Tena koutou katoa, bula vinaka and namaste. As the newly arrived New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji, it is a privilege to mark my first Waitangi Day here in Suva.
This day is a special one for New Zealanders – a day about mutual respect and honouring our nation’s journey.
The signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi on 6 February 1840 set the foundations that still guide our commitment to partnership today.
Every year on Waitangi Day, we pause to reflect on the achievements, challenges and the lessons from our past. Waitangi Day isn’t about perfection, it’s about shared purpose.
It is a day to think about our connections to fellow New Zealanders – including the generations before us and those yet to come.
“He waka eke noa”—we share this canoe together.
If one side paddles hard while the other is struggling, the boat cannot move forward. It just spins. This is a simple lesson, but one we must not forget.
As I begin my tenure, I am struck by the huge amount of progress New Zealand and Fiji have achieved together, with so much to feel proud about. We collaborate on climate resilience, disaster preparedness, regional security, and promoting economic growth.
We have expanded our trade ties and supported each other in response to natural disasters and extreme weather events.
Through the Duavata Partnership, Fiji and New Zealand have helped shape a more stable, prosperous, and resilient Pacific region.
With the challenges facing us now—climate change, economic shifts, and increasing global uncertainty—it is as important as ever that we keep paddling together.
As partners, as friends, as family, New Zealanders and Fijians can help each other toward bright futures for our younger generations, and all our communities can thrive.
Waitangi Day also celebrates Te Ao Maori and the unique cultural heritage of Aotearoa (New Zealand).
By honouring our traditions, we ensure the knowledge of ancestors is passed along to our children. Here in Fiji, we feel really happy to be able to share aspects of New Zealand culture with you—from the waiata we sing to welcome our guests at gatherings, to the Maori concepts of manaakitanga (showing respect through hospitality and generosity) and kotahitanga (solidarity and unity across diverse peoples), which guide our approach to caring for each other. We feel these values are equally important to the people of Fiji.
On behalf of the New Zealand High Commission, I warmly wish everyone a happy Waitangi Day.
May this occasion remind us of the strength of our partnerships, the richness of our cultures, and the possibilities that lie ahead when we work together.
Vinaka vakalevu, dhanyavad, nga mihi nui
First Secretary Christina Edmonds with the children of Draiba Primary School who proudly showcased the unique cultural heritage of New Zealand at Pasifika Night last year. Picture: SUPPLIED
