New Zealand Prime Minister His Excellency Christopher Luxon on the first day of his three days official visit to Papua New Guinea addressed the National Parliament this morning, Tuesday 05th August 2025. Before his address he showed acknowledgement to the Motu Koita People, who are traditional custodians of the Port Moresby. Prime Minister Luxon also sent best wishes on behalf of the people of New Zealand to all the people of PNG on the upcoming 50th Anniversary of Independence, congratulating the country for reaching 50 years of Golden Jubilee. PM Luxon also acknowledged the Parliament for granting him the privileged to address the parliament today, stating his is honored to be the first ever Prime Minister of New Zealand to speak in PNG’s chamber. In his address, PM Luxon emphasized on New Zeeland’s presence since the World War two, were many fought to defend PNG and died alongside many Papua New Guineans too and today many New Zealand’s soldiers’ lye in PNG soil at Bomana War Cemetery. Even during the post war period, New Zealanders have come back to PNG and supported PNG through until independence and the relations continues until today. Since PNG’s Independence, seven (7) NZ Prime Ministers have visited PNG and Prime Minister Luxon is honored to be the 8th NZ Prime Minister on PNG soil. PM Luxon emphasized on strengthening bilateral ties and partnerships between the two countries, marking the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea's independence as well as 50 years of diplomatic relations between the nations. He also pointed out that NZ helped to play facilitative role to help the Bougainvilleans find the truth amongst themselves and with PNG. “We continue to work alongside both governments as you jointly sync mutually agreed way forward.” Luxon also highlighted New Zealand's longstanding support for PNG since its independence, especially in areas such as education, development assistance, and peacebuilding efforts with Bougainville, fresh produce area, business space for unlocking economic growth, electrification partnership, defence and security corporation and many more. PM Luxon further added that today PNG plays a critical leadership role in the Regional Architecture, where it must work together with all Pacific Island forum members. PM Luxon also emphasized that Australia who has been an indispensable partner to both nations, is a fellow pacific country that engages in significant scale here and throughout the region in support of Pacific priorities. “There is more that the three of us can do together and in concept with other pacific countries to ensure continued peace and prosperity and to deliver on our collective ambition under the 2050 strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.” “We can work more closely together on regional and global issues, at the time of turbulence, it is up to us to create and defend the region that we want and to influence the world that we want to live in.” “I hope for the next 50 years, when my successor comes, for the sentinel celebrations, he/she will be able to look back at our partnership that has continued to go beyond the handshake and will continue to invest in each other's success.” Thus, this visit will include bilateral discussions on trade, climate resilience, labour mobility, infrastructure development, as well as regional security. The visit is aimed to deepen people-to-people links, government partnerships, and economic collaboration, reflecting a commitment to advancing regional solidarity and cooperation in the Pacific over the next 50 years. “Ultimately, the strength of our partnership lies not only in governance, but with the people and it has strengthened, and friendship are forged, challenges are identified and faced down together.” The Prime Minister reiterated that New Zealand has committed to continue work with PNG on shared beliefs to create a brighter future for both countries.