NEWS & EVENTS

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.

High Commissioner Lady Joy Kere served as High Commissioner to New Zealand for the past 6 years since the establishment of the High Commission of Solomon Islands to New Zealand in 2014. 

Not only is High Commissioner Kere the first Solomon Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand, but she is also the first female Solomon Islands High Commissioner.

Prior to departing Wellington, H.E. Lady Joy Kere was accorded with a farewell function by the Pacific Heads of Missions in Wellington and the Wellington Diplomatic Corps respectively.

Solomon Islands’ High Commissioner to New Zealand H.E Joy Kere accompanied by her spouse Sir. Dr. Nathan Kere made their final farewell courtesy call on the New Zealand Governor General; The Rt Hon. Dame Patsy Reddy at the New Zealand Government House before finally departing Wellington on Friday 21^st February 2020.  

The New Zealand Government through Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade thanked High Commissioner Joy Kere for the six years she had served her country in strengthening and deepening the bilateral relations between the two countries.

High Commissioner Lady Joy Kere through the Solomon Islands High Commission Office in Wellington thanked the New Zealand Government and the wonderful people of New Zealand for all the friendship and support being rendered towards her tenure as SI High Commissioner to New Zealand.

The bilateral relations between the two country keeps growing from strength to strength and the Solomon Islands Government through the High Commission office will continue to maintain representation in Wellington. 

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

The Solomon Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand, Her Excellency, Mrs Joy Kere visited the Solomons Gold –NZ Factory on Wednesday 15^th August 2018. The High Commissioner met with the General Manager, Mr Glen Yeatman and his staff and made a brief tour around the factory and was briefed on how the cacao beans are processed into chocolates.

The SOLOMONS GOLD – NZ Factory, a subsidiary of C-Corp NZ. The Solomons Gold Chocolate Manufacturing plant, is based in Tauranga, in the Bay of Plenty, Northern Island. C-Corp Limited established its cocoa business in the Balasuna area, since 2006 and also receives its bean from out growers.  Since 2016, C-CORP is integrated in the supply chain, as a cocoa producer, processor and exporter. The Cacao beans are Organically Certified. C-Corp facility is based in Honiara, which receives cocao beans from the local farmers and graded to chocolate quality and exported to the facility in Tauranga.

High Commissioner Kere thanked the General Manager and the Company for having the confidence in Solomon Islands Cocoa and in this case had invested time and resources in working with our farmers. But also adding value to the Beans for export.

She further added, “Solomons Gold Chocolate, using the Organic beans from the Solomon Islands, is a positive example, which should and be replicated in different parts of Solomon Islands.  This is so that Solomon Islands farmers can benefit from value adding to their cocoa beans:”

Solomon Islands has the capacity or there is enormous potential to export its authentic and organic cocao beans to niche Overseas Market, such as with Solomons Gold- C Corp. Over the years, Farmers have been able to sustain the supply of organic cacao beans. Organic Certification is usually carried out by the Ministry of Primary Industry

Solomons Gold Chocolate are currently selling in 54 different outlet in New Zealand . New brands are continued to be manufactured, with the goal of producing ‘ bean to bar’ chocolate which is dairy, gluten and nut free, producing pure chocolate from totally natural ingredients.

HE, Mrs Joy Kere, SI High Commissioner to NZ and staff of the Solomons Gold Chocolate Factory, Tauranga, NZ.

 

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF), Mr Craig Strong paid a courtesy call at the High Commission on Tuesday 14th August 2018 and met with Her Excellency, Mrs Joy Kere, the High Commissioner and Mr Cornelius Walegerea, the Minister Counselor. The CEO was accompanied by Mrs Linda Kaua, Programme Development Manager, PCF. Mrs Kaua is from Solomon Islands.

It was a fruitful meeting where CEO Craig outline the key strategic focus areas that the PCF will be undertaking in the next 3 -5 years under its strategic work plan. Mr Craig reiterated that as a Non -Governmental Organisation (NGO) focused on private sector and they mandated to help and support private sector growth and economic development in the Pacific.

Mr Craig also highlighted the work that PCF has done to help Pacific Island countries, for example, support internship for NZAID scholars in New Zealand and their focus is to that there is ensure quality placements for quality outcomes.

Mr Craig further reiterate it’s willingness to support and for PCF to be the Secretariat of Pacific Business Councils that Pacific Island countries have with New Zealand.

In her response, Her Excellency, the High Commissioner, Mrs Joy Kere welcome CEO Craig and Linda to the High Commission and acknowledge the work done by PCF. She call on PCF to reach out to help other Pacific Island countries like Solomon Islands. One of the ambitions that Solomon Islands want is to establish a Solomon Islands -New Zealand Business Council. This is a follow up from previous meetings that Solomon Islands have with the New Zealand Pacific Business Council, the New Zealand Pacific Business Council Trade Mission to Solomon Islands and the desire to strengthen the business relations and connections between both countries.

The High Commissioner also reiterate the importance of supporting the efforts made by Pacific Island countries in view of the implementation of the PACER Plus. Support to private sector growth is critical to fully realise the benefits that PACER Plus offers.

Mr Craig notes the call and is looking forward to working with Solomon Islands and as far as private sector is concern, working with the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industries to Solomon Islands businesses and connection with New Zealand and the region.

L-R, Mrs Linda Kaua, Programme Development Manager, PCF, HE, Mrs Joy Kere, SI High Commissioner to NZ, Mr Craig Strong, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF). Photo at SI High Commission, Wellington, NZ.

 

 

 

 

Caption: L-R, Mr Cornelius Walegerea, Minister Counsellor (SIHC), Stella Lucas (SIVB, H.E Joy Kere, High Commissioner (SIHC) and Mr Jo Tuamoto (CEO-SIVB)

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB), Mr Jo Tuamoto visited the Solomon Islands High Commission on Thursday 22nd February. He was accompanied by Stella Lucas. Both met with the Solomon Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand, Her Excellency, Mrs Joy Kere and the Minister Counsellor, Mr Cornelius Walegerea.

Her Excellency, High Commissioner Kere welcome the CEO of SIVB and his staff and thanked them for availing their time to visit the High Commission after their programme in Auckland.

During the meeting, Her Excellency, provided a brief on the work of the High Commission on behalf of the Solomon Islands government in New Zealand and also the assistance provided by New Zealand to Solomon Islands under its bilateral aid programme. She stressed that New Zealand has contributed a lot in Solomon Islands and we do acknowledge their assistance. She echoed the assistance that New Zealand has provided in the Aviation Sector as one of the projects that has direct benefit in supporting tourism in the country and one that SIVB relates well with. High Commissioner Kere further adds, although the support by the New Zealand government for the Munda International Airport comes under the National led government, it is pleasing to note that there is no change by the new Labour led government in New Zealand. This is good news for Solomon Islands and the High Commission continue to work closely with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to follow up on the project.

Mr Jo acknowledge the High Commissioner for the warm welcome and provided a brief on the work that SIVB does in terms of its marketing and promotion strategies. While Solomon Islands faces huge challenge with other Pacific Island countries such as Fiji, Vanuatu and others as far as tourist destination is concern, Mr Jo stressed that for Solomon Islands, the strength is “we do have the niche market”. Other countries might have already exhausted all that they have and offer because they face the huge challenge in meeting the high demand. This prompted these countries to resort to cheap products which are not authentic.  However, in Solomon Islands, “the culture is still there, the products that we offer remain authentic and not artificial…we are working on other areas such as wedding occasions and to make weddings in the Solomon’s with a difference”, Mr Jo stated. 

It was a very productive meeting and the High Commissioner thanked the CEO for visiting the High Commission and inform that the High Commission continue to promote Solomon Islands in various events and activities in New Zealand. She also thanked CEO Jo for the SIVB brochures as this will certainly assist in promoting Solomon Islands as a tourist destination in New Zealand.

 

 

 

 

The Solomon Islands High Commissioner to New Zealand, Her Excellency, Mrs Joy Kere acknowledge the Solomon Islands community in Wellington for their participation at the Annual Pasifika Festival organised by the Wellington City Council on Saturday 20th January 2018.

The Solomon Islands community joined other Pasifika communities in Wellington and put on an  incredible performance. The community sung two famous Solomon Islands folksongs, “wakabaoti lo China town” and “no matai u lafu lo mi” which drew other members of the public who knew the songs to singalong. The community also perform two cultural items. During the performance, it was pleasing to see young members (children) in the community took part.

Apart from the performance, the Solomon Islands community display cultural artifacts of Solomon Islands and brochures about the country. Visitors who flocked into the Solomon Islands community stall were impressed with the displays as it  promotes Solomon Islands.

High Commissioner Kere was pleased with the support shown by the Solomon Islands community in Wellington for their active participation and engagement in the event. “Such event promotes Solomon Islands in New Zealand and shows that Solomon Islands is also a member of the Pasifika community like any other Pacific Island countries and its people in New Zealand” said High Commissioner Kere. The event provides an opportunity for Solomon Islands to share and show with others it’s identity, tradition and culture through songs and dance.

The High Commissioner encourage the Solomon Islands community in Wellington as well as other Solomon Islands communities in other parts of New Zealand to continue to work together to promote Solomon Islands identity, culture and tradition through such events and to make Solomon Islands presence known and felt among other Pasifika communities and ethnic groups in New Zealand.

SI Community in Wellington performing on stage during the Pasifika Festival in Wellington, Saturday 20 January 2018. Photo: Courtesy of Glo Oxenham.