Vinaka Vakalevu, Fiji: Curr

There’ll always be a place for Fiji and its people in our hearts, Vinaka vakalevu Fiji!

This was the parting message from outgoing New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Jonathan Curr who concluded his term in office on Friday.

Mr Curr, who presented his credentials to Fiji’s Head of State in February 2018 concluded his term as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Fiji on Friday after four years of service.

He said he was proud of the accomplishment he has been able to achieve during his four-year term and was optimistic that the relationship between the two countries would continue to grow in years to come.

“I feel very happy with the accomplishments across the relationship that has been able to be achieved,” he said.

“I think when I came here, one of the biggest tasks that I had was to make sure that the relationship between the two countries were strengthened and it was put on a firm footing for the future.

“In a very general level, I think that objective has been achieved and the relationship is much better and stronger.”

He added that the development programme in the past few years had increased by 83 per cent in its size which reflected the hard work of the development team here in Suva and Wellington exploring new initiatives.

“The pandemic has meant that we put more resources in supporting Fiji going through a really challenging time both in terms of the health response and economic recovery that needs to take place now.

“We have also moved into new areas in trade, moving into communities, and housing and in support of the Government’s response now into the pandemic. Which includes a development relationship with the Fiji Police Force.”

Personal Highlights

Mr Curr said developing close ties with the community and people was a highlight of his term here.

“There have been a number of ways that we have done that, we have been supporting local organisations to raise funds, we have hosted many fundraising at the residence and to provide support and we have also developed a wide range of friends here that we enjoyed working with.

“They will be memories and relationships that will last with us forever. We have made some beautiful friendships that will endure for the rest of our lives.

“We have done our best to support organisations and communities that do their best to help their fellow Fijians across a whole range of fields like music, fashion, social support and that’s a real highlight.”

He added that he would miss the Fijian weather and hospitality when they returned to Wellington. He acknowledged the hardworking staff of the New Zealand High Commission in Suva and his colleagues in Wellington for their support during his term in office.

“You can’t achieve the things you have achieved in the past few years without a fantastic team,” he said.

“One of the greatest blessings of this role is, it’s not about me, it’s about working together with everyone to achieve the outcomes. So we have been incredibly lucky to have a good team here in Suva that is very diverse and really hardworking, they care about the work that they do.”

Where to from here?

Mr Curr said: “We have been overseas now for close to eight years and it’s time to return home to New Zealand and spend some time in Wellington at our head office there and see what the future holds. I’m looking forward to spending more time at home with family and New Zealand friends.”

Acknowledgements

Mr Curr acknowledged all Fijians for their warm hospitality and support during his term in office.

“Vinaka vakalevu to everyone that has been a part of the posting that my wife and I have enjoyed here,” he said.

“Everyone’s contributions, their work with us, spending time with us have made our work easier. It has been the highlight of my career and I can’t thank people enough for the warmth and hospitality, partnership and collaboration they provided to us.

“I wish everyone in this wonderful country a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2022.”

Mr Curr and his wife Fololeni Curr are expected to remain in Fiji until early 2022 before they return home.

Mr Curr’s successor, Charlotte Darlow, is expected to arrive in Nadi on Monday, December 13 and would be in Suva on Thursday, December 16, after completing  mandatory COVID-19 quarantine in Nadi.

Feedback: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj