Prime Minister Jacinda Adern Visited The Rock

by Losi Jackson Niue was the second stop for the Prime Minister Adern and her delegation as part of the Pacific Trip early this month, the stop was after visiting Samoa. Prime Minister Jacinda Adern and her delegation were welcomed at the Hanan International Airport by Niue’s Premier Sir Toke Talagi and Lady FiFita Talagi, and some of the students from Niue High School who will be performing at the ASB Polyfest, performed the Niue Takalo outside the terminal, before the Prime Minister inspected the Police Guard of Honour. The Members of Parliament and their spouses were next in line to greet and meet the Prime Minister before a formal speech was made by the Premier and later by the Prime Minister. Although the visit was short, the programme was full on, with discussions held at the Fale fono, and a Press Conference at the , and Airport and a visit to both schools and a short stop over at the Council of Women headquarters. Lunch at Scenic Matavai Resort for invited guests at 1.00p.m.before their last activity to a ground breaking for the New Zealand High Commission new building site at Tapeu before their departure. This was the second time a female Head of State from New Zealand visited Niue, first was Prime Minister Helen Clarke who Niue referred to as “Aunty Helen” and now Prime Minister Jacinda Adern, “Daughter of Niue”. This was not her visit to Niue though, as she has visited the Rock before as her parents have been working here first as the Chief of Police before taking a job in Samoa, then returning as New Zealand High Commissioner, but the parents term will be ending this year. Her delegation included Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and his Partner, and other Pacific island ministers, and one Niuean delegate, Rev. Falkland Liuvaie and as well a members of the Media, which included Pacific Correspondent from TV One, Barbara Dreaver. After leaving Niue their next stop was Tonga and then the Cook Islands before returning to New Zealand. Prime Minister Adern reiterated their continued support with Aid for the Niue of a $5M (US $3.6 million) extra to support the development of solar energy in Niue and $750,000 for improvement of roads on the island as well as water network that the Premier have indicated.