1 Jan 2009

Niue seeks NZ help to re-open fish processing plant

5:41 pm on 1 January 2009

The Niue government will seek New Zealand's help to re-open its fish processing plant when Foreign Minister Murray McCully visits the island for talks next week.

Mr McCully plans to discuss the Fiji situation with Niue's Premier Toke Talagi, who is the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, ahead of an emergency summit in Port Moresby.

However, Mr Talagi said Nuie also wants to ensure New Zealand aid money is better applied on the island so the economy can be developed.

He said a key part of this will be assisting fish processor, Reef Fishing, to take its plant out of mothballs.

Mr Talagi said the facility was a key investment made some time ago in association with Reef and is one of Niue's major resources.