Fiji’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, recently engaged in a productive meeting with representatives from Te Whānau o Waipareira in Auckland, aimed at enhancing the well-being of communities in both countries.
Te Whānau o Waipareira is a non-profit organization established in New Zealand in 1984 that offers a wide range of services, including health, housing, social justice, and education, primarily for Māori and other ethnic communities.
During the meeting, Ratu Inoke commended Te Whānau o Waipareira for its exceptional support and services to urban Māori communities. He expressed interest in learning from their initiatives to apply similar strategies for Fijians. “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 remarked.
The Commissioner also underscored the Fijian government’s commitment to affirmative action for the iTaukei people, particularly in business and education.
Chairman Raymond Hall and CEO John Tamihere welcomed the discussions, noting the historical connections between Fiji and New Zealand. Tamihere expressed his eagerness to explore further economic and social exchanges to bolster the strong relationship between the two nations.
Ratu Inoke was joined by Second Secretary Josua Tuwere, along with Auckland Fijian community leaders Rachel Mario and Nik Naidu, who contributed to the discussions focused on fostering stronger collaboration.
These initiatives align with Fiji’s Foreign Policy White Paper, which has recently received endorsement from the Cabinet.