The National President Tofilau Bernadette Pereira was honoured to be a member of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s Pacific Mission last March which included government and NGO reps, business, community leaders, MPs and the Media. The delegation visited Samoa, Niue, Tonga and the Cook Islands to witness first-hand the recovery in Tonga and Samoa post Cyclone Gita and other areas of interest.
“The highlights for me were many: observing the relief efforts in Tonga and the resilience and courage of the Tongan people; the ava ceremony at the National University of Samoa; Niue’s ecotourism, renewable energy projects; celebrating international womens day in Tonga and the Cook Islands; meeting with women leaders of the community and business sector; and seeing the impact of climate change on our small island economies,” said Tofilau Bernadette.
Tofilau Bernadette paid tribute to the Prime Minister for her leadership, strength and stamina with such a tight programme. “I was also really impressed with how well she engaged with youth, leaders, community groups and all. She is a strong woman, a strong leader and a great role model for aspiring youth in the Pacific as well as here in New Zealand,” Tofilau added.
PHOTOS: Pacific Mission 4-9 March 2018
PACIFIC MISSION SCHEDULE 4-9 MARCH 2018: 5 March, SAMOA:
(i) Inspection of guard of honor at government buildings in Apia
(ii) Samoa Business Enterprise Centre Event
(iii) Moata’a Village Mangrove Walkway
(iv) National University of Samoa
(v) Robert Louis Stevenson Museum
(vi) Marist St Joseph’s Sports Club
6 March, Niue: (crossed international Dateline) (i) Niue Tourism Office, Alofi (ii) Niue’s Ecotourism Initiatives (iii) Alofi centre, view the Fale Fono, (iv) Avatele Village (v) Matavai Resort Conference Centre
6 March, Tonga (crossed International Dateline) (i)Women’s Leadership Breakfast (ii)National Emergency Management Office Warehouse (iii)Resilience, Response and Recovery Visit (iv) Travel to Ancient Tonga,Fangaloto (v) National Cultural Centre
7 March, Cook Islands (crossed International Dateline) (i) Welcome at House of Ariki (ii) Visit Highland Paradise Cultural site (iii) Captain Tama’s Tourism Operation (iv) Tourism visit on Muri lagoon (v) National Auditorium
8 March, Cook Islands (i) Opening of new buildings at Tereora College (ii) Visit Coastal Kitchen (iii) Cook Islands NGO/ Business/ Community Group Expo (iv) Light lunch with Cook Islands female political, business and community leaders
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