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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

New Commonwealth Secretary-General receives Maori welcome

3 April 2000

The Rt Hon Donald C McKinnon took over as Commonwealth Secretary-General this morning. He was welcomed with a traditional Maori ceremony at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth Secretariat Headquarters. Secretary-General McKinnon was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Clare deLore McKinnon, other family members and senior representatives from the New Zealand High Commission in London.
The ceremony, performed by Ngati Ranana, a London-based Maori cultural troupe, opened with a group of warriors who challenged (wero) Mr McKinnon's party at the gate to find out if his intentions were peaceful, and ended with the hariru (handshakes) and hongi (pressing of noses) between Secretary-General McKinnon, staff representing all 5 regions of the Commonwealth and the Deputy Secretaries-General.
Secretary-General McKinnon expressed his pleasure at taking part in a familiar ceremony. In his short speech, he praised the performance and legacy of Chief Emeka Anyaoku, saying: "There can be no greater tribute to Emeka Anyaoku than the high standing and respect that the modern Commonwealth enjoys throughout the international community. From democracy to debt relief, from fighting apartheid to promoting regional investment, the Commonwealth has led the way - thanks very largely to the pioneering work of Chief Anyaoku."
Outgoing Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who was present to receive his successor, offered these words of welcome: "I leave Marlborough House with the quiet satisfaction of knowing that the Commonwealth today is a far greater force for good in the world than the organisation I joined 34 years ago. And I leave with the confidence that my successor, Don McKinnon, will provide the kind of inspiring leadership necessary for the Commonwealth to meet the challenges of the new century."

Note to Editors:
Don McKinnon was elected Secretary-General at the November 1999 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Durban, South Africa. A former New Zealand Foreign Minister, he served as Vice Chair of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration (CMAG) from its inception in 1995.

 

00/20 3 April, 2000

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