Minister McCully Visits Tokelau Office

Minister McCully Visits Tokelau Office

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully visited the Tokelau Office in Apia while in Samoa to meet Prime Minister Tuilaepa, ahead of this year’s Pacific Islands Forum in the Marshall Islands.

Minister McCully visited the Tokelau Operations compound at Savalalo before taking some time to see the PB Matua. The PB Matua runs fortnightly services to Tokelau from Apia. The Minister ended his visit by meeting staff at the Tokelau Offices situated in the SNPF Plaza.

“The visit is a valuable opportunity for the Minister to see first-hand the New Zealand funded ship and the Tokelau operations in Samoa. New Zealand provides a substantial amount to Tokelau’s annual budget and development support so it is important that the Minister gets a feel of how New Zealand’s commitment to Tokelau is bringing positive results to its people,” says Joe Suveinakama, the General Manager of the Tokelau Office in Apia.

Tokelau’s Minister of Education, Faafetai Taumanu welcomed Minister McCully at the Tokelau Office and encouraged him in regard to the Government of New Zealand’s commitment for a new vessel to support the people of Tokelau.

“Minister McCully conveyed to Minister Taumanu the importance of prioritizing the completion of the new schools and hospital to support the children of Tokelau and its communities. He was also keen to see how national issues such as water and fisheries can be addressed at regional level and beyond,” says Suveinakama.

Next year Samoa will host the third Small Island Developing States (SIDS) conference, with over 3000 delegates from around the world.

ENDS

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