9 May 2017

NZ Foreign Minister visits Tonga

7:26 pm on 9 May 2017

New Zealand's foreign minister Gerry Brownlee is travelling to Tonga today to meet King Tupou VI, the prime minister 'Akilisi Pohiva and his ministers.

The visit is the first by a New Zealand foreign minister since 2015.

Gerry Brownlee has been Defence Minister and oversaw the Canterbury rebuild.

New Zealand foreign minister Gerry Brownlee. Photo: RNZ / Jane Patterson

Mr Brownlee said he would be discussing New Zealand's assistance to Tonga, including energy, policing, justice and education.

He said he would also meet business leaders and visit New Zealand-funded renewable energy projects in the country.