Fiji’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, recently met with representatives from Te Whānau o Waipareira in Auckland to discuss initiatives aimed at enhancing the well-being of communities in both countries.
Te Whānau o Waipareira, a non-profit organization founded in 1984, offers a variety of services including health care, housing, social justice, and education to Māori and other ethnic communities across New Zealand.
During the meeting, Ratu Inoke commended Te Whānau o Waipareira for its exceptional support to urban Māori communities and expressed a desire for Fijians to learn from their initiatives. He noted, “We would like to learn what you are doing for Māori and apply similar initiatives for our people in Fiji. I see you are advanced in your efforts, and we invite you, Mr. Tamihere, to visit Fiji soon.”
He also reaffirmed the Fijian government’s dedication to affirmative action for iTaukei people in the fields of business and education.
Chairman Raymond Hall and CEO John Tamihere appreciated the conversation, recognizing the deep historical connections between Fiji and New Zealand. Tamihere showed enthusiasm for fostering direct economic and social exchanges that could further enhance the strong relationship shared by the two nations.
Ratu Inoke was accompanied by Second Secretary Josua Tuwere and Auckland Fijian community leaders Rachel Mario and Nik Naidu, who contributed actively to the discussions focused on strengthening collaboration.
These meetings reflect the objectives outlined in Fiji’s recently endorsed Foreign Policy White Paper, aligning with the nation’s broader diplomatic goals.