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Christopher Luxon and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape held talks at the weekend and spoke to the media after the meeting.
photo: Nathan MacKinnon
Leaders from Papua New Guinea and New Zealand have discussed a new partnership which could increase the number of short-term RSE horticultural workers coming to Aotearoa.
Christopher Luxon stopped in Papua New Guinea on his way to Japan with a business delegation and met with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape.
The two discussed regional issues, a new cooperation agreement between the two countries expected to be signed before September, and the expansion of the Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers scheme.
The RSE scheme allows workers from participating Pacific countries to take up short-term positions in New Zealand’s horticulture industry.
Luxon said workers from Papua New Guinea were well respected here.
“We personally believe that we need to double the number of RSE workers in New Zealand from 19,000 to about 38,000 over a period of time…”
“That way, the countries where these workers are based can actually absorb the funds, while also ensuring that we have proper accommodation and that all the investment is spent on the horticultural farms.
“We will be looking at that in our partnership statement to help Papua New Guinea … so that when those workers go to New Zealand they learn a skill set that they can not only upskill in New Zealand but can eventually bring back to Papua New Guinea.”
Marape said he hoped workers would be able to gain qualifications in New Zealand.
Luxon said New Zealand and Papua New Guinea both wanted to increase exports and should cooperate more to that end.
Mr Marape said New Zealand’s offer of assistance following a massive landslide in Papua New Guinea’s Enga province was warmly welcomed.
Landslide End of May Thousands are believed to have died and around 10,000 people were affected.
Luxon said the New Zealand Defence Force had been deployed to distribute supplies in remote areas and funds were being raised through non-governmental organisations.
“We are willing to help in any way we can. Initially we wanted to use some of our defence assets to deliver supplies to the area… We did talk about geotechnical expertise that we could provide.”
“This is a quite tragic series of events – occurring in a very remote part of the country with difficult access, and we stand ready to help.”
photo: Nathan MacKinnon
photo: Nathan MacKinnon
Marape said Luxon’s visit was warmly welcomed.
“New Zealand has an important place on our planet.
“They have been intervening in Papua New Guinea’s affairs in a high-quality way over the past 49 years of our independence;
“In the future, we will not take each other for granted, but build on the past … to create a common future that benefits both countries.”
Luxon also stressed the importance of New Zealand’s relationship with Papua New Guinea.
“Papua New Guinea is a very important partnership for us, a very meaningful relationship,” he said.
“We want to keep moving forward … deepening our partnership, and that’s why we’re hopeful … we’ll be able to sign a strengthened partnership declaration, a new declaration of how our two countries can work together.”
The two countries plan to hold further discussions at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Tonga from August 26 to 30.
Luxembourg has also been invited to Papua New Guinea to attend the country’s 50th anniversary of independence in September 2025.
Luxon’s trip to Japan
The Ministry of Defense plane carrying the prime minister to Tokyo was delayed by at least an hour due to problems with the aircraft.
The Boeing 757 was parked on the tarmac in Port Moresby and was due to make a brief stop to refuel on its way to Japan.
In JapanLuxon will meet with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. More than 30 companies are represented on the visit, including Air New Zealand, ANZ Bank, Fonterra, Silver Fern Farms, Zespri and Rocket Lab.
“I know Japan well as a country, I’ve been there many times and I know the economic opportunities there,” he told RNZ before leaving.
“I’m excited for the companies, they want to showcase themselves and I’m excited for New Zealand to showcase itself economically.”
Luxon recently completed His first trip around the Pacific Serve as Prime Minister.
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