NZ official visit

Mr Salwai toured EastPack, a packhouse and coolstore, in Te Puke, where he also talked with Vanuatuan seasonal workers who are part of the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme.

He toured Hawaii Orchard, where he even did some pruning and spoke with more seasonal workers.

Itwas Mr Salwai's first official visit to New Zealand as Prime Minister and he was attending events in Auckland and Wellington.

He left for Vanuatu today.

RNZ reports Mr Salwai is to attend events in Auckland, Wellington and Tauranga on what is his first visit to New Zealand as prime minister.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said both countries had a warm relationship and the visit was a useful opportunity to discuss bilateral and regional issues of shared interest, such as the Pacific Islands Forum.