NZ HC Keen On Extending Cowra Ties

“The answer has to be a very strong ‘yes’”. That was answer given by New Zealand High Commissioner Dame Annette King when asked if she enjoyed herself in Cowra during her visit for this year’s Festival of International Understanding.

Mrs King represented New Zealand in an official capacity at the festival, with New Zealand being the host nation for the first time since 1994, and for the third time ever, with the first occurrence being 1965. She proved one of the most active high commissioners or ambassadors at the festival in recent years, involving herself in every event the festival held, from the opening dinner on the Friday night, right through to the cricket match that concluded the event on the Sunday afternoon. She said the friendly people of Cowra was what she enjoyed most about coming to town.

“Our whole delegation, and there was over 30 of us, was still buzzing about the weekend, how much there was to do, how people included them, and how New Zealand was being welcomed into Cowra,” she said.

“The town and the people have made a big impression on us here in Canberra.” Mrs King praised the efforts of Cowra Shire Council and the event organisers as well. “I don’t think I’ve been to anything like it in New Zealand where you have a country celebrated. One of things I really loved was the Youth Ambassadors, because they will remember what they learned about New Zealand,” she said.

She said the festival successfully portrayed New Zealand “in every aspect”. “I hope we can at least keep one part of it going, an annual cricket match between the New Zealand High Commission and Cowra, and hopefully we’ll improve next time,” she said, tongue-in-cheek.

Mrs King said she would be willing to visit Cowra again as the High Commissioner of New Zealand to Australia.

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