Winston Peters

Mr Peters was due to travel to Samoa, Tonga, Niue and the Cook Islands later this month.

With a delegation of MPs, government officials, community leaders and journalists, the minister was to leave New Zealand on 22 March for the week long mission.

But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said "regretfully" it had deferred the mission.

It said the decision was made "in light of the pressure that the preparation and response to the coronavirus was placing on Pacific governments".

Air New Zealand pulled flights out of Port Vila in January 2016 citing concerns over the state of the runway.

However there have been various repairs since then and airlines such as Virgin Australia have resumed services.

During a visit to Port Vila Mr Peters said he was aware of the important part tourism played in the local economy.

The minister said the visiting delegation is returning home fully apprised of the situation and they will be making their thoughts well known to Air New Zealand.

Mr Peters is expected to meet with President Moses Tallis, Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu and Minister of Internal Affairs Andrew Napuat.

Mr Peters said it was his first visit to Melanesia since announcing the 'Pacific Reset', New Zealand's foreign aid hike and refocus in the region.

Just under 4500 ni-Vanuatu are involved in New Zealand's horticulture and viticulture industries.

The New Zealand delegation will leave Vanuatu on Saturday.