Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s Pacific charm offensive arrives in Rarotonga

As Jacinda Ardern does her best to curry favor with the Pacific, Pacific residents are charming back at her.

The Prime Minister and his diplomatic delegation have arrived in Rarotonga – following visits to Samoa, Tonga and Niue earlier this week.

Dressed in all white, Ms Ardern was given a warm welcome at the Chief’s House at Atupare Marae on Thursday (NZT).

Instead of being carried up as is tradition, the prime minister and his delegation were welcomed like Cook Islands children. As the prime minister sat on a stone throne before chiefs from each island for a kiriti marotai, a ritual for weary travellers, the sky briefly opened.

Locals assured reporters that the downpour was a blessing.

“When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was moved,” Rev. Soatini said during the prayer that followed.

“I think the Cook Islands has acted because you have arrived, Prime Minister.”

Ardern, who is six months pregnant, spoke about the cultural and linguistic ties between New Zealand and the Cook Islands, beyond the governance arrangements.

She told the crowd: “As I was leaving … one of the children said to me: ‘Don’t forget your baby is now in Cook Island … I have to say that is going to be a very lucky baby.'”

“This is my first time here… but it won’t be my last.”

Ardern will meet with Cook Islands Foreign Minister Henry Puna soon and an announcement is expected.

At a meeting with the leaders of Samoa, Tonga and Niue earlier this week, the Government announced it would increase all forms of aid and development.

Days before New Zealand’s annual Pacific mission departs for the region, Foreign Minister Winston Peters spoke in a speech about “strategic anxieties” about deep-pocketed countries gaining a foothold in the region, and the need for New Zealand to “reset” its policies to stay relevant.

– New Zealand National Network