Foreign Affairs Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta (pictured) departs for Fiji today (Monday), her first trip to the Pacific since announcing New Zealand’s Pacific Resilience approach last year.
Minister Mahuta says this visit is an important step in reconnecting Aotearoa New Zealand with Pacific whanaunga, and an opportunity to engage on key issues facing our region.
“As our largest Pacific trading partner and a key regional hub, the importance of the Fiji–Aotearoa New Zealand relationship is both significant and influential,” Minister Mahuta adds.
While in Fiji, Minister Mahuta will meet with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama.
She will also attend an event at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, participate in a Fijian women leaders’ roundtable and visit development projects.
The Minister says over the past two years COVID-19 has had profound health, economic and social impacts on New Zealand’s Pacific partners and its ability to connect kanohi ki te kanohi.
“I look forward to engaging with our Fijian partners in person and reaffirming the close links that already exist between our two countries,” she says.
“This visit will allow me to discuss and strengthen further opportunities for Aotearoa New Zealand to work alongside Fiji — and their government, leadership and stakeholders — to deliver long-term resilience for our region.”