(Picture caption: Secretary for Pacific Peoples Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone and Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Chris Seed sign a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalising the working partnership between MPP and MFAT.)
The Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) are committed to working together towards the common goal of better outcomes for Pacific peoples within Aotearoa and in the wider Pacific region.
On March 9, Secretary for Pacific Peoples Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone and Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Chris Seed signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalising the relationship between the two ministries, while enhancing opportunities for collaboration.
Speaking at the signing, which took place at MPP’s national office in Wellington, Gerardine says both government agencies share the same vision to see Pacific peoples in Aotearoa and throughout the region thriving.
“In 2019, MPP signed a two-year MoU with MFAT back in 2019, signalling a new working relationship with our fellow government agency, based on a spirit of collectivism and partnership,” Gerardine says.
“With the strong connection between Pacific communities in Aotearoa and the region highlighted during events such as the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcanic eruption and the Tuvaluan and Tokelauan COVID-19 outbreaks last year, it is fitting to refresh the MoU.”
The two agencies worked closely together on New Zealand’s response ensuring official information from government – in terms of what support was available to the affected Pacific countries – was relevant and accurate.
It comes on the heels of this Ministry’s expanded work programme, including the Pacific Languages Strategy and the All-of-Government Pacific Wellbeing Strategy, once again aligning our shared vision of thriving Pacific communities.
Gerardine adds Pacific communities in Aotearoa remain closely linked to the wider region through familial and cultural ties, and the flow of information between diasporic communities and their homelands is significant.
“The document we have signed signals our two agencies’ willingness to collaborate on the development of a shared work programme in targeted areas of mutual interest,” she says.
“We anticipate opportunities to arise from this partnership, by building Pacific cultural expertise and competency across both agencies.
“Collaborating more effectively with each other where domestic and international issues intersect and sharing insights from community engagements can only enhance the development of our programmes and policy.”
Over the next two years, the refresh of this special partnership will allow both ministries to continue delivering the work required to achieve the shared vision of having healthy, resilient, thriving Pacific communities – in Aotearoa and the region.
“I am honoured to be a signatory alongside Chris and look forward to creating positive change in this space spanning the great Pacific moana.”