Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand Kairangi Samuela welcomed the Cook Islands Public Accounts Committee delegation upon their arrival to Te Whanganui a Tara, Wellington over the weekend.

The delegation who is being hosted by the New Zealand Inter-Parliamentary Relations team, is led by Minister Tingika Elikana who is the chairperson of the committee and is accompanied by members including Vaitoti Tupa (Deputy), Tina Browne, Te-Hani Brown, Sonny Williams, Teokotai Herman, Robert Heather and government officials.

The Public Accounts Committee is responsible for closely examining and evaluating the government and its entities' estimated spending plans.

In a statement, the Cook Islands High Commission in New Zealand said through the United Nations Development Programme, the committee managed to secure funding for a study excursion to travel to Wellington to gain a deeper understanding of the committee’s role and engage in useful learning experiences.

Elikana stated: “This is our committee’s opportunity to learn about the responsibilities and significance of our duties as well as how to effectively support our government in financial planning.”

The committee will meet with New Zealand government officials and the Cook Islands diaspora in Wellington to exchange ideas and viewpoints with their counterparts.

The team will leave for Auckland on Friday.

>Supplied