The Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives (Parliament), Rt Hon Trevor Mallard and 8 members of the New Zealand Parliament met with the Speaker of National Parliament Mr Ajilon Nasiu and Parliamentary Officials at the Parliament House.
During the meeting Mr Nasiu highlight the challenges faced by the National Parliament and at the same time he thanked the New Zealand government for funding the Pacific Parliamentary Effectiveness Initiative (PPEI) programme which the National Parliament is a beneficiary of.
In response Hon Mallard thanked the Speaker for the welcome and stated that one of the purposes of the visit was to see how the Solomon Islands had transitioned after RAMSI as well as to discuss possible linkages between both Parliaments.
The Solomon Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand Mrs. Joy Kere was also present during the meeting.
The New Zealand delegation will meet with the Leader of Opposition and the Leader of the Independents along with the Deputy Speaker and Committee Chairs tomorrow morning before visiting New Zealand funded programs along West Guadalcanal.
The New Zealand Parliamentary delegation consists of:
- Rt Hon Trevor Mallard, Speaker (MP, Labour – Hutt South)
- Hon Anne Tolley, Deputy Speaker (MP, National – East Coast)
- Poto Williams, Assistant Speaker (MP, Labour – Christchurch East)
- Adrian Rurawhe, Assistant Speaker (MP, Labour – Te Tai Hauāuru)
- Hon Louise Upston (MP, National – Taupo)
- Stuart Smith (MP, National – Kaikoura)
- Matt King (MP, National – Northland)
- Willow-Jean Prime (MP, Labour – list)
- Jan Tinetti (MP, Labour – list)
- Amy Brier, Delegation Secretary/Manager Parliamentary Engagement
- Esther Jens, MFAT Liaison
The visiting Delegation leaves the country on Friday 5th October 2018
//Ends