Media release
2 December 2005

Manukau Mayor to Become Honorary Resident of Cook Islands

Manukau mayor Sir Barry Curtis is to become an honorary resident of the Cook Islands and will be formally granted residence at a ceremony today, Friday December 2, starting at 6pm. The ceremony will be held at the Botanic Gardens site in Hill Rd, Manurewa.

Officials from the Cook Islands attending will include the Queen’s Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin KBE, and Prime Minister Jim Marurai.

The ceremony is not usually held outside the Cook Islands.

Sir Barry has had close personal and professional links with the Cook Islands for much of his life and recently led a trade delegation there to boost trade between the Cooks and Manukau.

Manukau has a large population of Cook Island residents (20,000) and they make up six per cent of the city’s population. There are now more people of Cook Island heritage living in Manukau than back in their home islands, and there is a rich cultural connection between the two populations.

Sir Barry believes Manukau City Council can help provide expertise in areas such as environmental management and economic development to assist the Cook Islands in growing its economy while preserving the quality of the natural environment.

ENDS

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