New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Rt. Hon. Winston Peters, is making an official visit to Tonga, arriving tonight, at Fua'amotu International Airport, the Tonga Prime Minister's Office announced.

In Nuku'alofa, he will hold a bilateral meeting with the Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Samiu Vaipulu, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu, the Tonga's Foreign Affairs office stated.

During his visit, he will open a new central pharmacy warehouse for the Ministry of Health, that was funded by New Zealand and was constructed in April 2021 in support of Tonga’s COVID-19 response.

Beehive

The New Zealand government's official website, the Beehive, said that Minister Peters will be accompanied by the Health Minister and Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti, visiting Tonga, Cook Islands and Samoa this week.

“New Zealand enjoys strong and long-standing relationships with our Pacific partners - especially in Polynesia, where we have close political, economic, and people-to-people ties,” said Mr Peters.

“This trip is an opportunity for New Zealand to continue to strengthen and progress our bilateral cooperation with Tonga, Cook Islands, and Samoa while supporting each country’s respective development goals.

“Given New Zealand’s place and influence in the region, our visit will also reinforce our commitment to collectively responding to the many — and varied — strategic issues and challenges facing both the Pacific, and the wider Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters said.

Minister Reti said he is pleased to undertake a visit to Polynesia, representing both his portfolios.

“New Zealand has deep and longstanding cultural links with the Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga, and I am looking forward to reinforcing those, as well as discussing the shared issues our communities face in New Zealand and the Pacific, particularly in health.”

The Ministers will meet with the Acting Prime Minister in Tonga, and the Prime Ministers of Cook Islands and Samoa; undertake calls on cultural, community and political leaders; and visit New Zealand-supported activities.

Minister Reti will also meet with select health officials in each country to discuss New Zealand’s role in working together to deliver on long-term health priorities, both nationally and regionally.

Ministers Peters and Reti depart New Zealand tonight (6 February) and return on Saturday 10 February. They will travel on an NZDF plane.