Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced nearly $27 million for various projects in Fiji and lifted the requirement for transit visas for Fijians entering New Zealand.
This announcement came after a meeting in Fiji between Luxon and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, marking Luxon’s first visit to the Pacific as Prime Minister.
The two leaders also aimed to increase the annual trade between their countries from $1.4 billion to $2 billion by 2030.
The funding, part of New Zealand’s International Development Cooperation programme, includes:
- $3.6 million to Fiji’s Climate Relocation of Communities Trust Fund
- $572,000 to upgrade the High Temperature Forced Air (HTFA) Facility at Nadi International Airport, in collaboration with Australia, to help Fijian horticultural exporters meet New Zealand’s biosecurity standards
- $15.3 million for a New Zealand Plant and Food Research-led programme to help farmers in five Pacific countries, including Fiji, adapt to climate change
- $7.5 million for Fiji’s economic reform programme to enhance fiscal management, sustainability, and economic resilience
Luxon and Rabuka also issued a joint statement highlighting the strong historical, cultural, and personal connections between their countries and pledged to renew their Duavata Partnership next year.
Luxon stated that the removal of the transit visa requirement for Fijians demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to Fiji. Fijians can now transit New Zealand with a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), similar to other Pacific nations, which is expected to benefit the regional economy.
Luxon arrived in Fiji from Niue and presented Rabuka with a harmonica, which was well-received as Rabuka played a few notes. Luxon mentioned he had heard Rabuka was skilled with the instrument and hoped he would enjoy it.
Rabuka gifted Luxon a Fijian Drua Super Rugby team shirt, a humorous nod to the recent Super Rugby season where the Drua’s win prevented Luxon’s favored Crusaders from reaching the playoffs. Despite his initial disappointment, Luxon accepted the gift graciously, joking that it might have avoided a “diplomatic incident.”
