Strengthening ties in the Pacific is at the forefront of the first select committee delegation of the 53rd Parliament.

The Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee travels to Fiji this week to meet with members of the Parliament of the Republic of Fiji.

The delegation will be led by committee Chair Hon Jenny Salesa, with Deputy Chair Hon Gerry Brownlee; Golriz Ghahraman MP; Ingrid Leary MP; Ibrahim Omer MP; and Nicola Grigg MP attending.

The purpose of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations between New Zealand and Fiji; gain an understanding of regional strategic decisions; and better understand each countries’ response to COVID-19.

During the trip the group will have the opportunity to meet with the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Fijian Group, as well as other members of Parliament.

Hon Jenny Salesa says the delegation provides the opportunity to explore New Zealand’s relationship with Fiji, especially regarding the committee’s inquiry into illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing initiated in July 2021.

“We have a keen interest in meeting with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific. We’re especially interested in hearing from those who submitted on our illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing inquiry.

“It’s important that the select committee gains a better understanding of how these activities affect the environment and our Pacific partners, as well as exploring what could be done to help our committee meet its inquiries terms of reference.”

Hon Gerry Brownlee believes Fiji is an important “Pacific partner for New Zealand”.

“As geo-strategic interest in the Pacific intensifies, the opportunity for face-to-face discussion with like-minded counterparts strengthens the stability and security of our part of the world.”

The Speaker chooses a select committee to travel internationally to engage with overseas select committees and Parliaments once a parliamentary term. This delegation supports the New Zealand Parliament’s wider engagement with the Pacific.

The last parliamentary delegation to Fiji was led by Speaker Rt Hon Trevor Mallard in October 2019 as part of a wider trip to Tonga and Fiji. Members met with the Speakers of both nations and visited sites of New Zealand development assistance.

Further Information

The Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee is one of New Zealand Parliament’s 12 subject select committees. The committee looks at business related to customs, defence, disarmament and arms control, foreign affairs, trade and veterans’ affairs.

This delegation includes committee Chair Hon Jenny Salesa; Deputy Chair Hon Gerry Brownlee; Golriz Ghahraman MP; Ingrid Leary MP; Ibrahim Omer MP; and Nicola Grigg MP. The trip commences on Tuesday, 9 August and ends Sunday, 14 August.

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