MEDIA RELEASE

Ihumatao whenua is to receive Queen Pa Upokotini Ariki of Takitumu Vaka, Cook Islands on Tuesday July 30 2019 at 11:30am.

Pa Ariki has strong established relationships with Aotearoa and this informal visit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen those links. She recently returned from Raiatea and Tahiti as a special guest of the Heiva Festival .

"It is not my place to interfere with the matters of our Iwi Tangata Whenua, but I would like to offer my support to any gathering that has fostered unity”

The Cook Islands is also starting to encounter challenges with our traditional land tenure and a personal visit will be most helpful.

“Im honoured and excited to accept the invite and look forward to spending the day with everyone. "

Approved by Mabel Wharekawa-Burt.

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