-
- Lord Tu’i’afitu, Acting Speaker of the House (Noble’s Representative for Vava’u) hosted Minister Brownlee and New Zealand High Commissioner Sarah Walsh to meet with the Nobles’ Representatives. They were welcomed by (left to right) Lord Nuku (Nobles’ Representative for ‘Eua), Lord Tu’i’afitu (Noble’s Representative for Vava’u), Lord Tu’iha’ateiho (Noble’s Representative for Ha’apai), and Lord Vaea (Nobles Representative for Tongatapu). Photo/New Zealand High Commission Nuku’alofa
-
- L to R: HR Manager Sokopeti Faletau, Deputy Commissioner Pelenatita Vaisuai, Deputy Secretary MFAT, Jonathan Kings, Acting Commissioner Viliami ‘Unga Fa’aoa, Police Minister Tapueluelu, Minister Brownlee, New Zealand High Commissioner HE Sarah Walsh, Supt. Ged Byers (Advisor), Acting Deputy Commissioner Atunaisa Taumoepeau, Det Insp Eddie Lyttle (Advisor) . Photo/New Zealand High Commission Nukuʻalofa
-
- L to R: Pousima Afeaki (Tinopai Farm), New Zealand High Commissioner Sarah Walsh, Hon. Semisi Fakahau (Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forests & Fisheries), Hon. Minster Gerry Brownlee, Lord Sevele (CEO, Tonga Pacific Games Organising Committee), and Tevita Palu (CEO, Real Tonga Airlines). Photo/New Zealand High Commission Nukuʻalofa
-
- Left: Jonathan Kings, Deputy Secretary of Pacific and Development Group, New Zealand High Commission Staff with High Commissioner HE Sarah Walsh and Minister Brownlee. Photo/New Zealand High Commission Nukuʻalofa
-
- Minister Brownlee, Hon Poasi Tei (Minister for Public Enterprises), Carl Sanft (Chair of the Public Utilities Board), New Zealand High Commissioner Sarah Walsh, Jonathan Kings (Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade), Robert Matthews (Chief Executive, Tonga Power Limited) with staff from Tonga Power Limited and ‘Alaki community leaders. Photo/New Zealand High Commission Nukuʻalofa
-
- Minister Gerry Brownlee with four of 17 trainees from Tonga Power Limited who have completed the Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply (Line Mechanic Distribution) L to R: Sosefate Tanaki (Team Leader), Tanite Mafileo (Team Leader), Maletina Folau (Team Leader), Kapiteni Fifita (Project Supervisor) and Neil Jones (Tonga Village Network Upgrade Project Leader). Photo/New Zealand High Commission Nukuʻalofa
-
- Minister Brownlee and Prime Minister Pohiva. Photo/New Zealand High Commission Nukuʻalofa
Minister Gerry Brownlee concluded his first trip to the Pacific since taking on the role as New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and described it as a resounding success.
Minister Brownlee said “I’ve been humbled by the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me by the people of Tonga and have found learning more about this beautiful kingdom both rewarding and informative.
I’ve managed to pack a lot in to my two days here – I’ve met with His Majesty King Tupou VI and Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva, as well as several ministers, representatives of the Nobles, local business leaders and exporters.
A highlight for me was seeing the New Zealand-funded Tonga Village electricity upgrade project in action. Not only will projects like this make daily life a little easier for communities, but with resilient infrastructure comes more resilient economies.
I believe Tonga has many opportunities to grow its economy – through enhanced export trade, manufacturing, agriculture and tourism.
As with any nation trying to grow its economy, I’m aware Tonga faces many challenges and I’m eager to see how New Zealand may be able to help Tonga overcome some of them.
The reason I chose to visit Tonga so early in my tenure as Foreign Minister is because I value the close and cooperative relationship between our two nations. My predecessor placed particular emphasis on the Pacific over the last eight years and I would like to assure people that I intend to do the same.
I believe maritime security should be an essential focus for both New Zealand and Tonga as illegal ocean activity undermines all Pacific nations.
Tonga and New Zealand have close ties in the Defence, security, justice and energy sectors and I look forward to building on the already strong relationship between our two countries”.
