The Solomon Islands prime minister, Sir Allan Kemakeza, says it may take a decade before the police force is restored to where it was before the ethnic tension of the late 1990's.
Sir Allan has arrived in New Zealand after a visit to Australia during which he has expressed his goverment's appreciation for helping restore law and order.
He says he would like to encourage New Zealand investment.
Sir Allan also says it will take a long time before key institutions will be fully run by Solomon Islanders again.
"It must be more than ten years before we could have a police force that can look after Solomon islands; and not only a police force but also other organisations of the government."
