Sir Rabbie is the keynote speaker at the Pacific Cooperation Foundation’s Tok Talanoa, a symposium now being held in Wellington aiming to develop the understanding New Zealanders have of the Melanesian region.
Sir Rabbie said it is important that practical solutions to significant problems facing PNG are found.
He would like to see more of New Zealand’s aid assistance to PNG, the rest of Melanesia and the wider Pacific, going toward the development of entrepreneurial skills.
“Because that is the best way to build a middle class that will sustain, that will promote sustainable development in the long term, instead of depending on overseas aid into the future,” he said.
Sir Rabbie said New Zealand could seek to be a dialogue partner to the Melanesian Spearhead Group, and for this country to include PNG in its recognized seasonal employer scheme.
