Governor-General's Address At The Cook Islands 60th Constitution Day Ceremony
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 extends back many hundreds of years to our voyaging ancestors, who navigated across the expanse of the Pacific Ocean, carrying with them an abiding spirit of courage and exploration, and guided by an extraordinary attunement to the natural world: to the winds and currents and stars.
That whakapapa now finds expression in the many family ties which straddle and bind our two countries: the whanaungatanga forged and enforced over generations, and through all the cycles of life - the loves and losses; the triumphs and tragedies shared.
Not far from my home of Government House in Wellington, at the Pukeahu War National War Memorial Park, sits a great, beautiful, bronze conch - a particular favourite among children small enough to curl up in its hollow opening.
That conch's name is Te Reo Hotunui o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, 'the deep sigh of the Pacific', and it stands as a powerful reminder of the sanctity of the bond between our countries: of the immense sacrifices made by Pacific troops, including so many Cook Islanders, who fought and died alongside their New Zealand comrades in global conflicts of this past century.
At a time when we still see so much instability and suffering in the world, when climate change remains an existential threat to us all, the bonds of true friendship, of care and sharing and understanding, are so precious: the knowledge that we are not alone standing against the flooding tides of intolerance and indifference and fear.
The famous whakataukī says: 'He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata! What is the most important thing in the world? It is people! It is people! It is people!' And it is the people - that bond of deep friendship between our two peoples - that will transcend all else as we continue to face the challenges, and celebrate the joys of the future, together.
I wish to extend my sincerest thanks once again to Sir Tom and Lady Tuaine Marsters, for the great kindness you've extended to me and Dr Davies these past days. Sir Tom: may I also add, a very happiest 80th birthday - and to you and Lady Marsters: very warmest congratulations on your 50th wedding anniversary, also to be celebrated today.
My sincerest thanks and congratulations also to Prime Minister Brown, the Cook Islands Government, and all those Cook Islanders, here on Rarotonga, and from across Pa Enua - for the work and aro'a that you've put into making these celebrations such a success, in honour of all that you've achieved over these past sixty years of nationhood.
It was Alistair Te Ariki Campbell, the great poet, born here on Rarotonga, who wrote these lines of deep familial love:
What more can I wish you than / The fulfilment of your dreams, / Love and peace of mind / And the world to enjoy?
As Governor-General, on behalf of all New Zealanders, I wish the Cook Islands these things: a peaceful and prosperous future, for all Cook Islanders, for your families, for generations into the future - knowing that New Zealand remains at your side.
Kia ora huihui tātou katoa.
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