Brown pays respects

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has extended his condolences to the Cook Islands people on the death of their former Prime Minister Sir Terepai Maoate.

Sir Terepai, who served as prime minister from 1999 to 2002, passed away on Monday.

”My thoughts are with the Cook Islands communities both in Auckland and abroad. We have a long and close association with the Cook Islands, and I wish to express my support in their time of grief,“ said Brown.

”We went to see his family yesterday and we had a wonderful time on behalf of the people of Auckland to pay our respects.“

The mayor and councillor Mike Lee are in the Cook Islands on the final stage of a three-nation trade mission to the Pacific.

They are joined by representatives from various education and business sectors, who are looking to strengthen ties with local groups and organisations.

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