NZ visit

“New Zealand and Vanuatu have a long history of close friendship. I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Salwai here and discussing further opportunities to strengthen the relationship between our countries,” Jacinda Ardern said.

The relationship between the two countries is underpinned by the successful Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, tourism links and shared regional interests.

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.