Parliamentarians from 17 Pacific countries and territories are being hosted in New Zealand this week for a parliamentary forum.
Pacific MPs pose for a group photo inside the New Zealand Parliament building. The more than 40 delegates from 17 Pacific countries and territories are in New Zealand for the Pacific Parliamentary Forum. It was held in Auckland and Wellington from the 14th to the 18th of November 2016. Photo: RNZI / Koroi Hawkins
The Speaker of New Zealand's parliament says this is a great opportunity for the parliamentarians to meet with their New Zealand counterparts on major issues in the region.
David Carter says the forum serves as a means of sharing knowledge of issues and parliamentary practices, and enhancing parliamentary democracy in the Pacific.
The parliament will have a special debate on Pacific issues today for the more than 40 forum delegates.
Tomorrow delegates will debate on climate change, Pacific resources, security and governance, and Parliament and the community.
Earlier in the week the delegates were in Auckland where the focus was on community, business and MP constituency engagement.
Yesterday in Wellington, they observed a re-enactment of the Cook Islands Men March to Parliament 1915.
In addition to the Forum debates, the Pacific parliamentarians will engage with select committees and hear from guest speakers on Pacific issues.
