05/08/2026
Hae Commissioner Peter Kemp hemi kat janis ia blong mitim niufala Minister blong Trade, Minister Robson Iavro.
Visit ia hem i makem fas ofisel miting bitwin His Excellency mo niufala Minister we oli jes apointem. Hem i givim wan gudfala janis blong tufala saed blong lukbak long strong program blong wok tugeta we i stap finis bitwin Gavman blong Niu Silan mo Ministri blong Treid mo Komes, mo blong toktok long hao blong mekem patnasip ia i gohed mo i kam moa strong long ol yia we i stap kam.
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The Minister of Trade and Commerce, Honourable Robson Iavro, today received a courtesy call from His Excellency Mr Peter Kemp, New Zealand High Commissioner to Vanuatu, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Port Vila.
The visit was the first formal engagement between His Excellency and the newly appointed Minister, and provided an opportunity for both parties to take stock of the substantial programme of cooperation currently in place between the Government of New Zealand and the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, and to discuss the direction of that partnership going forward.
His Excellency Mr Kemp reaffirmed New Zealand’s continued commitment to the Ministry and to its implementing agencies. Over the 2024 to 2026 period, New Zealand has provided direct support to three agencies under the Ministry. The Department of Tourism has received support under the Vanuatu Tourism Resilience and Recovery Programme (VTRRP). The Vanuatu Tourism Office has received support under the Vanuatu Tourism Marketing Recovery Program (VTMRP). The Department of Industry has received support for the development of Vanuatu’s creative industries. Taken together, this assistance has been critical to the sector’s recovery and to sustaining livelihoods across the tourism, handicraft and creative value chains.
Discussions also covered the scope for new areas of cooperation, alongside a number of wider matters bearing on Vanuatu’s economic development.
Among these was the aviation sector reform work commissioned by the Government of New Zealand at the request of the Government of Vanuatu. While the review has particular relevance to Air Vanuatu, its scope extends to the reform of the aviation sector as a whole, recognising that air connectivity underpins tourism, trade, and the movement of people and goods across the archipelago.
The Minister and His Excellency further discussed a range of infrastructure projects currently supported by New Zealand. These include hydropower projects in the outer islands, which will extend reliable and affordable energy to rural communities, and the South Paray Wharf in Port Vila, which is nearing completion. Once formally opened for commercial operation, the wharf is expected to significantly improve inter-island shipping, expand maritime trade between the islands, and open new market access for producers in the provinces.
The two sides also discussed the rehabilitation of the Mai Tai Mama’s Market House in Port Vila, undertaken with New Zealand support in partnership with the Port Vila City Council. The market sustained substantial damage during the earthquake of 17 December 2024. With works now nearing completion, an announcement on the reopening of the facility is expected shortly. The market is an important outlet for the mamas who produce and sell handicraft, and reopening it will restore a well-loved space for visitors and residents alike to support Vanuatu’s creative industries and the women who drive them.
New Zealand’s ongoing assistance to the health sector was also acknowledged during the discussions.
In closing, the Minister conveyed his greetings to His Excellency and to the Government and people of New Zealand, and expressed his appreciation for a partnership that has stood the test of time. He affirmed the Ministry’s intention to carry that partnership forward, and to direct it in particular towards those areas where the Ministry recognises it has ground to make up.
At the same time, the Minister was firm on the standards that will govern the Ministry’s work. He advised His Excellency that all support provided to industries and operators must be subject to proper due diligence, and must be administered with fairness, transparency and accountability. He indicated that he holds clear expectations that established processes are followed in every aspect of the Ministry’s work, that regulatory requirements are complied with, and that sound governance arrangements are in place, so that investment translates into genuine and lasting economic development for the people of Vanuatu.
His Excellency welcomed the Minister’s position and the emphasis placed on due diligence, compliance and good governance.
ENDS
New Zealand High Commission in Vanuatu
