New Zealand Defence Advisor to the Cook Islands, Lieutenant colonel (LTCOL) Nick Bowden, is visiting Rarotonga this week for the first time since he was accredited here 18 months ago.

It is his first visit to the Cook Islands and he took time on Tuesday to visit the police leadership as part of his round of talks with relevant agencies and stakeholders.

Police, in a written statement said, Bowden, accredited to Tonga and the Cook Islands, “is touching base on areas of mutual interest, and determining how best to build on the cooperative efforts with NZ Defence Force, including training assistance”.

The New Zealand High Commission said his visit here is an opportunity to “establish relationships face to face and discuss opportunities for further cooperation with Cook Islands agencies”.

Bowden also met with officials from New Zealand High Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Security Directorate on Tuesday.

On Wednesday he was scheduled to meet with Cook Islands Red Cross and Emergency Management Cook Islands.