Travel advisory: Solomon Islands

NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

New Zealanders are strongly advised to defer all travel to Solomon Islands.

A new Prime Minister was elected on 30 June and a government formed, following the constitutional crisis earlier in the month.

The security situation is unstable, however. Grievances that gave rise to the crisis have not been settled. The Malaita Eagle Force militant group in collaboration with elements of the Royal Solomon Islands Police controls Honiara.

The Isatabu Freedom Movement militants control large parts of rural Guadalcanal.

There has been an increase in the number and seriousness of armed clashes between the opposing groups on Guadalcanal, particularly around Honiara, in recent days. There have also been an increasing number of armed incidents in Honiara involving expatriates.

A curfew has been imposed from 10pm to 5.30am each night. There is no effective functioning police service on Guadalcanal. Essential services are uncertain. In some outlying provinces also the security situation remains tense, with instances of fighting and lawlessness.

International flights to Honiara are infrequent and subject to cancellation at short notice. Most New Zealand nationals have left the Solomon Islands. Those remaining are advised to leave as commercial flights allow.

Please note: While every care has been taken in preparing these travel advisories, neither the New Zealand Government nor its agents and employees can accept liability for any loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.

For further enquiries contact the Consular Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Stafford House 38-42 The Terrace, Wellington: Tel 64-4 494-8500; Fax 494-8506; E-mail: cons@mft.govt.nz