Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez called on His Excellency Tom Marsters, Queen’s Representative of the Cook Islands at the Government House as well as to Deputy Prime Minister Teariki Heather at the Deputy Minister’s Office in Rarotonga, Cook Islands on 05 August 2014.

The Queen’s Representative Tom Marsters with his spouse, Mrs. Tuaine d'Arorangi, warmly received Ambassador Benavidez on behalf of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen and Head of State of the Cook Islands, at Government House. The Queen’s Representative expressed his gratitude for the Philippines’ attendance at the celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of the Cook Islands’ Self Governance which was held in Rarotonga on 04 August 2015. He also acknowledged the important contributions of an increasing number of Filipinos to his country’s growth and service sector. He stated that the Filipino community in the Cook Islands are a well-respected group. Ambassador Benavidez highlighted the close and friendly relations with the Cook Islands at the bilateral, regional and multilateral arenas. The Queen’s Representative and the Ambassador also discussed ways to enhance the existing bilateral relations between the two countries. Ambassador Benavidez reiterated the best wishes and greetings of H.E. Benigno S. Aquino III, President of the Republic of the Philippines, to H.E. Tom Marsters on the significant occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Self Governance of Cook Islands and presented the Queen’s Representative and Mrs. Tuaine d'Arorangi with a token of appreciation, the latest WOW Magic Sing Grand Rhapsody Videoke Microphones with 5,156 built-in English and Filipino songs with colourful background shots of the beautiful tourism destinations and stunning sceneries in the Philippines.

During the call of Ambassador Benavidez on Deputy Prime Minister Teariki Heather held at the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, she highlighted the fact that the Philippines greatly values its deepening cooperation with the Cook Islands in the Pacific region as both countries are bound together by the vast expanse of the Pacific facing the same challenges and sharing the same opportunities and responsibilities. Discussions were focused on the bilateral relations between the Philippines and the Cook Islands and its strong people-to-people ties as well as on ways of further enhancing cooperation ‎between both countries at the national, regional and international levels. Ambassador Benavidez presented the Deputy Prime Minister with a token gift of appreciation and the Deputy Prime Minister Heather also presented the Ambassador with a special gift from the Cook Islands.

In both calls, Ambassador Benavidez stated that it was a great honour and distinct privilege to be the Philippines’ non-Resident ‎Ambassador to the Cook Islands based in New Zealand, stating that the Philippine Government remains committed to strengthening the people-based relationship with Cook Islands and the mutually beneficial partnership and linkages between the peoples of both countries.