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 New Zealand |  Solomon Islands |
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New Zealand–Solomon Islands relations are thebilateral relations betweenNew Zealand and theSolomon Islands. Both countries are members of theCommonwealth of Nations andPacific Islands Forum.
New Zealand is represented in Solomon Islands by its High Commission inHoniara.[1] Solomon Islands is represented in New Zealand by its High Commission inWellington.[2]
New Zealand and the Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations on 7 July 1978 after the Solomons gained independence.[3]
In response to civil conflict within the Solomon Islands, New Zealand contributed defence and civilian personnel to the Australian-led International Peace Monitoring Team (IPMT) following theTownsville Peace Agreement in October 2000. Between 2003 and 2017, New Zealand contributed both military and law enforcement personnel to theRegional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI).[4]
In March 2015, the New Zealand journalistsNicky Hager andRyan Gallagher reported that New Zealand's signals intelligence agency, theGovernment Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), was using the internetmass surveillance systemXKeyscore to intercept email communications from several senior Solomon Islands government ministers, theSolomons Islands Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and anti-corruption campaignerBenjamin Afuga.[5] In response, the New Zealand Foreign MinisterMurray McCully sought to reassure the Solomon Islands Government's concerns about New Zealand's mass surveillance program. The Solomons Chief of Staff,Robert Iroga, objected to the GCSB's tapping of his government's internal communications, which in his view damaged New Zealand's image as a "friendly government" in the South Pacific.[6]
In March 2022,Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern supported Australia's concerns about asecurity pact between China and Solomon Islands; claiming that it would lead to the militarisation of the South Pacific.[7] In addition, the New Zealand Government unsuccessfully lobbiedFrench Polynesian andNew Caledonian officials into taking a position on the Chinese—Solomon Islands security pact.[8]
On 12 May 2024,New Zealand Foreign MinisterWinston Peters visitedSolomons Prime MinisterJeremiah Manele, who had succeededManasseh Sogavare following the2024 Solomon Islands general election.[9] This was part of Peters' tour of several Pacific states includingPapua New Guinea,Vanuatu,New Caledonia andTuvalu in mid-May 2024.[10]
New Zealand has a development cooperation programme with the Solomon Islands focusing on building state capacity, social and economic resilience, sustainable resource management, climate resilience, fishing, humanitarian and disaster relief.[11] In 2016, the New Zealand and Solomons foreign ministersMurray McCully andMilner Tozaka signed a revised Joint Commitment for Development focusing on transport infrastructure, fisheries, education, tourism, aviation, revenue administration and justice.[3]
Bilateral economic relations are modest. Both New Zealand and the Solomon Islands have ratified thePACER Plus agreement.[11] Solomon Islanders are also eligible to participate in New Zealand's seasonal horticulture worker programme, theRecognised Seasonal Employer scheme.[3][11]
Solomon Islanders are also eligible for New Zealand's Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships programme, which provides both tertiary and short-term training scholarships. Several Solomon Islanders politicians and civil servants have also studied at New Zealand schools and tertiary institutions.[11]
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