Te-Ara Henderson Completes Prestigious Pacific Diplomatic Training Programme
Senior policy and legal officer Te-Ara Henderson, a familiar face from the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), has returned home after successfully completing the second phase of his diplomatic training alongside fellow aspiring Pacific diplomats. The training was held across Suva, Fiji, and Apia, Samoa, from 10 to 24 March 2025.
The Pacific Diplomatic Training Programme is a professional development initiative funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship programme.
Delivered by Education New Zealand, with academic content provided by Kāpuhipuhi Wellington Uni‐Professional (WUPL), the programme aims to equip emerging young diplomats with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate all levels of diplomacy.
Training Highlights
The training brought together 32 participants from across the Pacific, including the Cook Islands, New Zealand, Samoa, Tuvalu, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Niue, and Nauru.
The first phase was conducted over three weeks near the end of last year in Wellington, New Zealand, through intensive workshops and interactive presentations from seasoned diplomats, scholars, and technical experts across a wide range of thematic areas. Some highlights included visits to various high commissions, diplomatic networking events, and a meeting with New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Winston Peters.
Image credit: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)
Participants of the 2nd Pacific Diplomatic Training
The second phase commenced on 10 March in Suva, Fiji, where participants resumed sessions at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) headquarters. They received presentations on the organisation's structure and developed a sound understanding of how PIFS supports the pacific region through priorities set by our Pacific Islands Leaders. They also engaged in discussions with Deputy Secretary General Esala Nayasi, learning of his humble beginnings as a miner to his current reputation as a seasoned Pacific diplomat.
Participants then travelled to Samoa, where they toured Samoa’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. A talanoa session was held with its Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Peseta Noumea Simi, who shared her insights and advice as Samoa’s longest active serving diplomat.
The final week included workshops focused on negotiation skills and international policy. A visit to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) concluded the training portion of the course, where participants learned about the organisation’s efforts in ocean management and protection.
Cook Islands Representation
The programme celebrated the achievements of Cook Islanders Te-Ara Henderson and Mani Mate, who both received completion certificates during a closing ceremony hosted by the New Zealand High Commission in Samoa. This milestone marks their official recognition as Manaaki Alumni.
Te-Ara described the experience as empowering and transformative, stating: “It not only strengthened my understanding of diplomacy in a Pacific context but also gave me real, practical tools to engage with stakeholders, negotiate regional and international issues, and represent the Cook Islands with confidence and clarity.”
He also reflected on the collaborative nature of the programme: “We weren’t just being trained—we were being connected. I now have a strong network of colleagues who I see developing into leaders of the Pacific, all committed to shaping our region’s future together.”
Te-Ara praised the high calibre of facilitators, the collaborative environment, and the culturally grounded approach, which aimed to incorporate our rich Pacific culture into a system of diplomacy heavily influenced by westernisation.
SBMA’s Commitment to Capacity-Building
SBMA believes our greatest resource is our people. This milestone reinforces our commitment to meaningful, long-term capacity development—equipping our team with the skills to grow, lead, and contribute to shaping the Cook Islands' future.
SBMA Policy & Regulatory Oversight Director Latishia Maui-Mataora commented, “The seabed minerals space isn’t just technical—it’s political, it’s legal, it’s environmental, and it’s deeply regional. We’re proud of Te-Ara and grateful to the New Zealand Government for this opportunity. This is what real partnerships and practical upskilling in the Pacific look like.”
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