Three members of New Zealand's police force are be deployed to Vanuatu in September to help with community policing there.
Photo: 123RF
A team is already in Vanuatu undertaking a planning mission for the 'capacity development programme'.
New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters was in Port Vila last week and said the deployment was all about security cooperation.
"Over the last year the relationship between New Zealand and Vanuatu has broadened to encompass increased security cooperation.
"We discussed a New Zealand police programme which will see three officers coming to Vanuatu later this year to work with the Vanuatu Police Force on community policing and what we are interested in knowing is what else can we do to assist in that respect."
Winston Peters said 2020 will be a big year for Vanuatu, when they will celebrate 40 years of independence and host the Pacific Islands Forum.
Winston Peters in Vanuatu Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koro Vakauta