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Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and the European Commissioner for Development Mr Andris Piebalgs depart tomorrow on a renewable energy mission to four Pacific states.

“New Zealand and the European Union work together closely in the Pacific and a focus for this cooperation is support for renewable energy,” says Mr McCully.

“Last year we co-hosted the Pacific Energy Summit and launched the European Union – New Zealand Energy Access Partnership to fund renewable energy projects in the Pacific.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced diplomat Marion Crawshaw as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Solomon Islands.

“New Zealand’s close relationship with Solomon Islands has been demonstrated by our response to the recent floods,” Mr McCully says.

“There is still an enormous amount to do in terms of supporting people in evacuation centres and restoring critical infrastructure – our new High Commissioner’s priority will be leading New Zealand’s continued efforts in these areas.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced New Zealand will send health personnel and a Bailey bridge to Solomon Islands to assist with the response to flooding.

“The main hospital in Honiara is stretched after the recent flooding and there is a very serious risk of waterborne disease spreading around the capital,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced that New Zealand will provide $1.5 million towards a project aimed at re-establishing and strengthening Fiji’s parliament.

“New Zealand is strongly supportive of Fiji’s moves to hold free and fair elections in September,” Mr McCully says.

“We also recognise that some of the institutions needed to underpin the return to democratic rule will require support during the transition and there is not much point holding elections if Parliament is unable to function effectively.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman have announced a second New Zealand Defence Force C-130 flight will be made to the Solomon Islands.

“Assessments on the ground have reinforced the need for a further C-130 flight to transport additional supplies to help support the relief effort after the severe flooding on Guadalcanal,” Mr McCully says.

“The C-130 will carry additional relief supplies and technical experts to assist with relief and recovery work being carried out by the Solomon Islands Government.”

Foreign Minister Murray McCully is in Fiji to meet with Fiji’s Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.

This is the first visit to Fiji by a New Zealand Minister since the lifting of New Zealand’s remaining travel sanctions against Fiji. 

“Fiji is making good strides towards holding elections later this year and this has resulted in a positive shift in New Zealand’s relationship with Fiji,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today announced New Zealand will provide a further $1.2 million to help Solomon Islands following severe flooding.

“The additional funding will be used to provide relief supplies, and help restore health, water and sanitation systems. It is now clear that these are areas of critical need,” Mr McCully says.

“Funding will also be available to New Zealand non-government organisations to support on-going relief and early recovery efforts in Solomon Islands.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced that New Zealand will contribute up to $7 million towards the upgrade of Gordon’s Market in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.  

“Gordon’s Market is the largest produce market in the Pacific and it is a vital part of the fresh produce supply chain in PNG,” Mr McCully says.

“Currently the market has a number of issues around a lack of facilities, poor drainage, unreliable water supply, and security which are limiting returns to stall holders and producers. 

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has announced further support for the response to severe flooding in Solomon Islands.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Solomon Islands as they come to terms with the loss of life and damage caused by the flooding,” Mr McCully says.

“There are now 21 confirmed deaths and significant numbers of displaced persons in evacuation centres across Honiara.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully travels to Papua New Guinea today for a visit focused on fostering business links and support for renewable energy projects.

“Papua New Guinea is one of the fastest growing economies in the region, and this visit will include a small New Zealand business delegation,” says Mr McCully.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced an initial contribution of  $300,000 to support the immediate response to severe flooding in Solomon Islands.

“Heavy rain has caused flash flooding in Honiara and reports are coming in of flooding in other parts of Solomon Islands,” Mr McCully said.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced that diplomat Tony Fautua will be New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea.

“Papau New Guinea and New Zealand are close partners in the Pacific,” Mr McCully said.

“New Zealand exports to PNG totalled more than $230 million in 2013, making it our largest trading partner in the Pacific.

“The rapid, transformative, economic growth occurring in PNG is creating major opportunities for New Zealand business and new commercial partnerships.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today named diplomat Stephanie Lee as New Zealand’s first dedicated Ambassador the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“The ASEAN region is a key political and security partner for New Zealand,” Mr McCully says.

“Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the ASEAN-New Zealand relationship and our decision to appoint a dedicated Ambassador to the region reflects these long standing ties.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has welcomed today’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision that Japan’s Southern Ocean whaling programme does not serve the purposes of scientific research, and must cease.

“The ICJ decision sinks a giant harpoon into the legality of Japan’s whaling programme: JARPA II,” Mr McCully says.

“New Zealand has consistently opposed Japan’s so-called ‘scientific’ whaling, which is a practice that is deeply offensive to many New Zealanders.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has announced that New Zealand will lift all its travel sanctions against Fiji.

“The progress that Fiji is making towards holding free and fair elections deserves recognition from the Pacific region and international community,” Mr McCully says.

“There are now more than 500,000 people registered to vote in the September elections, electoral commissioners have been appointed and importantly Commodore Bainimarama has stepped down as the head of the Military.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today named diplomat Grahame Morton as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to India.

Mr Morton will be based in New Delhi and cross-accredited to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.

“As members of the Commonwealth New Zealand and India have a close relationship,” Mr McCully says. 

India is our largest source of skilled migrants and our second largest market for international students.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has announced that New Zealand will impose travel sanctions on selected individuals deemed to be responsible for the crisis in Ukraine. 

“New Zealand has made it clear that Russia’s actions regarding Ukraine and Crimea are unacceptable. We have confirmed that New Zealand will not recognise the outcome of the referendum in Crimea,” Mr McCully says.

“New Zealand will join with our partners to implement travel bans against specific Russian and Ukrainian individuals involved in the crisis.

New Zealand will not recognise the result of the 16 March referendum on the status of Crimea, Foreign Minister Murray McCully says.

“This referendum has been organised hastily, under the threat of force, and without any prior efforts to consult or negotiate a settlement consistent with the Constitution of Ukraine. The current situation in the Crimea represents an unjustified threat to the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully will attend the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) in London this week before travelling to Europe and South East Asia.

Mr McCully was appointed Deputy Chair of CMAG at last year’s meeting of Commonwealth leaders.

“New Zealand is an active member of the Commonwealth and is committed to ensuring the organisation continues to play a meaningful role in international affairs,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today named diplomat Georgina Roberts as the new High Commissioner to Vanuatu.

“New Zealand and Vanuatu have close ties.  In the last year over 2800 Vanuatu workers took part in the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme in New Zealand,” Mr McCully says.

“The scheme is a great success and is having a material impact on livelihoods in Vanuatu. 

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today named diplomat Jonathan Schwass as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Timor-Leste.

“Since 1999 New Zealand has played a major role in building Timor-Leste’s peace and security.  The country has come a long way in a short time and is now moving into an era in which development, particularly sustainable economic development, is the major priority,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today named diplomat Jan Henderson as New Zealand’s first High Commissioner to Barbados.

“The High Commission in Bridgetown, co-located with the British High Commission, is New Zealand’s first diplomatic post in the Caribbean,” Mr McCully says.

“It is accredited to a number of states and is important for liaising with the two major regional bodies - the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today welcomed Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama’s decision to step down as Commander of the Fiji military.

“Separating the government and the military is an important step toward holding credible elections in Fiji later this year,” Mr McCully says.

“Today’s announcement is an important milestone on that road.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and Tonga’s Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano today agreed to reaffirm the strategic direction of the development partnership following talks late last week and early this week.

The importance of the economic and political ties between the two countries were reaffirmed in meetings, including Tonga’s initiative to put safety first in the development of its transport sector and measures to demonstrate commitments to support tourism.