New Zealand, Solomon Islands boost bilateral ties ahead of Forum leaders' summit

A month after the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands assured that his police force could provide security for the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Honiara, Jeremiah Manele has arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand to confirm this with the Government.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced on Monday that he will be hosting his Solomons' counterpart this week.

“The Solomon Islands is an important partner for New Zealand, with which we share a historic connection,” Luxon says in a statement.

“I am looking forward to furthering our bilateral relationship....It will also be good to hear about Solomon Islands’ plans for hosting the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in September.”

The Forum leaders' summit is one of the region's biggest political events, attended annually by heads of government from more than a dozen Pacific island nations.

This will be the second time the Solomon Islands has hosted the summit since the 1990s.

Christopher Luxon will discuss cooperation in key areas with his Solomons Islands' counterpart Jeremiah Manele. Photo/Supplied

Manele earlier told journalists that training and equipment from New Zealand, Australia, and China have helped strengthen the capacity of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).

Before leaving Honiara, Manele told Parliament that he was travelling to New Zealand for a bilateral meeting, "following their invitation which I have postponed for quite some time already".

On 14 July, Manele moved a special adjournment motion in Parliament to postpone its session until 4 August to allow the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to conduct an inquiry and prepare a report on the 2025 Supplementary Appropriation Bill.

The Solomon Islands has recently been criticised for its close ties with China, following the signing of a security agreement between both nations. But Honiara has maintained that there is nothing to be concerned about.

Manele’s visit to New Zealand this week is expected to improve relations and cooperation between the Solomon Islands and New Zealand across key sectors, including development, education, and regional security.

More than 1000 Solomon Islanders have made New Zealand their home, with 1100 participating in the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme over the last 12 months.

New Zealand has a long-standing development co-operation partnership with the Solomon Islands, which includes support for education, economic development, climate resilience, and peacebuilding.

While in New Zealand, Manele will attend various business and community events. He will also meet with Foreign Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones.

On Tuesday, Manele visited the Auckland Fish Market and Sanford Limited, New Zealand’s oldest and largest seafood company.

Manele last visited Aotearoa in his previous role as the Foreign Minister of the Solomon Islands in 2022. His office has confirmed that he will return home this weekend.