Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister says his country wants more business and cultural connections with New Zealand, especially Maori.
Papua New Guinea's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Rimbink Pato Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Rimbink Pato yesterday had talks with his New Zealand counterpart Winston Peters in Wellington, where they also delivered a joint address on New Zealand's co-called 'Pacific Reset'.
In the address, organised by the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, both Mr Pato and Mr Peters endorsed increased engagement between the two countries.
In recent months New Zealand has played a growing role in preparations for PNG hosting the APEC leaders summit in November, in the areas of security, police training and protocol.
But Mr Pato said there was significant scope for building on connectivity in trade, culture and sports among other areas.
According to him, New Zealand is important to PNG and its focus on small to medium business enterprises.
"The experience of New Zealand, in particular indigenous enterprises, is very critical," Mr Pato said.
"And also we are looking to see how PNG and New Zealand can work together to address issues of regulatory reform and quarantine requirements so that some of our organic products can be brought and marketed here in New Zealand."
Mr Pato also expressed deep gratitude for the logistical and funding support extended by New Zealand in the past month since a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck his country's Highlands region.
For almost four weeks, New Zealand airforce assets have been in operation in PNG, alongside Australia, in the ongoing relief response in the remote quake-affected.
While the extent of the damage is still being assessed, Mr Pato said the death toll was in the order of 150, and that between 500,000 to 700,000 people had been affected.
He said New Zealand's prompt help in a time of great need showed what a true friend it was to Papua New Guinea.