The mobile consular services of the Philippine Embassy continues to serve Filipino communities in New Zealand for the fourth consecutive year. Consul General Arlene Gonzales-Macaisa led the Philippine Embassy Mobile Consular Team, composed of Ms. Ma. Victoria Reyes, Ms. Monette Garcia and Ms. Mary Bel Garcia, in conducting mobile consular services for the benefit of Filipinos in Gore and the surrounding areas of the South Island on 10-14 September 2015. Called “The Philippine Embassy in New Zealand: Serving with a Smile, Going the Extra Mile and Reaching Beyond Our Grasp” mobile consular services, 366 Filipinos from Gore, Dunedin, Balclutha, Christchurch, Winton, Oamaru, Kaitangata, Kaitaia, Otautau, Queenstown, Invercargill, Ashburton, Winton, Waimate and adjacent areas in the South Island availed of e-passports processing, notarial documentation, reports of birth and marriage, dual citizenship and overseas voting registration services. This is the 48th mobile consular mission conducted by the Philippine Embassy since October 2011. To date, a total of 18,795 Filipinos comprising 45.71% of the 41,129 members of the Filipino community have benefitted from this first ever mobile consular service throughout the North and South Islands of New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and Cook Islands.

The Filipino community members in Gore reiterated their deep gratitude to the Philippine Government through the Philippine Embassy for rendering the much needed and sought after consular services right where they are residing and working. Mr. John Miguel C. Ayo, the first passport applicant, and Ms. Johanna Ayo, first overseas voting registrant, conveyed their appreciation to the Philippine Embassy and said that they were thankful for the services rendered by the consular mobile team. Several Filipinos also gave very positive and highly appreciative feedback to the Philippine Embassy for this continuing excellent and timely service which saves them a lot of money, time, days off and resources as it would have been extremely costly, inconvenient and difficult if they had to go all the way to Wellington.

The Philippine Embassy Mobile Consular Team reiterated their deep appreciation to the Filipino Community in Gore, namely, Ms. Susan McCauley, Ms. Gloria Reid, Ms. Wiwin Hendry, Fr. Fredy Permentialla, Mr. Robert Ege and other members of the Filipino community in Gore for their vital support and exemplary cooperation that immensely contributed to a successful consular outreach mission in Gore.

The next consular mission is being scheduled in Tauranga. Details will be uploaded at the Philippine Embassy website www.philembassy.org.nz and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineEmbassyWellingtonNewZealand