26 May 2014

NZ's Key visiting Pacific but to forgo Forum

8:56 pm on 26 May 2014

New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key will lead a delegation to Samoa, Tonga and Niue next week.

He will meet with Pacific leaders and visit New Zealand aid programme projects during the five day visit.

Mr Key says the mission reflects the close relationship New Zealand has with its Pacific neighbours and the high regard placed on those relationships.

He has also signalled he will not be attending the Pacific Islands Forum leaders summit in Palau in July.

New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully will attend in his place and he will also represent New Zealand at the Small Island Developing States Conference being held in Samoa in September.