officer (PIO).
In August 2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration as part of celebrating 35 years since the establishment of the Ministry, honoured and paid tribute to the former and then current staff member. The theme for the celebrations was "kua tavini ana i te ipukarea ma te tiratiratu – in recognition of national service with integrity and distinction to the people of the Cook Islands."
The celebrations, held at Tamarind House on 7 August 2019, celebrated two categories of contributors, which were pioneers and long-serving. Toru was amongst a number of former and current MFAI staff who were presented recognition awards by the King's Representative, His Excellency Sir Tom Marsters, and then Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Henry Puna.
During the acknowledgements, the following was shared about Toru, "Tutai O-Ngametua Toru, 78 years young (in 2019), started out as a teacher". By 1971 he started working as an Immigration Officer in a small team (only 3 staff at the time) within the Treasury department. John Tuiravakai was Senior Immigration Officer at the time.
Two years later, Toru was appointed as Acting Senior Immigration Officer and quickly climbed the ranks to Senior Immigration Officer and then Principal Immigration Officer, with each appointment coming within three months of each other. The opening of the Rarotonga International Airport in 1974 was a particularly challenging and a nerve-wracking time for him, as it was during this time he led the design and operation of the first Cook Islands Immigration border control system.
The 1996 economic crisis was also tough, when Toru had to let go of a large number of staff as part of public sector-wide cuts, most of them senior staff members. He commended the exceptional staff he had the privilege of working alongside, his deputy PIO Tunuu Hosking, and the few that are still working in Immigration today and were also honoured: Nga Potoru (31 years), Tangi Nooapii (31 years) and Tangi Aererua (30 years).
Read the MFAI 2019 media release of the pioneers and MFAI staff contributions here: https://www.facebook.com/mfaicookislands/posts/pfbid02FxNU8HYAk8T7P7BFfo6hRVb4dLR2zUhwBKcxv6JoTQZVvrHqtdGkL9zRkQFD2UTklfor
During last week's meeting for all Rarotonga staff, members of the MFAI Senior Leadership Team presented division performance updates on the first quarter of 2023 and priorities for the quarter ahead. On the Immigration front, the legacy and contributions of Toru were acknowledged as MFAI continue to work to improve the now electronic border management system; ensure staff have requisite capabilities and support to deliver the full suite of services as detailed in the 2021 Immigration Act and 2023 Regulations; support the national economic recovery endeavour through immigration services at the border; and processing of visa and permit processing for those with continuing rights.
"Tutai's contributions and legacy to our national Immigration Service served as a reminder for all MFAI staff last week the shoulders upon which we stand in service to our people, and the patriotism with which our forebears not only served our people but have ensured our security and prosperity over the decades - including through some of our toughest times," said MFAI Secretary, Tepaeru Herrmann.
"It is those same values and traits, of ingenuity and courage, community and solidarity from those of yesteryears like Tutai, that we must continue to draw inspiration from if we are to overcome the challenges before us today, and ensure the security and prosperity of our people into the future."
2023 is a big year for MFAI with the more than yearlong Cook Islands assumption of Pacific Islands Forum Chair responsibilities and roll out of the full suite of immigration services detailed in the 2021 Immigration Act and 2023 Regulations.
The legacy of Papa Tutai Toru in national immigration services contribution will continue to live on, and serve as inspiration for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The MFAI community extend their warmest condolences to the family of the late pioneer and staff member Tutai Toru – moe maru e teia tavini. Meitaki e te tiratiratu.