NZ must make serious effort to help Solomon Islands

New Zealand must show that it is serious about helping the Solomon Islands and make a more substantial effort this time to help, says National's Foreign Affairs spokesperson Dr Wayne Mapp.

"New Zealand has known for several years how bad the situation is in the Solomons and up till now our efforts have been ineffectual.

"The Government says they will consider armed police and military backup. If this is the case it should be the military involved. Police are to fight crime in New Zealand, and they have enough problems to worry about back home.

"At the very least, it is good to see that Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff is paying more attention to regional issues, rather than grandstanding in the Middle East, where our efforts did nothing to promote the peace process and set back New Zealand's international reputation," said Dr Mapp.

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