In a gesture of cooperation and goodwill, the newly appointed New Zealand High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency (HE), Jonathan Curr, paid his first courtesy visit to the Lord Mayor of Honiara City Council, Councillor (Cr) Eddie Kasuteé Siapu, on the 24 March 2025 at the Honiara City Council office.
This meeting marks a significant step towards bolstering diplomatic relations and enhancing collaborative efforts between the two nations.=
During their discussions, High Commissioner HE Jonathan Curr emphasized New Zealand’s commitment to supporting the Solomon Islands as Pacific neighbours.
“We share a deep-rooted partnership with the Solomon Islands, and our focus remains on fostering sustainable development and enhancing the quality of life for all citizens,” said High Commissioner Curr.
Lord Mayor Siapu welcomed the High Commissioner, highlighting the vital role that international partnerships play in local governance and community development.
“Strengthening our ties with New Zealand is crucial as we seek to address the unique challenges faced by Honiara and other regions in the Solomon Islands,” said the Lord Mayor in his welcome remark.
Honiara City Council is truly grateful to the New Zealand Government and people for its generous support through the Local Government of New Zealand in capacity building for HCC staff implemented by Pacific TA since 2023, he explained.
HCC Mayor uttered that Pacific TA has been providing technical assistance to HCC in areas of physical planning, building inspection and control, financial management, and facility management. Some HCC Councillors and staff have been to New Zealand on study tours, spending valuable time with Councils in Christchurch, Rollerstone (Selwyn District), and Palmerston North.
“We thank you for building our Youth Hub and extending the Multi-Purpose Hall. These new infrastructures really give a facelift to that particular location and provide modern facilities for Honiara youths to access and enjoy the service. HCC had an agreement with New Zealand High Commission in Honiara to jointly manage the Multi Purpose Hall facility but this ended last year after New Zealand withdrew its support due to issues with fund management by former HCC employees.”
“ChildFund of New Zealand is also supporting HCC Youth Division with its programs and activities. This partnership is a direct support to Youth Division for its Tok Spot program since inception in around 2019. Honestly, my government and the HCC administration have not been part of the implementation of this ChildFund project. However, HCC is grateful for the generous support,” Mayor expressed.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss challenges faced by the council and potential areas for future collaboration, particularly in relation to partnerships in development projects. Both leaders expressed hope that these initiatives will contribute to a prosperous future for the people of Honiara and the wider Solomon Islands.
As the meeting concluded, both the High Commissioner and the Lord Mayor emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation. They agreed to work closely together to leverage resources and expertise for the benefit of the community.
