22 February 2010

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration announced today that the New Zealand Government has accepted the nomination of Mr Michael Mitchell to be the High Commissioner representing the Cook Islands in Wellington.

Mr Mitchell’s replacement as Secretary of Foreign Affairs Dr James Gosselin is expected to take up his duties in Rarotonga on Monday 15th March 2010.

Mr Mitchell will commence his posting that week.  His appointment is for one year.

12 February 2010

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration has been busy co-ordinating requests for assistance to rebuild Aitutaki – from regional and international sources, according to Secretary Mike Mitchell.

“We have been promised $20,000 from the Forum Secretariat immediately – which should defray some of the transport costs – we have also been encouraged to contact the World Bank regional office in Sydney, the Asian Development Bank regional office and the SOPAC office in Fiji.

Mr Mitchell said that there were other sources of funds still to be tapped.

“We are working with Aid Management, the Ministry of Finance and all those involved, to get Aitutaki back on its feet as soon as possible.  I understand New Zealand and Australia are closely following the initial assessment.”

The Deputy Prime Minister travelled to Wellington on 02 February 2010, accompanied by the Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

On Wednesday 3rd of February, he visited the office of the Hon Phil Heatley, Minister of Fisheries for New Zealand, and signed the Treaty known as the ‘Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fishery Resources in the South Pacific Ocean’ – (‘SPRFMO’).