Despite coming from a tiny Pacific island nation, Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna describes Dunedin as "cute".
Mr Puna, his wife Akaiti, Cook Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand Tiki Matapo and Mr Puna's chief executive Edwin Pittman were greeted with a traditional turou (welcome) by the city's Cook Islands community at the University of Otago Hunter Centre last night.
Laden with colourful ei, Mr Puna and his small delegation sat down to a typical Cook Islands kaikai (feast), including taro, maniota (arrowroot) and the islands' version of chicken curry, potato salad, chop suey and doughnuts.
Representatives of the university and Dunedin City Council, as well as local member of Parliament Michael Woodhouse joined about 60 people present.
Mr Puna told the Otago Daily Times he made a promise to a member of Otago's Cook Islands community he would visit when given the opportunity.
On his South Island tour he will also take in Ashburton, where a large number of Cook Islanders live, as well as Christchurch and Invercargill.
The governing Cook Islands Party, led by Mr Puna, pledged support to Christchurch earthquake victims by offering nominated Christchurch "heroes" paid holidays in Rarotonga.
Mr Puna said he would update Christchurch mayor Bob Parker about the project's success when in the city.
He said his first impressions of Dunedin were positive.
"It's a beautiful place - very cute," Mr Puna said. He is expected to return to Rarotonga next week.
