Tabuteau joins Speaker's delegation to Europe

Fletcher Tabuteau

Rotorua list MP Fletcher Tabuteau is one of five politicians who will travel to Europe as part of the Government's annual Speaker's Delegation.

The delegation will meet political leaders in France, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Poland and Germany to foster stronger bilateral relations between the New Zealand Parliament and European parliaments.

Mr Tabuteau, a New Zealand First list MP based in Rotorua, will join Speaker of the House David Carter and Chester Borrows (National), Adrian Rurawhe (Labour) and Dr Kennedy Graham (Green) on the trip between April 8 and 23. Mr Carter said the New Zealand delegation would be there to exchange views on the significant economic, political and security challenges in the European Union (EU) and its near neighbourhood, as well as those affecting the Pacific.

"The delegation will also discuss and learn each country's perspectives on recent developments within the EU, particularly for European economies and in the area of immigration."

The delegation would also mark important and historic commemorations, including the 98th anniversary of the Battle of Arras, the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and New Zealand, and the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

"I believe that this visit will strengthen some of our oldest, as well as most significant contemporary, relationships with European countries," Mr Carter said.

Mr Tabuteau said he was excited about the trip and hoped to be able to advocate for deeper economic, trade and people-to-people linkages between New Zealand and Europe.

"I will personally be discussing tourism and established ties to Rotorua and New Zealand, and the prospect of creating or enhancing these ties," he said. The Speaker's Delegation is part of an informal global reciprocal arrangement for parliamentary diplomacy.

This time the Speaker was invited by the parliaments of Poland and Germany to lead a delegation to those countries.