Groups of MPs often travel overseas representing New Zealand's Parliament but is it work or a holiday in disguise?
This series follows what the group did each day and asks why they do it at all.
Delegation members: National MPs Jo Hayes, Tim MacIndoe, Harete Hipango, Labour MP Adrian Rurawhe, and Speaker Trevor Mallard
Day one - Monday in Tonga
Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
Find day one here. Youth MPs diss a workshop as too formal, Tonga Parliament's Speaker points out equipment bought with New Zealand's help, and New Zealand's High Commissioner to Tonga puts out a good spread of snacks.
Day two - Tuesday in Tonga
Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
Find day two here. There's a power breakfast with Tongan women leaders, a tour of Tonga's cyclone damaged Parliament, lunch by the lagoon, a bit of netball and a highschool brass band that puts professionals to shame.
Day three - Wednesday in Fiji
Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
Day three can be found here. Women are at the forefront today with a visit to the Minsiter for Women, Children, and Poverty Alleviation, and the Fiji Women's Crisis centre which supports victims of violence. The Prime Minister of Fiji, Frank Bainimarama makes an appearance and I almost spend $6.50 on a can of Sprite.
Day four - Thursday in Fiji
Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
The fourth day coverage can be found here. This day was packed starting with a three hour talanoa (workshop) with Fiji MPs, a lunch with women Fiji MPs to talk issues like rubbish dumping in the streets and marine health, then a meeting with the Fiji elections supervisor, a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness, and a meeting with the leaders of Fiji's two opposition parties.
Day five - Friday in Fiji
Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
The final day in Fiji can be found here. It's a visit to the housing project Koroipita which New Zealand has supported for over a decade. The houses can be built in eight days and are seen as a model for sustainable, healthy, cyclone-proof homes.
Of the Pacific - Why MPs visit the Pacific
Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
Junket or work? Hear the leader of the delegation, New Zealand Speaker Trevor Mallard; High Commissioner to Tonga Tifany Babington, and High Commissioner to Fiji Jonathan Curr discuss why these trips are important and useful for New Zealand.
Full story here.
