Vanuatu PM meets with NIWA in Wellington

Vanuatu's prime minister Charlot Salwai has arrived in Wellington on the second day of his four day state visit.

RNZ reports this morning he went to the headquarters of New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research or NIWA.

NIWA's general manager Rob Murdoch gave Mr Salwai and seven other Vanuatu delegates a briefing on his organisation's activities.

With regular expeditions ranging from the Antarctic up to the tropics, NIWA's monitoring of marine and climate patterns is of increased interest to Pacific island countries.

Later today in the capital, Mr Salwai is to meet a range of government ministers, the leader of the opposition and other New Zealand MPs.

Back in Auckland tomorrow, the Vanuatu leader will inspect New Zealand's Border Clearance Services Directorate, Auckland University and conduct a bilateral meeting with his local counterpart John Key.

Later in the week, Mr Salwai is to meet with Vanuatu Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme (RSE) workers in Te Puke.

 

 

 

NIWA general manager Rob Murdoch welcomes Vanuatu prime minister Charlot Salwai in Wellington, New Zealand. 10-08-2016 Photo: RNZI/ Johnny Blades