Prime Minister James Marape has hailed the official visit of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon as a historic and defining moment in the bilateral relations between Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, reaffirming a shared commitment to peace, prosperity, and Pacific solidarity. Prime Minister Luxon today became the first New Zealand Prime Minister and only the second foreign leader in history to address the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea, joining Australian Prime Minister Hon. Anthony Albanese who addressed Parliament in 2023. Welcoming Prime Minister Luxon and his delegation to Parliament House at Waigani, Prime Minister Marape described the visit as a “powerful reaffirmation of a friendship rooted in integrity, trust, and shared Pacific values.” “Today, we do not just welcome a neighbor — we welcome a family member,” Prime Minister Marape said. “New Zealand stood with us in 1975 when we gained Independence and has walked alongside us for the last fifty years.” “This visit renews that vow of partnership and positions us to move forward together for the next fifty years.” PM Marape also paid tribute to New Zealand’s longstanding role in PNG’s development — from supporting the formation of PNG’s civil service and health and education sectors to playing a vital peace-building role during the Bougainville Crisis and following the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement in 2001. He highlighted the Papua New Guinea–New Zealand Statement of Partnership 2025–2029, launched earlier this year during his State Visit to Wellington, as a bold and strategic framework to deepen cooperation across five key pillars: · Political and regional collaboration · Economic and trade engagement · Education and labor mobility · Peace and security, particularly Bougainville · Climate action and environmental resilience “This partnership is not built on aid or handouts,” said PM Marape. “It is built on mutual respect and a shared vision for transforming lives, uplifting communities, and creating opportunity for the next generation.” PM Marape and PM Luxon will hold bilateral to progress specific initiatives that align with PNG’s 50-year development vision, including: · Expanding New Zealand’s Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme to include over 10,000 Papua New Guinean workers, including skilled labor pathways. · Increasing New Zealand business investment in agriculture, infrastructure, and energy in PNG. · Boosting vocational training and youth employment opportunities. · Supporting peaceful dialogue and implementation of the Melanesian Agreement on Bougainville · Scaling up climate resilience efforts and renewable energy cooperation. Prime Minister Marape also acknowledged key people-to-people connections, including thousands of New Zealanders living and working in PNG and the growing Papua New Guinean diaspora in New Zealand. “Students, teachers, professionals and families making both nations stronger.” The Prime Minister emphasized the critical role both countries must play in shaping the Pacific’s future amid growing global competition. “In a world of turbulence, we seek friends who lead not through might, but through right — and New Zealand is such a friend,” he said. “Our unity as Pacific nations is more important than ever.” He noted that New Zealand’s support in defence, climate diplomacy, and regional leadership continues to be instrumental in advancing shared priorities under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. “We are committed to stand together — to protect our oceans, defend our democracies, and ensure no Pacific child is left behind.” Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed PNG’s confidence in a brighter shared future with New Zealand. “Let it be said that the PNG–New Zealand relationship is not just transactional — it is transformational. Together, we are building something that transcends politics — a legacy of peace, purpose, and Pacific partnership.” “May the bond between our peoples deepen. May the mountains of PNG and the shores of Aotearoa rise together. And may the next 50 years be a testament to what we can achieve — side by side, wantok to wantok.”