Five New Zealand MPs from across the political spectrum are visiting Samoa to build relationships within the country - and among themselves.
Five New Zealand parliamentarians had the chance to get out of the election buildup briefly and visit Samoa. It wasn't a holiday though.
The job of maintaining external relationships, especially those in the Pacific Islands, continues regardless of whether it's election campaign time in Aotearoa.
The MPs visit to Apia was led by Parliament's Speaker Adrian Rurawhe and included meetings with Samoan MPs and representatives from local business and trade groups.
no caption
Samoa's Speaker of Parliament, Papaliʻi Liʻo Oloipola Taeu Masipau, at an 'ava ceremony to formally welcome the New Zealand delegation, which included Labour's Lemauga Lydia Sosene and Tangi Utikere, Todd Muller of National, and Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono.
no caption
The five New Zealand MPs were given 'ava to drink, in a ceremony that involves tact and skill.
no caption
New Zealand MPs (left to right: Rurawhe, Sosene and Tuiono) wait to receive 'ava. Following the ceremony, the MPs had meetings with their Samoan counterparts. "These types of opportunities grow your own skillset," Sosene explained.
no caption
Bay of Plenty MP Muller tips a little 'ava on the custom mat as a sign of respect to the local community, during the 'ava ceremony. To his left is Palmerston North MP Utikere and to his right, New Zealand's High Commissioner in Samoa, Trevor Matheson.
no caption
Rurawhe responds to the welcome for his delegation. He said it was important to have ongoing relations that are parliament to parliament, and not just government to government.
no caption
The New Zealand MPs were shown around Samoa's Parliamentary debating chamber. It had significantly more natural light than the chamber back in Wellington.
no caption
Samoa's Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Auapaau Mulipola Aloitafua (centre left) and New Zealand's Speaker Rurawhe (centre right) co-chair a meeting to discuss the functions and operations of select committees.
no caption
Following the first change in government for 40 years in Samoa two years ago, Aloitafua said the current Parliament had lots of new MPs and that meeting the New Zealand MPs was a golden opportunity to share notes.
no caption
Sosene said visiting Samoa gave MPs the chance to examine whether New Zealand's programs involving Samoa were working for mutual benefit.
no caption…