The Cook Islands High Commission in New Zealand has welcomed Deputy High Commissioner Amelia Fukofuka-Murare.

The High Commission based in Wellington welcomed the new Deputy High Commissioner and her family on July 1, 2024, it said in a statement.

Fukofuka-Murare was previously the director of Capability and Service Delivery (CSD) at the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration prior to her post to Wellington.

She was also the lead logistics coordinator and led the Cook Islands hosting of the 52^nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Rarotonga last year which welcomed over 800 participants, one of the largest leaders’ meetings both in terms of numbers and level of representation.

“She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role of Deputy High Commissioner having served more than 10 years with MFAI in the CSD division, as Executive Officer as well as the Treaties, Multilaterals and Oceans division first as a Foreign Service officer and as Director for International and Trade Division responsible for overseeing the Cook Islands relationship with current and emerging international partners,” the statement said.

Cook Islands High Commissioner to NZ Kairangi Samuela remarked: “We welcome Amelia’s arrival; her expertise and experience will certainly enhance the service delivery of the High Commission.”

“We look forward to capitalising on her strengths in the months ahead as we look to strengthen our relations with New Zealand, the Diplomatic Corp and the Cook Islands diaspora here in Wellington.”

Amelia is joined in Wellington by her husband and two young daughters.