Local members of Parliament will be part of a delegation to the Pacific next week.
Whanganui MP Harete Hipango and Te Tai Hauāuru MP Adrian Rurawhe will join Speaker Trevor Mallard and MPs Tim Macindoe and Jo Hayes on the parliamentary delegation to Tonga (October 28-29) and Fiji (October 30-November 1).
They will meet women leaders in Parliament, youth leaders, business and the community. The schedule includes a visit to the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre.
The delegation will also meet the Speakers of both nations and hopes to meet Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama. The delegation will visit sites of New Zealand development assistance, and meet New Zealanders working in the two nations.
"The Pacific region is incredibly important to New Zealand," Mallard said.