17 May 2004

NZ governor general off to Solomon Islands visit

2:21 pm on 17 May 2004

New Zealand's Governor General, Dame Silvia Cartwright, leaves for a four day trip to Solomon Islands today, after an invitation from her counterpart in Honiara.

Dame Silvia's first visit to the Solomons will include official meetings with the Prime Minister, and governor general.

She says she'll also visit the New Zealand troops and non-government organisations, and open an aid project which is a shelter for local women.

"I'm also going to be taken around to some of our defence force sites where our defence forces and our police have been so closely involved. We are really really proud of what they have achieved in the Solomon Islands and I think the people of the Solomons, including the women who've had to a huge role to play in achieving peace there, deserve our greatest respect."

New Zealand governor general, Dame Silvia Cartwright.