Te Are Pa Metua centre for the elderly has expressed its immense gratitude for two new vans donated by the Government of Japan.

These vehicles are needed to provide comfortable transportation for the mamas and papas to and from the centre for their three weekly meetings.

First Secretary Noriyasu Adachi from the Embassy of Japan in New Zealand was delighted to be in Rarotonga yesterday to officially hand over and sign documents for the vans, which were enabled with grant assistance of NZ$199,855

The 14-seater bus and four-seater van equipped with a wheelchair lift arrived in Rarotonga in January and has been used to transport the elderly.

“We hope that these vehicles will be a symbol of our friendship and that they will be used with care for a long time to come,” said Adachi.  

Te Are Pa Metua centre coordinator, Moana-O-Liliuokalani Marsters, was excited to finally host Adachi and express their thanks. 

“Since 2017, we have been trying to fundraise for a new van, we tried our best but didn’t raise enough funds so it has been such a challenge,” said Marsters.

“We are so happy and we are all so thankful.” 

Patron of the centre, Pa Marie Ariki, welcomed Adachi to the centre and presented him with a beautifully carved paddle by taunga Mike Tavioni.

Papa Rongo Ezekiela, the longest member at the centre said, “We are grateful for our new vans which we need, and I hope that we will look after them.”

The mamas then got into full swing with their entertaining string band and enjoyed a wonderful feast with their guests to celebrate their vehicles.

If you would like to join the Are Pa Metua group on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, contact Marsters on 50592 for a pick up.