A government delegation led by Prime Minister Mark Brown has taken advantage of a scheduled voyage to the northern group to visit the islands of Palmerston, Suwarrow, Pukapuka and Nassau for a series of consultations on matters regarding Marae Moana, seabed minerals and quarantine-free travel.
The MV Taunga Nui barge is tasked with delivering priority cargo and machinery to the northern group on behalf of government this week. It will now also be taking with it a delegation of government officials and workers.
The delegation includes representatives from the following agencies: Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI), Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC), Seabed Minerals Authority, National Environment Service (NES) and the Marae Moana office. Also accompanying the delegation is the Member of Parliament for Avatiu-Ruatonga-Palmerston and Associate Minister for CIIC, Albert Nicholas.
In a statement Prime Minister Brown said: “The voyage to these Pa Enua provides a rare opportunity to visit, as all of them except Pukapuka are only accessible by boat. So, we have maximised this opportunity to cover off a range of projects, deliveries, and consultations in one go.”
“During these Covid times, government needs to operate efficiently, pool its limited resources and work smart” he added. “I would like to commend the government agencies involved for working together to deliver on these various outcomes, for the betterment of our Pa Enua and our people.”
Machinery onboard the barge includes tractors and trailers for Pukapuka and Nassau and also the Pukapuka/Nassau ferry, which will provide, for the first time in the nation’s history, the ability to cater for health referral services, medical emergencies, and the regular supply of critical goods between the two islands.
Infrastructure Secretary Diane Charlie-Puna said: “The commissioning and handover of this machinery has been in planning for months, so we are grateful that we can finally send it up north.”
“Given the size of some items, the barge was the only viable option for ICI.”
Cook Islands Investment Corporation is utilising the MV Taunga Nui voyage to deliver supplies for many of its projects in Suwarrow (in conjunction with National Environment Service) and Pukapuka. Some supplies for the Pukapuka Hospital project are also currently destined for Pukapuka onboard MV Grinna.
“An equally important part of the MV Taunga Nui expedition is that it will be dropping off rangers and supplies in Suwarrow. The trip also provides an opportunity for delegation members to meet our people and hold public meetings and consultations with our people on all islands on a range of important topics, including Marae Moana, seabed minerals and quarantine-free travel matters. The expedition also includes the formal official openings of the Palmerston Cyclone Shelter and Pukapuka Hospital,” the Prime Minister said.
PM Brown will be contactable throughout this expedition and has access to satellite phone to ensure he has regular contact with Rarotonga.
Further, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration is arranging for the Prime Minister to participate in the upcoming Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting.
“This is an important virtual meeting, which I will participate in as leader of the Cook Islands,” said Brown.
This will be Brown’s first official visit as Prime Minister to Palmerston, Suwarrow, Pukapuka and Nassau.
“All of our Pa Enua are important, especially our most remote,” said Brown. “I am pleased to be able to visit our Pa Enua, and look forward to the various events planned, as well as meeting our people on these islands.”
All travellers took Covid-19 tests before travel, all the tests produced negative results. Further updates will be provided as the charter progresses.
Written by: CI News Staff