Photo: Nathan McKinnon
Papua's New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape arrives in New Zealand today for a three-day state visit.
Marape will meet with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Wellington on Tuesday evening.
The two prime ministers are set to discuss to discuss trade, investment, agriculture, fisheries, education and security as well as other areas of mutual concern between the two nations.
"I am looking forward to meeting with Prime Minister Luxon to further entrench our relationship with New Zealand," Marape said.
A "refreshed" statement of partnership (2025-2029) is set to be signed after their bilateral meeting.
New Zealand signed a Statement of Partnership (2021-2024) with Papua New Guinea under former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
"This is being refreshed this week," a statement from Marape's office said.
This is Marape's first official visit to New Zealand following his re-election as prime minister in the last national elections in 2022.
According to the PNG government, the visit signals a growing relationship between the two countries, especially in trade and investment, cultural exchange, and the newly-added Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme that New Zealand has extended to Papua New Guineans to work in Aotearoa.
"This visit reflects our two nations' shared domestic priorities on economic growth, attracting foreign direct investment, strengthening engagement in the Indo-pacific, and improving the efficiency of the countries respective public services," Marape said.
