Manawatū and Cova Lima Sign New Partnership

The agreement formalises a shared commitment to collaborate in areas including local governance, agriculture, seasonal employment, education, and cultural exchange. It highlights the importance of local-to-local cooperation and the power of community-driven relationships in addressing shared challenges and unlocking future opportunities.

The Memorandum was officially signed by Mayor Helen Worboys and His Excellency Mr. Tomás do Rosário Cabral, Cova Lima’s Minister of State Administration, during a ceremony held on Wednesday 30 July 2025. Mayor Worboys reflected, “This Memorandum is about connection—between people, places, and possibilities. We look forward to learning from our colleagues in Cova Lima and sharing our own experiences in return.”

But the connection between Manawatū and Cova Lima runs deeper than a single agreement. It has been shaped over the years through the quiet efforts of individuals—many of them members of the New Zealand Defence Force who served in the region and forged personal bonds that endure today.

Among them is Councillor Andrew Quarrie, who served in Cova Lima and recounted witnessing a local working the land not with a shovel, but with a simple pole. Moved by the experience, he contacted the Rongotea Lions Club, who organised a shipment of shovels and seeds. It was a simple gesture, but one that captured the spirit of practical solidarity and people-to-people support.

Another powerful voice at the signing was Chris Parsons, who was admitted as a Member in the New Zealand Order of Merit for his service. On 8 September 1999, he left for work and was unexpectedly deployed to Timor-Leste, not returning home for three months. As a Special Air Service ground commander, he was involved in rescue missions under intense conditions. Yet despite the hardship, he called the mission his “north star”—a defining experience that shaped his belief in the strength of human collaboration to resist oppression and build peace.

New Zealand is not the first country to establish formal ties with Cova Lima.  Sydney, for instance, will celebrate 50 years of partnership with the municipality this year. What makes the Manawatū partnership unique is its strong agricultural foundation. A number of local employers are already exploring seasonal employment opportunities, and Cova Lima is eager to learn more about Manawatū meat and dairy industries.

As Chris Parsons said eloquently during the ceremony, “Now, 26 years on, it’s wonderful to weave another strand into our shared story.”

Following the signing, the delegation visited Ovation to learn more about the region’s food production sector. Their programme continues on Thursday with a tour of the FAHS Farms, before concluding at the Soldier’s Memorial Statue—a fitting end to a visit grounded in connection, remembrance, and shared purpose.

Captions: The official signing ceremony, followed by a tour of the FAHS Farms, before concluding at the Soldier’s Memorial Statue.