Samoa's prime minister has welcomed signs in PACER Plus negotiations that there could be more jobs for Pacific Islanders in construction and fisheries in New Zealand.
Speaking at a Pip Fruit Industry conference in Wellington last week Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi extended his gratitude for the continued commitment to the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme.
Tuilaepa says Samoa has always wanted an expansion of the scheme to other sectors to fill labour gaps in large scale government projects such as the Christchurch rebuild.
"We view it as leaders of the labour supply countries as a great, one of the great assistance that the government of New Zealand provides for the economic development of our small economies."
Photo: RNZI / Monica Miller
Listen to full interview with Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegoai on Dateline Pacific