Aotearoa Society bid farewell to NZ High Commissioner

The Aotearoa Society turned out for their salute to the New Zealand High Commissioner, the late Tia Barrett and in support of Theresa Barrett who has ‘come home’ to heal after the passing of her beloved husband.
The commemorative service was led by Pastor Tangi, who also happens to the MP for Tupapa and also the Vaa Tuatua for Vakatini Ariki.
According to the genealogy read out, Theresa Barrett turns out to be a cousin to Vakatini through the Nicholas side of the family and she is also related to Aunty Maria Henry (nee Nicholas) and with connections to practically the whole island or so it seems. In fact, Theresa’s maiden name is Nicholas and she is related to all the Nicholas family in Rarotonga.
One of the eulogies was by former Cabinet Minister, Tupui Henry who told of his speech in Ngaruawahia, when he discussed the importance of the role of the High Commissioner and the history associated with the Nicholas family in the Cook Islands.
Having served under his father, the great Papa Arapati Henry who led the country into self government, and of Constitution celebrations in the very early Cook Islands Party days, when the NZ Rep of the time was very upset at the speck about to be given by the Premier, Papa Arapati.
It seems the Premier was about to announce some Australian aid to upgrade Avatiu harbour to take fishing boats and such. Why are the Australians giving aid instead of NZ and asked the Premier to change his speech. The reply was that the Premier would deliver his speech but the NZ Rep was welcome to change his speech to include the tarsealing of the roads in Rarotonga.
The upshot was that Australia paid for the harbour upgrade and New Zealand funded the tarsealing of the Ara Nui around Rarotonga.
The history part was that Henry Nicholas played a small but signigicant role in the Cook Islands becoming British rather than French in the 1880s. The story is that Nicholas and a certain Mr Ward got news of a French warship heading for Rarotonga intent on taking over so they rushed over to Queen Makea (Makea Nui Ariki) and asked her whether the island preferred British or French rule. British was the reply and so they persuaded one of the ladies to sew up the Union Jack and hoist it up on a flagpole down the wharf.
When the warship got within sight, the Queen unfurled the ‘Union Jack’ and on sighting the British flag blowing in the breeze, the French warship turned back. The ruse worked but it was not until 1888 that the British made it official.
So the evening went on with a mixture of fun and memories of Tia Barrett who loved the Cook Islands that he and his wife were determined to retire to Rarotonga after his active service in the diplomatic corps ended.
Sadly Tia has passed away before that could happen but Theresa wants to carry out his wishes in the future.
Aera ra to Tia Barrett from everyone. Te Atua te Aroa.

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