Main menu
You are here
Home › Niue and the Cook IslandsNiue and the Cook Islands
For more photos from Niue, click here
For more photos from the Cook Islands, click here
The Governor-General, Lt Gen Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, visited Niue and the Cook Islands in late October 2013 to reaffirm New Zealand’s close ties with the two South Pacific nations.
The Cook Islands and Niue are self-governing in free association with New Zealand and, along with the territory of Tokelau and the Ross Dependency, form part of the wider Realm of New Zealand.
The Governor-General and Lady Janine Mateparae left New Zealand for Niue on 18 October before travelling to the Cook Islands on 20 October, and returned to Wellington on 24 October.
Sir Jerry and Lady Janine Mateparae provided high-level representation at the celebrations marking Niue’s 39th Constitution Day, the anniversary of the establishment of self-government in free association with New Zealand in 1974. The centrepiece of the celebrations was the Flag-Raising Ceremony, where the Governor-General gave an address reaffirming the special nature of the bilateral relationship and the unique ties that bind New Zealand and Niue.
In his speech, the Governor-General said it was both an honour and a privilege to stand before the Fale Fono and to extend to the Government and people of Niue, warm greetings from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and the Government and people of New Zealand.
“This occasion is a proud moment for all of us here today. It is an especially proud moment for all Niueans, including those who join with us in spirit from New Zealand and many other places. Thirty nine years ago, in 1974 the people of Niue expressed their desire for self-determination in a United Nations-sponsored referendum. The referendum asked the people of Niue how they, their children and their grandchildren wanted to be governed in future. Their choice – your choice – was self-government in free association with New Zealand."
The Governor-General said that since 1974 New Zealand and Niue had been bound together in a special and enduring relationship. “At its heart, however, the relationship is founded on the authority and mana that comes from Niue’s expression of self-determination. And it is the choice made in 1974 and the ensuing legacy that we celebrate today as Niue’s flag is raised.”
While in Niue, the Governor-General and Lady Janine also attended the National Show Day, while they also promoted New Zealand’s support to build the Niuean economy, particularly in tourism.
In the Cook Islands, Sir Jerry and Lady Janine Mateparae received a full ceremonial welcome at Atupare Marae, during which they were honoured with the Tapu of the Kiriti-Maro-Tai ceremony. This was a significant honour and underscored the close cultural links between the Cook Islands Māori and New Zealand Māori.
Speaking in Te Reo Māori, the Governor-General spoke of the significance of his visit. “Kua haere mai māua, ki Kuki Airani, ki te whakanui i, Te hononga Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa me Kuki Airani; Te hononga whakapapa Māori o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa; Te herenga whanaungatanga ki raro i te Kuini o Aotearoa; Me te waihotanga o te taonga kohatu no Aotearoa ki runga te ahurewa tapu nei.
“No reira, e nga tuākana whakapapa, E harikoa ana māua ko Janine, me taku rōpū, Ki te huri haere i te motu, Ki te haere hoki ki Mauke motu, Mātaki i nga kaupapa katoa, Ki te here i a tātou o Kuki Airani, me Aotearoa. Aku mihi whakaiti mo te honore, te tapu o Kiriti-Maro-Tai, ki runga ki ahau. Kia ora huihui tātou, “Kia orana tatou katoatoa!”
(“We have come to honour and recognise: The constitutional connection between New Zealand and the Cook Islands; The genealogical connection of Māori in the Pacific; Our relationship under the Queen of New Zealand and the placing of a taonga stone on the ceremonial area. So Janine and me and our group are happy to be here, to move around the island and to go to Mauke, to visit and some of the relationships that bind us from the Cook Islands and New Zealand. Thank you for the honour of the ceremony placed upon me. Greetings to us all.”)
Later the Governor-General, and Lady Janine called on the Queen’s Representative, Tom Marsters, at Government House, where he spoke to a large number of invited guests. In his speech, he spoke of the relationship between the two countries.
“The relationship between New Zealand and the Cook Islands is a special one. While our formal association in a modern sense began in 1901, it is founded on far more intimate historical, cultural and social ties. Those ties include similarities in our tikanga, our reo and our ancient stories, that have existed between our peoples and our countries for centuries. That history includes visits by Maori – Cook Island and New Zealand – and European explorers, including your nation’s namesake.”
Sir Jerry and Lady Janine Mateparae also visited several projects in Rarotonga that are being supported by New Zealand.
They also visited one of the outer islands, Mauke, where the Governor-General unveiled a new war memorial as well as learning of assistance provided by the New Zealand Aid Programme and attending a kaikai feast hosted by the local community.
In his speech at the memorial unveiling, the Governor-General praised the service of the people of Mauke and the Cook Islands to New Zealand.
"I do not know the stories of the people of Mauke who left their homes to fight for our God, their King, and their country. What I do know is that the people of Mauke can be proud of their contribution. Like the great explorer Paikea, they set off into the unknown and gifted us the taonga of peace and freedom we enjoy today. This memorial stands as a silent witness to their service, their sacrifice and their honour."
Media resources
Tours of Government House Wellington for the public, schools and community groups are offered by our Visitor Centre.
Features
-
The Governor-General's Anzac of the Year Award 2016
-
New Year Message
-
A Ceremony of Welcome in New Zealand
-
Charlotte Royale cake recipe
-
Charlotte Royale recipe - in honour of Princess Charlotte
-
Prince Harry - Visit Itinerary
-
Amazing Easter Wreath
-
The Governor-General's Anzac of the Year Award
-
Bledisloe Garden Reception 2015
-
New Year Message
-
Christmas Eccles Cakes
-
State Banquet for the President of China
-
Grilled Turbot Fillet and Cwmglyn Rarebit
-
The Governor-General and Government Formation After the Election
-
Government House Recipes - Orange and Olive Oil Syrup Cake
-
New Year message - 2014Governor-General's 2014 New Year message
-
New Year Honours 2014Queen honours New Zealand's best
-
Nelson MandelaGovernor-General pays tribute to South African leader
-
Niue and the Cook IslandsVisits reaffirm special relationships within the Realm of New Zealand
-
Badge of the General Fono of TokelauGovernor-General hosts ceremony at Government House
-
Leadership WeekGovernor-General leads the Sir Peter Blake Trust Dream Team
-
Matariki 2013Governor-General recognises the contribution of women
-
Coronation Diamond JubileeThe Governor-General looks back at the Queen's 1953 Coronation
-
AIDS Candlelight MemorialMessage from the Governor-General
-
South Canterbury and North Otago Regional Visit20-23 February: An overview
-
Waitangi Day - 2013Governor-General and Lady Janine visit Waitangi and Auckland
-
New Year Message 2013Governor-General issues his 2013 New Year message
-
New Year Honours 2013New Zealanders recognised by The Queen of New Zealand
-
Birthday cakeSecrets of Government House birthday cake revealed
-
Diamond Jubilee visitRoyal couple to visit Auckland, Wellington, Manawatu and Christchurch
-
Royal receptionPrince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall prepare for trip to downunder
-
New Zealand's Governor-GeneralGovernment House publishes new booklet
-
2012 London Olympic GamesThe Governor-General supports the NZ Olympic Team in London
-
Diamond Jubilee messageThe Governor-General's Diamond Jubilee message
-
Open to view - credentials ceremoniesWatch the video of a credentials ceremony at Government House
-
Western Bay of Plenty regional visitThe Governor-General makes his first official visit.
-
Open Days 2014Government House Open Days 2014
-
Christchurch and Canterbury Earthquake AnniversaryThe Governor-General's Programme
-
Waitangi Celebrations 2012The Governor-General's first Waitangi Day Programme
-
Governor-General's New Year MessageSir Jerry Mateparae issues his 1st New Year message - watch the video
-
State Opening of ParliamentGovernor-General announces the Government's plans
-
Speaker-elect confirmation ceremonyDr Smith confirmed as Speaker of the House
-
Appointment of the new GovernmentThe Governor-General appoints the new Government
-
Queen's Diamond Jubilee EmblemNew emblem to mark the Diamond Jubilee
-
Rugby World CupMessage from the Queen of New Zealand on the All Blacks' victory
-
State Swearing-in of Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry MateparaeA Government House short film
-
Royal NZ Navy 70th AnniversaryThe Governor-General hosted and attended associated events
-
New Zealand Gallantry AwardsGovernment House has today issued a special honours list
-
One year on from the 4 September 2010 Canterbury earthquakeGovernor-General issues a message
-
Swearing in ceremonySir Jerry Mateparae to become NZ's 20th Governor-General
-
Sir Paul ReevesNew Zealand's first Governor-General of Maori descent dies
-
Visit by King George Tupou V of TongaThe Governor-General hosted a State Welcome for the King of Tonga
-
Māori King visits Government HouseThe King plants a tree to mark the visit
-
MatarikiThe Governor-General's 2011 Matariki Message
-
The Royal WeddingSir Anand and Lady Susan attended the Royal Wedding on 29 April
-
ANZAC Day messageThe Governor-General's message for ANZAC Day commemorations
-
The National Christchurch Memorial ServiceDetails and photos are available here.
-
Christchurch EarthquakeGovernor-General offers the support of all New Zealanders
-
Canterbury earthquakeWorld leaders send messages of support to New Zealand
-
Waitangi Day 2011Sir Anand Satyanand's last Waitangi Day as Governor-General
-
New Year MessageGovernor-General issues his message for 2011
-
Pike River Mine TragedyWorld leaders send messages of support to New Zealand
-
Governor-General visits CanterburyA visit to support and encourage those affected by the earthquake
-
New Year MessageGovernor-General issues his message for 2010
-
Governor-General's 2009 New Year MessageNew Zealanders urged to volunteer