NZ Government briefed on Economic Development proposals

A presentation outlining the key points of the Economic Development Task Force programme have been well-received in New Zealand. Information about the programme was conveyed to the NZ Government during a visit to Wellington recently by Task Force Chairman Tata Crocombe, and the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Mac Mokoroa.
The Prime Minister and Cabinet have been advised by the team that the meetings conducted in Wellington were positive and well-received. Crocombe and Mokoroa met with NZ Minister of Pacific Islands Affairs, Georgina Te Heuheu, the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Chairman, John Hayes, Prime Ministerial and MFAT Staff.
Among the areas of discussion were the main initiatives of the current economic drive, including the development of air links, eco-tourism, organic agriculture, green energy, shipping and infrastructure, and bank interest rates. There was additional information on how the Cook Islands and New Zealand can work more closely together in areas of social development, such as Health and Education, Sports Development, Police and Justice. Regulatory harmonization with NZ may offer considerable advantages and there are a number of areas where the two countries can realize benefits, such as environmental management, employment relations, building control, fair-trading and commerce.
The Prime Minister says many of these key discussion points are being formulated into agenda issues for the forthcoming Joint Ministerial Forum, which is now expected to take place in early April. The agenda will be subject to ongoing negotiation with the NZ Government in preparation for the Cook Islands to host the inaugural JMF. -PM Office Media Release