New Zealand Minister Munokoapoto (Poto) Williams, who is of Cook Islands descent, met Prime Minister Mark Brown on her first official visit to the country this week.

Williams, who has connections to the island of Manihiki, is the first New Zealand Minister to officially visit the Cook Islands since the opening of the quarantine free travel bubble in May.

She holds the ministerial portfolios for Building and Construction and Police as well as the associate ministerial portfolios for Children and Public Housing after becoming the first female Cook Islander to be elected in NZ Parliament.

On Wednesday, the New Zealand High Commissioner Tui Dewes accompanied Williams for a programme of official calls.

Meeting with Prime Minister Mark Brown, Williams spoke of how the two-way quarantine free travel is testimony to both the Cook Islands’ and New Zealand’s success in keeping the countries safe from Covid-19. 

She also congratulated the Cook Islands on the incredible success of its vaccine roll-out, and affirmed that the Cook Islands-New Zealand partnership is one of great importance based on deep whakapapa and whanaungatanga links.

As well as attending a women leaders’ luncheon at Ngatipa, Minister Williams attended a roundtable discussion to learn more about development in the tourism industry post quarantine-free travel.

Later in the evening on Wednesday, she addressed a reception on board the HMNZS Wellington Navy ship hosted by the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour, to celebrate the success of the Operation Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination programme.

In her remarks, Williams noted that the Operation Pfizer was a team effort, ably led by Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health Cook Islands, and supported by the Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora, New Zealand Medical Assistance Team and New Zealand Defence Force.