ALOFI (Niue Economic Review/PINA) — New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff leads a delegation of MPs, NGOs, academics and officials to Samoa and the Cook Island.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 727 jet carrying the group was scheduled to stop-off in Niue briefly to refuel on Saturday.
The visit is part of a continuing program of such visits to Pacific islands countries by such groups, including parliamentarians from across the political spectrum.
They are seen as an opportunity for New Zealand to broaden its understanding of the Pacific and in this case to strengthen links with Samoa and the Cook Islands.
Goff said: “The visit to Samoa will be particularly meaningful this year as it celebrates its 40th year of independence.”
He added, “It will also provide a valuable opportunity to build on working relationships with members of the Samoan government following my last visit there in Aug. 2000 for the Forum Foreign Ministers meeting.”
According to Goff, the delegation “will also be visiting aid projects funded through the New Zealand Overseas Development Assistance program.”
He said New Zealand has “exceptionally strong family, economic, political and sporting ties with Samoa.”
It is estimated that 120,000 Samoans now live in New Zealand, Goff said.
“The visit to the Cook Islands will be my first opportunity to meet with the new government and renew acquaintances with newly appointed Cooks Prime Minister Robert Woonton,” Goff said.
“During the visit I will be opening a NZODA funded air strip on the outer island of Mitiaro. This facility will provide a much-needed boost to one of the Cooks lesser developed islands,” he added.
