Seabed Minerals Authority donates books, stationery
Prior to last month’s consultations in Pukapuka, Palmerston and Nassau, the Seabed Minerals Authority put together a donation of books, stationery and activity sets for the schools of each island.
Palmerston’s Lucky School students with the donated books and stationery.
In a statement, Commissioner Alex Herman said: “Usually when we travel to the Pa Enua, it is by plane which limits how much you can take. Travelling by barge gave us a rare opportunity to be able to give a little to our Pae Tokerau islands and we decided to give something to the schools.”
It was a team effort by the Authority collecting and packing the school items together, to get it ready for the barge trip, with donations received from finance manager Eileen Macquarie, Anna Glassie and Herman.
In between the official programme, members of the delegation took time to meet with the teachers and students to hand over the donated items.
“The education of our children is important to the staff in my office. That includes all of our children whether in Rarotonga or Nassau” said Herman.
The children of Lucky School on Palmerston, Nassau School on Nassau, and Niua School on Pukapuka enthusiastically received the gifts. The teachers also expressed their appreciation for the donation of reading books for the children, especially given islands like Palmerston and Nassau are only accessible by boat.
Herman said a highlight of the trip was the delegation visit to Niua School led by MP Albert Nicholas and Terii Kaisara Pa ki Tonga Ariki. Niua School has around 130 students ranging in age from 4 to 15 years old.
A warrior student formally welcomed the delegation, and then the school enthusiastically performed songs and a Pe’e, including the Pukapuka anthem, which brought pride, delight and a tear or two to members of the delegation.
The children expressed excitement over each of the items donated: reading books, stationery, sports set. However, the biggest cheer came when they saw that some toys were also included.
Two 14-year-old students, Piriiti Zephania and Cameron Teopenga expressed a word of thanks in Maori and in Wale respectively, on behalf of their peers.
Speaking in Maori, Zephania said: “May God Bless you and continue to bless you all as well as give you wisdom and knowledge to guide your work in our country. May these dreams and ideas bring prosperity to our people of the Cook Islands. When you return back to Rarotonga, please pass on our love from Niua School. Meitaki Maata.'”
Teopenga, who spoke in Wale, said: “A big thank you to you all for thinking about us. May our Sacred God protect you and give you strength and wisdom in guiding our paradise and all the ideas and benefits you are working to bring to our people of the Cook Islands. When you leave us, please go in peace and may our Sacred God protect and keep you strong from the time you leave our shores, right up to when you arrive safely back on your island. Big thank you!”
Herman said the visit to Niua School was an unforgettable experience.
“Hearing our Niua School children sing, perform, and express their thanks to us was very humbling. We were very grateful for the aroa we received from the children and people of Pukapuka, as well as from Nassau and Palmerston.”
Seabed Minerals Authority