NZ Reaffirms 10-Year Support for Solomon Islands During PM Manele’s Visit

New Zealand has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to the Solomon Islands, pledging continued support over the next decade in key sectors such as education and fisheries, during an official visit by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters welcomed Prime Minister Manele in Wellington, where the leaders held bilateral talks that focused on deepening cooperation, regional development, and shared priorities ahead of the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum, which the Solomon Islands will host next month.

“Prime Minister Manele’s visit this week reinforces the deep ties between our two nations stretching back over 150 years,” said Mr Luxon. “We discussed our joint work to grow the Solomon Islands economy, and I was pleased to confirm our long-term support in critical areas like education and fisheries.”

Long-Term Partnership for Development

During the meeting, Luxon announced that New Zealand will extend its assistance to the Solomon Islands for another 10 years, building on past successes and strengthening bilateral collaboration.

This commitment will enhance support for:

• Education: Improving access to quality learning opportunities, investing in teacher training, and upgrading school infrastructure.

• Fisheries: Enhancing sustainable fishing practices, supporting fisheries management, and expanding economic opportunities in coastal communities.

“Our long-standing partnership demonstrates New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to Solomon Islands and its people,” Luxon said. “This is about enabling sustainable development that supports local communities and strengthens the Pacific region.”

Foreign Policy Focus on the Pacific

Foreign Minister Winston Peters echoed Luxon’s remarks, emphasizing that New Zealand’s engagement in the Pacific is guided by its values of partnership, respect, and shared prosperity.

“As we work with our Pacific partners to build a peaceful and prosperous region, New Zealand’s assistance plays a big part in supporting the development of countries like Solomon Islands,” Peters said.

Peters noted that New Zealand's ongoing support is based on mutual benefit, helping Solomon Islands achieve long-term development goals while reinforcing New Zealand’s role as a reliable partner in the Pacific.

Regional Leadership and the Pacific Islands Forum

The timing of the visit also carried regional significance, as Prime Minister Manele prepares to host the 2025 Pacific Islands Forum, a key regional summit that brings together leaders to address shared challenges such as climate change, regional security, economic resilience, and inter-island connectivity.

The leaders discussed strategic alignment on regional priorities and the importance of Pacific-led solutions to the region’s most pressing issues.

New Zealand reaffirmed its commitment to regional solidarity and expressed support for Solomon Islands' leadership role in guiding the forum’s agenda.

Business and Community Engagement

In addition to high-level political meetings, Prime Minister Manele and his delegation participated in a series of business and community engagements in both Auckland and Wellington. These included:

• Dialogues with Pacific community leaders

• Meetings with New Zealand-based businesses active in the Pacific region

• Cultural and educational visits that highlighted people-to-people connections

These engagements reinforced the deep social and economic links between the two countries, including the role of the Solomon Islands diaspora in New Zealand.

Looking Ahead

Prime Minister Manele is scheduled to depart New Zealand tomorrow, concluding a visit that both countries hailed as a success in reinforcing mutual cooperation.

The visit comes at a time of renewed focus on geostrategic dynamics in the Pacific, with global powers increasing their engagement. New Zealand continues to advocate for Pacific-led development that is grounded in local priorities, transparency, and long-term sustainability.

“This visit reaffirms our enduring friendship and shared vision for a strong and united Pacific,” said Prime Minister Luxon. “We look forward to working even more closely with Solomon Islands in the years ahead.”