PRIME MINISTER MANELE MEETS SOLOMON ISLANDS DIASPORA IN AUCKLAND
Wednesday 30 July 2025, Auckland, New Zealand – Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele has met with Solomon Islanders living in and around Auckland as part of his official visit to New Zealand.
The event, hosted by the Solomon Islands Auckland Wantoks Association at Mt. Eden War Memorial Hall, brought together around 150 Solomon Islanders, including students and workers under the Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme.
This is the Prime Minister’s second engagement with the community, following his meeting with them as Foreign Minister in 2022.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Manele updated the community on positive developments in Solomon Islands–New Zealand relations and acknowledged New Zealand’s support in areas including education, fisheries, climate change, labour mobility, governance, security, and youth development.
PM Manele responding to questions from members of the community.
“New Zealand continues to be a trusted partner to Solomon Islands. We value the support given in key areas of development that directly benefit our people,” Prime Minister Manele said.
He congratulated the community on celebrating the first Pijin Language Week in 2024 and encouraged Solomon Islanders to maintain their language and culture while living overseas.
The Prime Minister also thanked Solomon Islanders working in New Zealand’s horticulture and viticulture industries for their hard work and contribution to both countries.
“I wish to thank you all for hosting me this evening. It is inspiring to see that despite the distance – and for many, the years – the Solomon Islands community is thriving here in Auckland and across New Zealand. I wish to remind you all to be respectful to your host country, and to honour the Tangata Whenua. Finally, thank you for being important representatives of our country here in Aotearoa New Zealand,” the Prime Minister said.
The event included cultural performances, a dinner reception, and an open dialogue session where community members raised questions on various national issues, including the Bina Harbour Project, Solomon Islands–China relations, cyber security, health services, labour mobility, land reform, and support for Members of Parliament.
PM Manele at the formal program hosted by Solomon Islands community in Auckland.
On the Bina Harbour Project, Prime Minister Manele reaffirmed it as a priority, noting the creation of 1,600 jobs when completed.
“The government has committed $30 million in the supplementary budget while partners including New Zealand are supporting the business case review,” he said.
On cyber security, he said a national cyber security bill is currently being developed, while on health services, he undertook to raise concerns about the National Referral Hospital with the Minister for Health as the government works to equip new medical facilities.
The Prime Minister concluded by urging Solomon Islanders to work together for the country’s development.
“We are one of three Pacific countries on track to graduate from Least Developed Country status in 2027. This is our shared responsibility. Development is not only the work of government but of every Solomon Islander,” he said.
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– OPMC PRESS SECRETARIAT