Palmerston North, October 4, 2025 – In a ceremony filled with symbolism and fraternity, the city of Palmerston North witnessed this morning the historic raising of the national flag of the Republic of Cuba on the official flagpole at the Cenotaph, located in Te Marae o Hine – The Square.
The event was attended by the Ambassador of Cuba to New Zealand, Luis Ernesto Morejón Rodríguez, and the Ambassador of South Africa, who, together with Shaun Kai, representative of the City Council, took part in this solemn gesture that underscores the values of friendship and solidarity between Cuba, Palmerston North, and Aotearoa New Zealand.
The raising of the Cuban flag, which flew alongside the Mayor’s flag and the national flag of New Zealand, was a moment of shared pride, reflecting the cultural and diplomatic ties that have been strengthened over the years.
The chosen site, the Palmerston North Cenotaph, holds deep historical significance: erected in memory of those who fell in the Second World War, it has become a place of remembrance and tribute to the universal values of peace, sacrifice, and solidarity. The presence of the Cuban flag at this symbolic landmark highlights the common will to honor memory and to build bridges of understanding between peoples.
The Cuban Ambassador expressed gratitude for the city’s hospitality and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to cultural, educational, and friendship-based cooperation. For his part, Shaun Kai conveyed Palmerston North’s pride in hosting this historic gesture, which reaffirms the city’s inclusive and multicultural character.
This flag-raising marks a milestone in the relationship between Cuba and Palmerston North, projecting into the future a spirit of fraternity grounded in the shared history of resistance, dignity, and hope.