The Presbyterian Church responded positively to an invitationfrom theCook Islands Christian Church to be guests at its General Assembly in July 2001. And while the delegation was there it took the opportunity to set the relationship between the two churches on a more positive footing.

Constructive talks between CICC leaders and the Presbyterian Church team took place in a spirit of reconciliation. The discussions recognised the need to set aside past disagreements and open the door to a new relationship grounded in shared mission.

In a joint statement agreed unanimously by the Assembly, our two churches acknowledged a shared belief that God is calling us to work together for the sake of the 44,000 Cook Islanders in New Zealand who are not presently part of a church community.

"As partner churches we committed ourselves to deepening our fellowship in Christ through sharing information, our spiritual life and our missional activities" says the Moderator of the General Assembly, the Rt. Rev'd. Rob Yule who headed the delegation.

As well as the Moderator, the New Zealand party included the Moderator of the Pacific Islanders' Synod the Rev. Bill Cuthers and Mrs Jean Cuthers, the Chairman of the Uapou Fellowship the Rev. Toko Ine, the Co-Director of the Mission resource Team (Pacific Islanders) the Rev. Don Ikitoelagi and the Rev. Ere Talagi Ikitoelagi, Chris Nichol, Secretary to the church's Pacific Relations Programme, the Rev. Tokerau Joseph from Otara and the Rev. Kimi and Mrs Raylene Henry from In