NEW ZEALAND DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT TO RECONNECT, AND STRENGTHEN TIES

MINISTER KAMIKAMICA EXPRESSED GRATITUDE TO THE PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND FOR THEIR LONG-STANDING SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIP WITH FIJI “Our two nations have enjoyed a close and friendly relationship for many decades, with strong people-to-people ti

New Zealand has been a steadfast friend of Fiji, providing assistance in times of need and supporting our development efforts. Fiji and New Zealand have a shared history and a common future, based on the principles of mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.

This was highlighted by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Tourism and Co-operatives and Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, Manoa Kamikamica, at the welcome reception cocktail for the New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Foreign Affairs (Pacific Region) Minister, Carmel Sepuloni, in Suva on Tuesday evening. Mr Kamikamica, speaking at the event held at the New Zealand High Commissioner’s residence, expressed his gratitude to the people and Government of New Zealand for their long-standing support and partnership with Fiji.

“Our two nations have enjoyed a close and friendly relationship for many decades, with strong people-to-people ties,” he said.

Minister Kamikamica expressed his appreciation towards the significant contributions that the Fijian diaspora in New Zealand have made to both nations, enriching the cultural diversity and strengthening the people-to-people ties.

“There is no doubt that your mission to Fiji will add to and grow our bonds and partnership on all fronts. Your mission is an invaluable opportunity

to strengthen our relationship and reaffirm our commitment to collaborating on challenges common to us,” the minister said.

Ms Sepuloni said the purpose of her visit was to reconnect and to discuss the shared challenges and how New Zealand and Fiji can work together.

“It is about resilience and partnership, Fiji is incredibly important to New Zealand, the Pacific region is New Zealand’s priority with regards to our foreign affairs programme and all the work that we do.”

Minister Sepuloni added that her delegation is looking forward to meeting

with their counterparts, discussing important issues like climate change, impacts of global inflation, fisheries and everything that matters in the region but mostly strengthening the relationship between Fiji and New Zealand.

Photos: Fiji Government Second from left: Minister for Rural, Maritime Development and Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for External Trade, Cooperatives and SMEs Manoa Kamikamica, New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Foreign Affairs (Pacific Region) Minister, Carmel Sepuloni, New Zealand High commissioner to Fiji Charlotte Darlow, AttorneyGeneral and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka at the NZ High Commissioner’s Residence on April 18, 2023.

New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Foreign Affairs (Pacific Region) Minister, Carmel Sepuloni with former Member of Parliament Bernadette Rounds Ganilau at the welcome reception cocktail in Suva on April 18, 2023.