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On the morning of the 21^st September 2020 the Consulate General of Solomon Islands in Brisbane opened its doors as the country’s first diplomatic mission to offer passport renewal services to Solomon Islanders outside of the country.

Consul General, Mr Kereta Sanga, indicated that the passport renewal services is a culmination of a joint effort between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade and Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Labour, and Immigration, to establish passport renewal services at the Brisbane Office. 

Mr Sanga said that on the 2^nd July 2020 the Cabinet endorsed an initiative to send Immigration officials to the Consulate to set up passport renewal services. This was in recognition of a long-standing passports issue to support Solomon Islands citizens living abroad. This initiative proved timely given the outbreak of COVID 19 earlier this year affecting international travel.

Presently, two Immigration officials, Mr Johnson Oge and Mr Richard Manuroho, are assisting the Consulate with the renewals process and encourage Solomon Islands nationals to renew expiring passports. Mr Oge encourages nationals that even with 2 years remaining on your passport you should make use of this opportunity to renew your passport by calling Consulate (+61) 07 3854 1697 to make an appointment.

The Solomon Islands High Commission to New Zealand was invited by the Solomon Islands Society of Waikato Association (SISWA) to attend the 42^nd Independence Anniversary celebration in Hamilton on Saturday 14^th July 2020.

Mr. John Mark Kemakeza, Second Secretary of the High Commission attended the eventful celebrations along with a student Representative from Wellington Victoria University, Mr. Daniel Aotorea and a senior Solomon Islands Citizen living in Wellington Mr. Jamie Molea.

President of SISWA, Mrs. Leonora Houma on behalf of the Solomon Islanders living in Waikato thanked the High Commission for attending and supporting the celebrations in Hamilton.

In her remarks during the celebration, Mrs. Houma echoed the importance of working closely with the High Commission and the Waikato community was really delighted to have a representative from the SIHC in Wellington visiting and celebrating the SI 42^nd National Day with them and described it as “very special” to the SI Waikato Community.

Mr. Kemakeza In his reply speech stated that the 42^nd National Day celebrations in Hamilton marks the first of the many more collaborations to come, as the Solomon Islands High Commission aims to strengthen contacts with NZ Solomon Islands Communities – or the Diaspora who are the Solomon Islands “Informal Ambassadors”.

Around 100 SI Nationals which include, students, families, friends and wantoks living in Hamilton, Auckland and Tauranga attended the celebrations. Some of our RSE workers in Tauranga also attended and performed the well-known “Taga-Ai” custom dance as part of the entertainment program.

The Celebrations ended with various custom dance performances by the SI Waikato University Students, Youths, families, and community living in Hamilton. The Highlight of the entertainment performances was the all-time famous “Gongala Dance” which involved each and every one who attended to dance away and enjoy the celebrations in the Solomon Islands way.

The Solomon Islands High Commission (SIHC) to New Zealand in Collaboration with MBIE made a pastoral/field visit to the SI RSE Workers (and their respective employers) in the Southern Island region from Friday 5^th June – 9^th June 2020. The Visit was made possible through funding from MBIE who funded for travel and accommodation for the visit. The Visit was basically to meet and discuss with SI RSE workers and employers and hear out any issues of concern that may arise especially in those very uncertain times during the eight weeks of total lockdown due to the covid-19 global pandemic. The visit covered SI RSE workers and employers of Hortus, Vine Power, Ace Viticulture, Focus Central, R&C Conning, Seifried Ltd, Motueka and Takaka

The visiting team which comprises of Mr. John Mark Kemakeza from SI High Commission, Mrs. Oiko from NZ Immigration and Mr. Lafaele from MBIE had an audience on separate occasions with almost around 150 of the SI RSE Workers in the Southern Region. The visiting team took the opportunity to encourage the workers to take good care of themselves, stay safe, practice a healthy working environment, and make the most of the opportunity of still having Jobs with their respective employers.

Workers in the Southern region in general are fine as there are still jobs for them up until August and September. The High Commission also informed the workers on the current situation with the State of Public Emergency in Honiara. The High Commission provided contact information with the group leaders and should any issues of concern be raised by the workers they will keep in contact with the High Commission office in Wellington. Ms. Oiko and Mr. Laefaele also provided information on some questions regarding Visa and Immigration

Some of the issues raised by the workers were brought forward to their employers and were addressed directly. Some issues and concerns were also raised by Mission to LMU/HQ on a more detailed report submitted to LMU/HQ for further considerations

The Field Visit was a real success and the High Commission looks forward to more visits and collaborations with MBIE especially with the focus on trying to increase Solomon Islands  Participation in the RSE Scheme under this Toso Vaka Omanu Program

Late Mrs. Eva Wagapu’s funeral service was held on Saturday 27^th June 2020, at a privately owned Wesley United Church in Waitara, Taranaki, New Zealand at 11am followed by the cremation ceremony at the crematorium.

The Funeral service was officiated by Rev. Manoa Havea who is also a Solomon Islands Wesley United Church Minister living in Taranaki.

Mr. John Kemakeza, second secretary of the Solomon Islands High Commission to New Zealand attended the funeral service and took the opportunity to pay tribute to Late Mrs. Eva Wagapu for her services and contributions to the people and the Government of Solomon Islands. 

Mr. Kemakeza, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary Ambassador Collin Beck of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade and his Staff conveyed their deepest heartfelt condolences to Late Eva Wagapu’s daughter; Mrs. Noelyn Wagapu in New Zealand and the extended Wagapu Family in Honiara.

Late Eva Wagapu’s life was reflected as a very dedicated public servant who served her country and the people of Solomon Islands with great humility.

Late Eva devoted her life to the development of women in the Solomon Islands and touched many families for over 40 years.  Since 1st of June 1977 to her retirement from the Solomon Islands Government on the 15th November 2019.

Her enormous contributions to the development of women and Human Rights advocacy in the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs in the Solomon Islands Government will always be honoured.

Her humour, kindness and selflessness will continue to inspire those who were lucky enough to have crossed paths with her. Eva’s beautiful Soul will be gone but never to be forgotten as her famously published poems; “Forgiveness” and “A Loser” lingers on in the literature arena.

A good turnout of Solomon Island wantoks and families living in Hamilton, Auckland, Tauranga, and Taranaki attended the funeral service.

Late Eva Wagapu’s body was cremated at the crematorium after the funeral service. Rev. Manoa and his wife Nessi Havea hosted a dinner for all at their privately owned Church compound in Taranaki.

The High Commission to New Zealand used the opportunity to thank all our Nationals who made the effort to attend and encourage them all to reflect on late Eva Wagapu’s life and be proud Ambassadors of our beloved nation Solomon Islands, and in doing so, urged everyone to continue to share the spirit of unity and togetherness as Solomon Islanders in a foreign land.

May Late Eva Wagapu’s Soul rest in love with our Heavenly Father.

The Solomon Islands High Commission in Wellington, New Zealand Commemorated Solomon Islands 41^st Independence Anniversary in Wellington on 16^th July 2019. The occasion was graced by a good turnout of representatives from the diplomatic corps and Officials from the New Zealand Government who attended the event.

The Solomon Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand, Her Excellency Lady Joy Kere, used the occasion to acknowledge the cordial relationship Solomon Islands Government and the New Zealand Government have enjoyed for the past decades, even well before Solomon Islands gained Independence in 1978. 

In highlighting the theme of the event, “Strengthening Solomon Islands – New Zealand Bilateral Relations”, Her Excellency underscores the importance of the recent New Zealand Signature Policy on Pacific Reset which underpins its Development partnership.

Her Excellency took the opportunity to thank the government of New Zealand for the assistance provided to Solomon Islands in the areas of fisheries management, education, economic governance, law and justice and economic growth through infrastructure such as support to the aviation sector which enabled the official Inauguration of the alternate Solomon Islands International Airport in Munda.

The Solomon Islands High Commissioner also highlighted the recent New Zealand Pacific Mission to the Solomon Islands, led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, HON Winston Peters, as a successful manifestation of such partnership.

High Commissioner Lady Joy Kere, thanked the New Zealand Government for the reenergised partnership through signing of the “Statement of Partnership” which will guide and deepen our partnership; understanding, friendship, mutual benefit, collective impact, and sustainability.    

The Solomon Islands High Commissioner also stressed that, one of the success stories of the Solomon Islands-New Zealand relations is the labour mobility. Whilst acknowledging the New Zealand government for the opportunity for Solomon Islands workers to engage in the Viti and Horti culture industry. Her Excellency reemphasized the need for a broadened approach in the future that can encompass other industries and embrace semi and skilled workers which remains a future potential that SI looks forward to.

Deputy Secretary of the Pacific Development Group, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Jonathan Kings was the chief guest. Mr Kings thanked the Solomon Islands Government through the Solomon Islands High Commission for the continued cordial relations that both Governments embrace and reaffirms New Zealand continuous support and assistance to the Solomon Islands. 

The entertaining highlight of the event was the cultural performances from the Solomon Islands Students Studying in Victoria University and Auckland University who put on a brilliant show which captured the attention of all the VIP Guests and the almost a hundred Guests who attended.   

In thanking the Students, Her Excellency took a moment to also commend Solomon Islanders living in New Zealand for the superb support they continue to render towards the Solomon Islands High Commission Office in Wellington. The Commemoration of the 41^st Independence anniversary celebration was held at the Wellington Club, Wellington, New Zealand