Rotary New Zealand World Community Service Reception

Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Kia orana, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Ni sa bula vinaka, Namaste, Ia Orana, Gud de tru olgeta, Talofa ni, Talofa, Kia ora tatou and warm Pacific greetings to you all.

Thank you for attending tonight's reception, it is wonderful to have the opportunity to host you at Parliament with the Rotary New Zealand World Community Service.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Tony Fortune, Chair of Rotary New Zealand World Community Service and Vice Chair JB Munro who with many of you here tonight are responsible for so much good work that happens within our Pacific region.

We also have representatives here from our Pacific nations and I would like to acknowledge:
• Bernard Narokobi, High Commissioner and Andrew Tumbu, Deputy High Commissioner for Papua New Guinea
• Cook Islands First Secretary Sonya Kamana
• Sakiusa Rakai, Acting First Secretary for Fiji
• Onosefulu Fuatai, Deputy Samoan Head of Mission

I would also like to acknowledge my Parliamentary colleagues and our representatives from NZAID, and thank everyone for joining us at this reception to raise awareness of Rotary's work in the Pacific.

Rotary has a proud and impressive history of community aid and development throughout the world. As a New Zealand born woman of the Pacific and Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, I am particularly passionate about the projects that Rotary have within the Pacific region.

New Zealand is after all a Pacific nation, and we have a special relationship with our Pacific cousins. The Pacific Ocean is named 'Te Moana nui a Kiwa', which means 'woman', and she reminds us that we are all part of the Pacific. She reminds us that we are all neighbours and kin.

Our ancestors came to New Zealand from many places and over several centuries, and we have a rich history and variety of cultural influences.

The Pacific connection is important and one that we must continue to strengthen.

Rotary New Zealand World Community Service is working cooperatively with Rotary clubs in Vanuatu, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Samoa, American Samoa and Kiribati to assist their communities in many areas such as housing, health and education. They are engaging with government agencies, local governments and village councils to support the development of sustainable and participatory communities.

This support is contributing to our Pacific region's economic development. Within every country, and between countries, your volunteers and services are strengthening our Pacific communities by building networks of trust, reciprocity, and shared values.

It’s the Kiwi way to look after each other and our neighbours! We all have a role in supporting Rotary and our region as partnerships in the Pacific are extremely important.

I would like to take this opportunity to commend all those Rotarians who volunteer their time and thank you for the work you do in the Pacific region. Your programmes are a great way to support and value other cultures and countries, as well as your own, and I thank you for the privilege of hosting tonight’s reception.

Meitaki Maata.