The Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu, has thanked the New Zealand government for their support in recovery and rebuilding period after Tropical Cyclone Winston.

More than 200 military personnel of the New Zealand Defence Force were in the country for the past two months to help the Fijian Government rebuild the nation.

Mr Seruiratu said: “We will always be thankful to the New Zealand government and the New Zealand Defence Force for helping rebuild Fiji after Tropical Cyclone Winston.

“Fiji will always remember the work undertaken by New Zealand to help Fiji during these difficult times. We have learned a lot from New Zealand Defence Force,” he said.

Mr Seruiratu said the Fijian Government would always look forward to work with New Zealand in future.

New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Mark Ramsden also thanked the New Zealand Defence Force military personnel for their help and support.

“This is really good opportunity for us to bring the two countries together,” he said.

Mr Ramsden said the New Zealand Defence Force  had co-operated and worked together with  Fijian Government, Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), Australian Defence Force and the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO).

New Zealand Defence Force Colonel Glenn King said working alongside Fijians for the past two months was a great experience and full of wonderful memories.

Colonel King said: “We have been working in Fiji as a team under three principles. They are: Kotahitanga (unity of purpose), Whanaungatang (meaning family) and Manaakitanga (hospitality).

“People of Fiji have supported us throughout this mission and I thank the NDMO and Fijian Government for their guidance.

“We had wonderful hospitality in Fiji,” he said.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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