11 November 2014 – In line with the Philippine Embassy’s continuing efforts to promote closer ties with New Zealand’s local governments, Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia H. Benavidez, accompanied by Philippine Minister and Consul General Arlene Gonzales-Macaisa, paid an official and business call on Mayor Andrew Judd at the New Plymouth District Council Civic Centre in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand on October 24. The meeting was made during the simultaneous delivery of the Embassy’s mobile consular services for the benefit of Filipinos in the Taranaki and surrounding areas in the North Island in New Zealand from October 24 to 27.
Mayor Judd warmly welcomed Ambassador Benavidez and stated that Filipinos are active and vibrant members of the New Plymouth District. He said that Taranaki’s doors are open to Filipinos and that he encourages more to come to Taranaki. The Mayor also expressed his delight at being invited to formally welcome the participants of the Filipino Labour Weekend Festival in New Plymouth on October 24.
Ambassador Benavidez shared with Mayor Judd that the Filipino Labour Weekend Festival is an annual event for Filipinos in New Zealand and that the Philippine Embassy’s mobile consular services was planned to coincide with the Pistang Pilipino 2014 sa New Plymouth from October 25 to 26. She informed the Mayor that New Zealand has significant and growing, people-to-people links with the Philippines, and told him that the Filipino population has increased significantly in New Zealand totalling 40,350 with 666 living in the Taranaki Region.
Discussions focused on developing deeper relations with the Philippines utilizing strengths that Taranaki has to offer, such as Taranaki’s excellent educational, engineering and dairy institutions. Mayor Judd and Ambassador Benavidez both expressed the hope for collaborative projects aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties between the Philippines and New Zealand.
Ambassador Benavidez thanked Mayor Judd for the productive meeting and said that she looks forward to further enhancing relations with Taranaki. END