New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister meets RSE workers on last engagement in Honiara

The Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs for New Zealand, Hon. Carmel Sepuloni has left the country after holding morning tea with a team of RSE workers in Honiara today.

Hon. Sepuloni along with New Zealand’s Minister for Pacific Peoples Barbara Edmonds joined local RSE workers during a Pre-Departure briefing for these workers who will be leaving soon for employment on various farms in New Zealand.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Colin Beck thanked New Zealand for the RSE scheme which is helping to provide jobs and assistance to local Solomon Islanders and their extended families.

He said Solomon Islands has a ready workforce willing to assist New Zealand now and into the future.

Some of the returning workers were able to share their experience of working in New Zealand and the effects that their employment has had on their wellbeing and that of their families.

The Solomon Islands has been using its engagement with New Zealand this week to seek the removal of the cap limit of workers sent to New Zealand through the RSE scheme and for expansion to other industries and sectors.

The New Zealand delegation left Honiara this morning as it continues its Pacific Mission to Fiji and Tonga.

—MFAET PRESS RELEASE