Pacific Mission 2024 diary: Final leg in Samoa a chance to ‘renew and connect’ + VIDEO

The government's Pacific Mission, led by Deputy Prime Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters and Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti, is travelling to three Pacific islands for a series of meetings and events across Tonga, the Cook Islands and Samoa throughout the week.

And you can stay across our rolling coverage of this four day trip via Instagram, Facebook and this regularly-updated diary.

9 February, 2024 - Samoa

Check out a wrap video of day three on the Pacific Mission.

Watch PMN News reporter Matt Manukuo's update with PacificMornings live from Apia, Samoa:

We’re in the home stretch of the Pacific Mission with the final leg finishing in Samoa.

Deputy Prime Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters and Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti were welcomed by Samoa’s Head of State Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II.

After some remarks from both sides, there was a gift exchange between the two leaders.

The NZ leaders then headed to their first bilateral with Samoa’s Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa at Government House.

Fiamē said it was an opportunity to “connect and renew” relations with New Zealand’s new administration.

Fiamē also announced the signing of the Samoa New Zealand Partnership - a formal agreement to work together on issues such as climate change, human and economic development, and responding to an increasingly complex security environment.

And she acknowledged Peters as “no stranger to Samoa” referring to him as his matai title “Vaovasamanaia”.

In the afternoon, the ministers visited the National University of Samoa (NUS) where they received a special tour of the campus.

New Zealand was acknowledged for their support in the education sector, which was hugely beneficial during Covid.

The New Zealand government provided $3.94 million dollars to develop and offer the Bachelor of Health Sciences qualification at NUS.

Peters also confirmed the government will commit $30 million over five years, to the Polynesian Health Corridors programme - which has been key to supporting improved outcomes in the region.

In the last media press conference of the day the two ministers expressed how pleased they were with their time in the Pacific.

And to round off the mission, the ministers will attend a Waitangi Day Service.

8 February, 2024 - Cook Islands

Check out a wrap video of day two on the Pacific Mission.

Deputy Prime Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters put shoe to shovel for the "ground-breaking" launch of the new Punanga Nui Farmers Market in Rarotonga today. The market is an extension of the award winning Avarua Town Plan project, which New Zealand supported through contributing $8 million towards the plan.

In his opening remarks, Hon. Albert Nicholas refers to Peters as the "action man" and welcomed him "home". Nicholas continued his praise for the New Zealand government's investment, saying it was exciting to have Peters back to help with mobilising such projects across the region.

Nicholas added that for too long development projects in the Pacific have not been actioned fast enough, and he looks forward to Peters' ongoing influence on these issues.

Cook Islands' Prime Minister Mark Brown and NZ's Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters addressing media. Photo/ PMN News/ Eroti Navuku

Bilateral meetings

The first bilateral meeting with the New Zealand delegation and Cook Islands' cabinet ministers focused on the important issues facing the Cook Islands.

Prime Minister Mark Brown said climate change resilience was a huge talking point.

In his opening remarks, he said he was pleased with the bilateral and mentioned the importance of re-engaging New Zealand's new government.

Minister Brown also highlighted the different issues surrounding the Cooks, referencing the trilateral defence agreement and its benefit to the Cook Islands' relations with Australia and New Zealand.

However Brown added that at this stage it’s still in discussion, but he is hopeful further talks will bring it to fruition.

Hon. Mac Mokoroa. Photo/ PMN News/ Eroti Navuku

PMN also caught up with Cook Islands' government's Hon. Mac Mokoroa who holds several portfolios including Minister of Education, Youth & Sports, Punanga Nui, Internal Affairs and Infrastructure.

Mokoroa highlighted climate change and weather related events as some of the important issues impacting the Cooks, referencing Cyclone Nat, which is currently passing through the region. Mokoroa also spoke about the review of the Legislation Land Act which he says needs to be modernised.

And Mokoroa echoed earlier sentiments about the importance of New Zealand's support for the Cook Islands, especially in terms of infrastructure, health and education and he expressed his hope that Peters' trip will make for a prosperous future for both nations.

7 February, 2024 - Tonga

Check out a wrap video of day one on the Pacific Mission.

The first set of the Deputy Prime Minister's bilateral meetings was with Tongan Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Samiu Vaipulu at the St George’s Building in Nuku’alofa.

“A close friend, and a trusted friend," said Minister Vaipulu, when discussing the two countries relationship, adding that: "Tonga and New Zealand enjoy a shared history, linked through our Polynesian heritage."

Following the bi-lateral, Minister Vaipulu was pleased to discuss with Peters priority areas in need of support including climate change, economic development, law, justice and education.

Minister Peters echoed the Vaipulu’s sentiment, emphasising the thousands of years of DNA that links Aotearoa and Tonga. However Peters did not mention any specific amount of funding that New Zealand will commit to Tonga at this point.

The media were then taken to visit the old pharmacy warehouse that had been stretched thin as a result of Covid-19. Boxes of medication and medical tools were seen throughout the small warehouse, which a pharmacist who worked at the site said wasn't sustainable.

Leva’itai Asaeli explained to the media the struggles during the pandemic, as a large amount of backlogged medicines were difficult to distribute.

The old pharmacy warehouse in Tongan that had stretched the countries capability to respond to the Covid-19 crisis. Photo/ PMN News/ Eroti Navuku

Following this visit, dignitaries, delegates and Tongan Royalty were in attendance for the opening of the new pharmacy warehouse in Tonga’s Veitongo.

The New Zealand government committed $2.4 million dollars in April 2021, for the construction of a new central pharmacy warehouse for the Tongan Ministry of Health.

In his remarks, Tonga’s Minister of Health Hon. Dr Siale 'Akau'ola praised New Zealand for their commitment to improving Tonga’s health system, referring to New Zealand as a “big brother” to Tonga.

And New Zealand’s Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti said the new build was encouraging for Tonga, and praised their endurance through what must have been a stressful time for their health-system.

The new $2.4 million central pharmacy warehouse. Photo/ PMN News/ Eroti Navuku

Check out PMN's Matt Manukuo video preview of the Pacific Mission shortly after arriving in Tonga:

Watch PMN's Matt Manukuo interview on 531pi's Pacific Mornings from Tonga: