Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says, New Zealand’s relationship with Tonga has been strengthened by the visit of a cross-party delegation to Nuku’alofa.
Tonga is the first destination that the New Zealand delegation has visited on this Pacific trip, to be followed by Hawaii, Fiji and Vanuatu.
“New Zealand and Tonga share a close, warm, long-standing relationship, and this visit provided our delegation with an opportunity to connect with Prime Minister ‘Aisake Valu Eke and the new Tongan Cabinet,” Mr Peters says.
Mr Peters and Prime Minister Eke also acknowledged the success of the long-term partnership between Tonga and New Zealand on security, including on defence, policing, and combating trans-national crime.
During the visit to Nuku’alofa, Mr Peters and the delegation:
- announced it would become simpler and less expensive for Pacific visitors, including from Tonga, to come to New Zealand with upcoming changes to immigration settings;
- launched a maritime safety community awareness and education programme Safer Waters, Safer Communities;
- unveiled a programme aimed at boosting agricultural research and capacity; &
- previewed the design of the new Tongan Fale Alea (Parliament), a project co-funded with Tonga and Australia.
