Rito-donning Auckland Mayor Len Brown said he was remembering the late Sir Terepai Maoate as he and Prime Minister Henry Puna signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) at a luncheon held at the office of the Prime Minister.

The new document replaces the former memorandum that was signed when former prime minister Maoate – who died on Monday – and former Manukau mayor Sir Barry Curtis signed the original memorandum in 2000.

”It was [Maoate] as prime minister of the Cook Islands, together with Sir Barry Curtis, who first signed the MOU cooperation between the former Manukau City Council and the Cook Islands,“ Brown said.

”It was his vision and Sir Barry’s that provided this platform that we now affirm today so I am remembering him and his contribution.

”Our assembling here today is a celebration of our link, of our relationship, of our connection between your country and our super city, the connection between our people, our businesses, our homes and our friends in the Cook Islands.“

Puna hailed the memorandum, which acts as a full partnership between Auckland as a region and the Cook Islands as a whole.

”It’s a relationship that covers a wide range of areas, from education, infrastructure, culture, business and so forth. This is a relationship that we want to strengthen now and into the future,“ said Puna.

”We have had a partnership in the past with the Manukau City Council. That relationship has resulted in positive outcomes for both parties and one that I can say the Cook Islands have certainly benefitted from.“

The MOU has six objectives. The first is the two-way promotion of the Cook Islands and Auckland, further enhancing the tourism aspect of either area. The second calls for the fostering of closer relationships between Auckland and the Cook Islands, while the management of important educational opportunities are also features.

The fourth objective is to ensure there is an exchange of knowledge, technological experience and economic development in environmental management.

The final two areas consist of the facilitating of professional and technical advice in areas of local government governance, infrastructure development and better links between private and public sectors in Auckland and the Cook Islands.

The other significant moment was the announcement of Brown becoming an honorary permanent resident of the Cook Islands, effective immediately.

After earlier giving the former Manukau mayor a traditional hat, known as a rito, and a Cook Islands rugby league jersey – declaring them the true world champions after New Zealand were ”too scared to show up“ for their one-off match against the hosts in September last year – Puna gave Brown ”the greatest gift we can give to you“.

”This status is in recognition of what you have done for our people in Auckland, but especially in south side Auckland over the years and especially for what you have done with us so far and more importantly what you will continue to do for the Cook Islands.

”On that note, welcome to the family, kia orana and kia manuia.“

Brown said he was ”actually feeling slightly emotional“ after hearing the news.

”Prime minister, a completely unexpected gift. I want to acknowledge you for the outstanding welcome to us and for an opportunity for us to share our respective vision for our relationship between the new super city of Akarana and the beautiful country of the Cook Islands.“

After vowing Auckland would be working with the Cook Islands on waste water and waste management projects, Brown gave Puna a gift of his own, a patu that had a specific meaning.

”It is a gift of peace and unity and our love and passion and as a token of respect from our people to your people.“

There was also another gift given to Puna, though Brown described it a gift for the future – a Blues rugby jersey.

”I’m so rapt that you reflect your love for our city, your city, my city, Auckland, and painstakenly have given your support for our Blues. I want you to receive this as an aspirational gift – not for the efforts of this year, but for next year!“