New Zealand Foreign Minister

Mahuta is scheduled to meet with senior government figures, including the President Nikenike Vurobaravu, Acting Prime Minister Sato Kilman, and Foreign Minister Jotham Napat.

Her visit comes almost a month after severe tropical cyclones Judy and Kevin made landfall on the country in quick succession and caused widespread damages to the country.

Earlier this month, Vanuatu's Prime Minister Ishamel Kalsakau told RNZ Pacific that the initial costs of recovery following the aftermath of the double disaster would cost almost $US50 million.

Giving New Zealand's statement at the summit for the new sustainable development goals set by the United Nations, McCully said they were particularly important for the Pacific region and New Zealand would play its part in trying to ensure those goals were met.

The goals will cover all countries rather than just the developing countries, and McCully said he welcomed goals in areas such as ocean fisheries, which were important for the economy of many Pacific islands. He called for a step up in surveillance for illegal fishing.