Winston Peters leads delegation to South America along with historic Rapa Nui visit

Foreign Affairs Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters is currently in Argentina, the first stop of his South America mission which includes a rare ministerial visit to Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

The visit to the Chilean territory will be the first by a New Zealand Foreign Minister in over two decades following former Labour Minister Phil Goff’s visit in 2005.

The delegation will visit Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Rapa Nui and French Polynesia.

Peters says the trip to South America aims to navigate an “increasingly uncertain global environment”.

“Our Latin American partners are important to us and this visit will raise our commercial profile in the region and create opportunities for New Zealand businesses,” Peters says.

“The delegation will promote New Zealand’s reputation as a provider of innovative, high-quality products and services and help create new commercial linkages. Latin American markets offer exciting potential for New Zealand exporters.”

Rapa Nui are famous for their Moai Statues, which are monolithic human figures carved from stone. Photo/PMN News/Ala Vailala

The political delegation includes Courts Minister and Associate Justice Minister Nicole Mckee, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee chair Tim van de Molen, Deputy Opposition Leader Carmel Sepuloni and Opposition Trade spokesperson Damien O’Connor.

The business delegation highlights the trip’s focus on agriculture, technology, education and advanced manufacturing.

Among the representatives includes former Cabinet Minister now Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, Nathan Guy and Livestock Improvement Corporation’s (LIC) distributor markets manager Barry Allison.

Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, the delegation was greeted by members of the three forces which is considered a huge honour. Photo/PMN News/Ala Vailala

The LIC is a major player in dairy generatics and farm technology.

The education sector is represented by Universities New Zealand deputy chief executive Dr Bronwyn Kelly and manufacturing and agritech companies such as AoFrio and Argus heating are also part of the business delegation.

During New Zealand's mission, short programmes will be undertaken in Rapa Nui and French Polynesia with Peters to meet with leaders of each nation.

“The Pacific is central to New Zealand’s foreign policy approach,” Peters says.

“We are pleased to have visited all Pacific Islands Forum countries at least once during this Parliamentary term and are looking forward to returning to French Polynesia and to making connections in Rapa Nui.”

The delegation returns on the 9th March.