New Zealand's Civil Defence Minister, Nikki Kaye, is travelling to Samoa for a three-day visit, focused on affirming the strong ties between the two countries around disaster risk management.
Ms Kaye said the ever present risk of natural hazards is something that both New Zealand and Samoa understand very well and the risk is part and parcel of living in the Pacific.
Nikki Kaye Photo: RNZ / Tom Furley
She said New Zealand and Samoa have a long and close relationship, and sharing expertise and experience on managing hazards and responding to disasters plays a central part in the relationship.
The minister is scheduled to meet the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and other senior government ministers and officials.
Ms Kaye said the meetings will include a roundtable on disaster preparedness.
Topics discussed will include lessons learned from previous disasters in Samoa, and New Zealand's contribution towards strengthening Samoa's risk management capabilities.
The minister will also visit key disaster risk management facilities and initiatives, including the National Disaster Management Office operations centre, the meteorological monitoring station at Mulinuu and the emergency siren network on the south coast of Upolu.