A New Zealand trade mission heads off to French Polynesia today at the start of a four-nation tour aimed at expanding regional commercial ties.
The delegation is led by the trade negotiations minister, Jim Sutton, and includes about 40 business leaders from a range of industries.
The mission will also visit American Samoa, Samoa and New Caledonia.
Trade has been growing and Mr Sutton says the Pacific Islands countries are a significant market.
"If you put all those small island states in the south Pacific together, they are a billion dollar market, which really starts to feature in out export statistics."
