27 Jan 2011

New Zealand officials in Cook Islands for talks

2:36 pm on 27 January 2011

A team of New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials are in the Cook Islands to discuss aspects of cooperation between the two governments with ministries, agencies and the national sustainable development committee.

This follows the discussions between the Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna and his cabinet and the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully in December.

Mr McCully highlighted changes to be made in the delivery of New Zealand assistance to the Cook Islands to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of aid delivery, including direct support to the Cook Islands budget.

Among the specific initiatives likely to be discussed during the meetings are budget support, education assistance, and infrastructure issues, including waste management, tourism and the pearl industry.