Gardener meets ‘special woman’ in PM Ardern

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Eparama Dreu meets the New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. Picture: ARIETA VAKASUKAWAQA

EPARAMA Dreu leaves his home in Burerua, Tailevu, at 4.30am every day to get to work on time, a journey he has fervently made for the past 25 years.

The 64-year-old gardener at the New Zealand High Commissioner’s residence said the early morning trip yesterday was all the more special because he got to meet a special woman, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

He described the meeting as “emotional” and one he would share with his 10 grandchildren.

“It is an honour to be given this once in a lifetime privilege,” he said.

“I was really emotional and at the same time nervous too because I never dreamt that one day I would meet her.

“Because I am just a gardener, I never imagined I would be given this opportunity.”

Mr Dreu thanked NZ High Commissioner Jonathan Curr for allowing him to meet Ms Ardern.

“In 2016, I also had the privilege to meet the former New Zealand PM John Key and Deputy PM Winston Peters in 2016.”

Mr Dreu said working at the New Zealand High Commissioner’s residence had been a fulfilling experience.

He said his job enabled him to educate his five children.

“Now all my five children are working. I was able to put them to school and they were able to find good jobs.”

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