23 Feb 2012

NZ to support Cooks Forum hosting

2:58 pm on 23 February 2012

New Zealand is to give support to the Cook Islands as it hosts the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in August.

The Pacific Islands Forum secretariat this week announced new dates of August the 27th to the 31st in Rarotonga.

New Zealand's foreign minister, Murray McCully, says on a recent trip to the Cook Islands, he was impressed with the preparations so far.

He says as the current chair of the Forum, New Zealand wants to offer as much support as it can.

"I've been careful to make sure we offer some support in one or two areas, but the Cook Islands understand that hosting the forum is an honour that comes around occasionally, and they plan to pick up their obligations."

Murray McCully says the Forum will be a major promotional opportunity for the tourism-dependent country.