The Solomon Islands prime minister, Danny Philip, has acknowledged the development aid given by New Zealand as the main beneficiary in Melanesia.
Speaking after talks with the visiting New Zealand foreign minister, Murray McCully, Mr Philip noted the importance of the help to upgrade the Munda runway to make it an international airport and a gateway to the country's west.
Mr Philip also says his administration endeavours to take over more of the policing work which is being done and funded by the Regional Assistance Mission.
"There is a temptation to fall into a laisser faire that RAMSI is doing everything for us. But there is a very important investment of our own resources into our own local police here to strengthen, to improve and to consolidate our own police force."
The Solomon Islands prime minister, Danny Philip.
