Media release
11 November 2003

Governor-General on State Visit to Samoa, Tokelau and the Cook Islands

The Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright will embark on a State Visit to Samoa, Tokelau and the Cook Islands next week.

During the 11-day visit, the Governor-General will meet with political leaders of the island nations and inspect New Zealand aid projects.

In Samoa, Dame Silvia will meet the Head of State, His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II and Prime Minister Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, before visiting a NZAID funded secondary schools resource centre at Salealologa.

In Tokelau, Dame Silvia will meet the General Fono (National Parliament) at Fakaofo, as well as Taumatua (elders) and a variety of community groups.

In the Cook Islands, Dame Silvia will meet the Prime Minister, Dr Robert Woonton, and will visit a New Zealand assisted reconstruction project following Cyclone Martin in November 1997, as well as NZAID harbour development and health clinic projects.

Dame Silvia’s official party will include her husband, Peter Cartwright, the Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, John Larkindale, and Graeme Waters, the Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

In Tokelau the Principles of Partnership between New Zealand and Tokelau will be signed, and the Governor-General will be joined by Hon Taito Phillip Field, Associate Minister of Pacific Island Affairs.

During the absence of the Governor-General from 18-29 November, the Chief Justice, Dame Sian Elias, will act as Administrator of Government.

ENDS

© Scoop Media