New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon gives a speech watched by Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape during an event marking 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Photo: RNZ / Russell Palmer
Papua New Guinea's prime minister James Marape has warmly welcomed his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon, on a visit to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties.
It comes more than a month ahead of Papua New Guinea marking 50 years of independence on 16 September.
Luxon was greeted at the airport on Monday evening with a 19-gun salute, before being treated to a lavish state banquet.
Marape thanked New Zealand for its support, as one of the eight countries to diplomatically support Papua New Guinea - a former Australian territory - before it declared independence.
Luxon in turn talked of Papua New Guinea's great potential for growth, saying while Australia and New Zealand would both continue to support that growth it would be driven by businesses and community leveraging "great cultural and resource wealth".
Papua New Guinea's economy is forecast to grow 4.7 percent in 2025, and trade with New Zealand has grown to more than $70 million by value in the March quarter, with aluminium the top export to the country.
Papua New Guinea's prime minister James Marape gives a speech during celebrations of 50 years of diplomatic ties with New Zealand. Photo: RNZ / Russell Palmer
The prime minister has a busy schedule planned for his trip, meeting with the Governor-General before addressing Papua New Guinea's Parliament, then a gift exchange with Prime Minister James Marape before viewing a joint defence force training exercise.
In the afternoon, he will tour the Fred Hollows eye health centre - which New Zealand provided $18.9 million for - before meeting with Marape behind closed doors.
After a group photo on Wednesday, he will return to New Zealand.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Papua New Guinea for celebrations of 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Photo: RNZ / Russell Palmer
Luxon's visit to Port Moresby this week coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Cook Islands' constitution.
Rarotonga has been flooded with high-profile visitors for the occasion, including the Pacific Islands Forum secretary-general Baron Waqa and leaders from French Polynesia, Niue, Tonga, and Tuvalu.
But not Luxon, nor Foreign Minister Winston Peters. The Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro is representing New Zealand there instead.
Peters marked the occasion from Auckland on Monday with a speech that emphasised the Cooks' "right to choose".
He specifically noted that "nothing in the 'Free Association' model would prevent the Cook Islands from unilaterally seeking full independence should they wish to".
The speech was delivered while the prime minister was flying to Port Moresby.
Relations with the Cook Islands have been strained since its Prime Minister Mark Brown signed several deals with China without consulting New Zealand.
Luxon arrives in Papua New Guinea. Photo: RNZ / Russell Palmer
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