The Prime Minister of Tonga, Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva will depart Tonga today on his first official visit to New Zealand.
The highlight of this visit will be a bilateral meeting with his New Zealand counterpart, John Key on Thursday after a welcoming ceremony.
During the visit, Prime Minister Pohiva will also attend a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Auckland War Memorial Museum and will meet in Auckland with some of the New Zealand Cabinet Ministers and Government Officials.
Prime Minister Pohiva said, ‘I am deeply grateful for the invitation from the Hon Prime Minister of New Zealand to visit New Zealand and to officially meet with him. This is an important visit for the Government and the people of Tonga as it demonstrates the close and strong relationship and friendship shared by the two countries.’
‘The visit will also provide invaluable opportunities to discuss with the New Zealand leaders areas of shared interests to Tonga and New Zealand for future collaboration and cooperation. New Zealand has been one of the major development partners for Tonga in many ways for many years, and this is evident throughout Tonga, so this visit will build on that partnership and to the future.’
The Prime Minister will be accompanied by the Minister for Public Enterprises, Mr Poasi Tei; the Minister for Revenue and Customs, Mr Tevita Lavemaau; the Number One Nobles Representative to Parliament from Tongatapu, Lord Vaea, Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, Dr. Palenitina Langa’oi and Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Va’inga Tone.
The official visit will take place from 27th to 30th July 2016.
The official visit will be followed by a meeting with the Tonga Community in Auckland before the Prime Minister and delegation return to Tonga.