NZ Deputy PM Carmel Sepuloni arrives in Tonga [1]
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 - 23:13
New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Carmel Sepuloni arrived in Tonga this evening, 19 April on the last leg of a Pacific Mission, that first visited Solomon Islands and Fiji.
Of Tongan descent, the DPM who is also the Associate Foreign Affairs (Pacific Region) Minister led the first mission since the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said the Pacific region remains their Government’s foreign policy priority, and that includes continuing to strengthen Aotearoa New Zealand’s relationship with Pacific whanau.
“The Pacific Mission provides us with an invaluable opportunity to strengthen our relationships even further, and reaffirm our commitment to working alongside our Pacific whānau to respond to challenges together.
“Aotearoa New Zealand is in and of the Pacific. What happens within the Pacific region impacts New Zealanders here at home.
“Our shared Blue Pacific Continent also faces a range of challenges including institutional and economic fragility, social and demographic issues, and increasing geo-strategic competition."
“In addition, with a focus on climate change and a strong delegation representing all pockets of our country, our message on the Pacific Mission is clear, we’re committed to working together in partnership, to tackle the challenges our region faces like climate change, cost of living pressures, global inflation and heightened strategic competition,” said Hon. Sepuloni.
“The Pacific Mission underlines our place in the region, in partnership with and alongside our Pacific whānau."
Tonga
Meanwhile, the delegation which has about 60 people has the Minister for Pacific Peoples, Barbara Edmonds, Minister for Climate Change James Shaw with MPs including, Jenny Salesa, NGO representatives with business/community leaders and Pacific youth.
They were welcomed at the New Zealand High Official residence in Popua.
Hon Sepuloni will meet with the Prime Minister, Hon. Hu'akavameiliku and Cabinet Ministers tomorrow, 20 April, to discuss the strong and longstanding partnership between Tonga and New Zealand.
“New Zealand's investment in Tonga is extensive including in priority sectors of education and policing, so she is expected to visit Tailulu College and Tonga Police. The High-Level program runs in parallel to the program of the remainder of the delegation, which has a more focused economic and human development agenda visits,” stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nuku'alofa.
The delegation is then expected to depart Tonga on 21 April.