NZ PM Key on 2014 Pacific Mission [1]
Tuesday, May 27, 2014 - 19:20. Updated on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 - 21:52.
The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr John Key will leave New Zealand on Sunday June 1 on a five-days tour of Samoa, Tonga and Niue.
According to the New Zealand Government website, Mr Key's 2014 Pacific Mission to Samoa, Tonga and Niue will be ". . . a valuable opportunity to engage with the leaders of these countries on regional priorities ahead of the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting and the conference on Small Island Developing States," said .
The 2014 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting will be held in Palau in July and the Small Island Developing States conference will be held in Samoa in September.
Mr Key's first stop over will be in Samoa where he will attend Samoa's 52nd Independence Day celebration.
June 1 is a public holiday in Samoa to celebrate its independence from New Zealand on 1 January 1962.
"This year also marks the 100th anniversary of New Zealand establishing an occupation over Samoa at the start of World War I. Despite these sombre beginnings, New Zealand has developed a strong, vibrant relationship with Samoa which is reflected by the Treaty of Friendship between our two countries. I look forward to celebrating the strength of our relationship during the visit," said Mr Key.
While in Samoa, he will visit parts of the country that were damaged by the 2009 tsunami and 2012 Cyclone Evan. New Zealand has contributed about NZ$22 million in response to these disasters.
After Samoa, the New Zealand Prime Minister and his delegation of about 40 members, consisting of cross party MPs, Pacific leaders, and representatives from Non-Governmental Organizations will head for Tonga.
"Our visit to Tonga will be an opportunity to have high level discussions, including on renewable energy, which is a priority for the Tongan Government and is supported by the New Zealand Aid Programme," said Mr Key.
In Niue, Mr Key will meet Premier Talagi and key players in Niue's tourism and private sector.
Mr Key last visited Tonga in 2009 when he met the late King George Tupou V at Consular House.