Palmerston North, 23 September 2026. The Ambassador of Cuba to New Zealand, Luis Ernesto Morejón, paid a farewell visit to the Palmerston North Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee as his diplomatic mission in Aotearoa New Zealand draws to a close.
Addressing the Committee, Ambassador Morejón reflected on the special place Palmerston North has come to hold for him and his family during their three years in New Zealand. He noted that they had first arrived as official visitors but were leaving as friends of the city and its people.
The Ambassador said that, when asked what his family would remember most about New Zealand, their answer would be Palmerston North — a city with the rare ability to make people feel that they belong.
He reflected on the Māori values of manaakitanga, associated with generosity, respect, kindness and care for others, and whanaungatanga, expressing the importance of relationships, belonging and community.
Ambassador Morejón expressed his deep gratitude to the Palmerston North City Council and to all those who have supported cultural initiatives and welcomed Cuba to the community. He also acknowledged the opportunities to learn from the Manawatū region through Massey University, the Riddet Institute, Fonterra, farmers, entrepreneurs and the wider community.
He offered particular thanks to Mayor Grant Smith for his friendship, support for cultural initiatives and commitment to building bridges between Palmerston North and the wider international community.
The Ambassador also recalled the powerful significance for his family of seeing the Cuban flag raised in The Square, describing it as a reminder that respect between people is not measured by the size of a country or the distance separating them, but by a willingness to recognise one another's dignity.
In conclusion, Ambassador Morejón shared the Māori whakataukī:
“He aha te mea nui o te ao?
He tangata. He tangata. He tangata.”
“What is the most important thing in the world? It is people. It is people. It is people.”
He said that while Cuba would always be home, Palmerston North would remain a very special part of his family's life, and expressed his hope that the friendship between Cuba and Palmerston North would continue to flourish.
“The strongest bridges between nations are not built of steel or stone. They are built by people,” he said.