The newly appointed New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Catherine Graham, assumed the role yesterday taking over from Tui Dewes whose term came to an end on September 8.

Appointed by the former NZ prime minister Jacinda Ardern, Tui assumed the role in 2020.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration said under the tenure of Dewes, and in collaboration with Cook Islands Government, the countries bilateral relationship brought to fruition a number of initiatives – Quarantine Free Travel Arrangement, Cook Islands-New Zealand Travel Bubble and the Waka Hourua/Vaka Purua Joint Statement of Partnership.

In her farewell meeting last week, Foreign Secretary Tepaeru Herrmann took the opportunity to thank the exiting High Commissioner Dewes for her contributions in advancing the Cook Islands-New Zealand bilateral relationship and wished her well in her future endeavours.

The new High Commissioner Graham met with Secretary Herrmann yesterday morning on her first day in the role.

Graham called on Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand Kairangi Samuela in Wellington earlier in the month as part of her pre-posting to Rarotonga preparations.

The new High Commissioner holds degrees in International Relations and Politics and Commerce, Economics and Public Policy from Victoria University.

In the late 1990s, Graham was a Cook Islands desk officer with New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) in Wellington. She assumes High Commissioner to Cook Islands responsibilities having most recently served as the divisional manager in the Americas Division of MFAT and was previously posted to Moscow.

Secretary Herrmann said: “We acknowledge with appreciation the services of HC Dewes and her contributions to the Cook Islands relationship with New Zealand. On the eve of our 60th year of self-governing in free association with New Zealand, we look forward to working closely with HC Graham to further deepen our cooperation and evolve our relationship in a manner that continues to support our shared and separate aspirations.”

As part of settling into her role, Graham will present her letter of introduction to Prime Minister Mark Brown and pay courtesy calls on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Tingika Elikana and various Heads of Ministry.

• Don’t miss our Saturday issue for a special feature on former high commissioner Tui Dewes’ tenure in the Cook Islands.