Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni has reaffirmed New Zealand’s position with the people of Fiji during her 24-hour visit to Suva as part of her three-country Pacific mission.
Minister Sepuloni says Fiji is incredibly important to New Zealand and shared these sentiments earlier in the day during her bilateral discussion with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
“The purpose of this mission is to reconnect, it is about our shared challenges and how we work together, it is about resilience and it is about partnership,” she says.
Addressing members of Fiji’s government and guests at the New Zealand’s High Commission residence, Minister Sepuloni emphasised the importance of addressing climate change and global impacts.
“Climate change, impacts of global inflation, fisheries, talking about everything that matters to the Pacific region, strengthening the relationships that already existed between Fiji, making it even stronger and forming more life long friends.”
Deputy Prime of Fiji Manoa Kamikamica acknowledged the relationship and longstanding partnership that exists between the two countries and commended New Zealand for its role in supporting Fiji during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Minister Kamikamcia acknowledged that training and economic relations have grown stronger between the two countries and says New Zealand is one of Fiji’s most important trading partners.
“Our bilateral trade has been steadily increasing and local business continues to grow as well as growing employment opportunities for Fijians. Fiji and New Zealand must work together.”
The Minister says the visit from the New Zealand delegation demonstrates New Zealand’s support and acknowledgment for a new vision for Fiji.
To mark the visit to Fiji, Minister Sepuloni was welcomed to the country with a traditional Sevusevu ceremony. The New Zealand delegation will move on to Tonga for the final leg of the mission.
