Ceremony marks opening of new Office

On the final day of Pacific Parliamentarians and Presiding Officers and Clerks Biannual Conference delegates celebrated the opening of the new Office for their organization
Leader of the House, Hon John Tangi acted as MC at the handover ceremony of the PPAPD-FPOC office in Avarua. Mr Tangi told the gathering that the ceremony had been toned down in deference to the passing away of the New Zealand High Commissioner, His Excellency Tia Barrett.
Tangi then invited the traditional landowner, Makea Karika Margaret Ariki, MBE to come forward and do the honours of cutting the ribbon across the entrance, followed by the unveiling of the plaque by the Speaker of the Samoan Legislative Assembly and the opening of the main entrance by the Speaker of Parliament, Hon Mapu Taia, OBE.
Most of the MPs were in attendance including DPM, Sir Terepai Maoate, Ministers Hon Tangata Vavia, Hon Mau Munokoa and Hon Kete Ioane and Opposition Leader, Hon Tom Marsters, Hon Teina Bishop, Hon Vai Puea and Nandi Glassie. Deputy Speaker Cassey Eggelton and her extended family have left to attend the funeral of the late Tia Barrett in New Zealand.
President of the House of Ariki, Tou Travel Ariki was also there as was Te Tio Kaisara Pakitonga Ariki Nui of Pukapuka. The day had begun with a charity bike ride into Avarua not only to raise funds but also to call attention to the need to save on the use of fossil fuels and cutting greenhouse gases for sustainable development in the Pacific.
A buffet umukai luncheon was served in the lower floor of the Court House which land is also owned by Makea Karika.

Headlines : Times 290 02 March 2009
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