Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Minister for Pacific People’s Aupito William Sio had a warm meeting in Wellington on 17 May with Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Hon. Kausea Natano. The New Zealand Ministers and Tuvalu Prime Minister reflected on experiences in rolling out a COVID-19 vaccination programme and the ongoing challenges presented by the pandemic as well as in border reopening. They also discussed a number of regional issues, including climate change, labour mobility, education and regional security. The meeting was a chance for whakawhanaungatanga and to reinforce Aotearoa New Zealand’s commitment to working closely with Tuvalu to strengthen Pacific resilience.