Generous donation to Aitutaki for Cyclone relief

Six containers containing building materials and other items have been landed in Aitutaki as part of the Cyclone Pat recovery programme.
The containers were sent by the Aitutaki Enua Society in Auckland and the Auckland President Manika Glassie asked Secretary of the Aitutaki Community on Rarotonga, Mona Ioane to travel to Aitutaki on his behalf to present the containers.
Ioane told the Herald on Wednesday morning that he traveled to Aitutaki last Thursday for the handover to the recovery team in Aitutaki.
Ioane had high praise for the very generous participation of New Zealand company James Hardie NZ Ltd who donated the six containers and building supplies worth $200,000. They were packed free of charge by company staff. He praised Oropai Maruaao, Chairman of the Reureu Village Community in Auckland who worked for the company. Company staff he praised were Henk Van Broekhuize the Sales and Products Manager, Paul Jones the Products Stores Controller and his team and Senga Ogle the Production Manager.
He also thanked Reef Shipping for discounting the freight costs and praised Ewan Grant and Murray Bingham of Reef Freight.
He also thanked Paul Basset Manager of Sea Pack, Greg Millar CEO for Toll Transport NZ Ltd and Sela Ann and the team and Margery Pryor of Hygiene Products.
He thanked the Cook Islands government, Ports Authority and Customs for waiving fees and also thanked the various Aitutaki Communities in NZ; Hastings, Ashburton, Christchurch, Hamilton and Auckland for their contributions.
He said Manika Glassie and some members of the Society in Auckland worked tirelessly.
Ioane said the people of Aitutaki thanked the following for their help; Government, Cyclone Pat recovery Committee, Aitutaki Enua Cyclone relief Committee, Ports Authority Board and staff, Vaine Teokotai for his diligent efforts and negotiations.

By Charles Pitt

Herald Issue 463 10 June
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