Rotorua to host visit by Papua New Guinea prime minister

The prime minister's office today announced that Papua New Guinea's prime minister, Sir Michael Somare, will visit Rotorua on April 21 and 22 as part of a five day official visit to New Zealand.

Sir Michael and his delegation will arrive at Rotorua International Airport on the morning of April 21 before travelling to the Rotorua District Council Civic Centre to be formally welcomed to the city by Mayor Kevin Winters with a powhiri and mayoral reception.

Mr Winters said it would be a privilege to welcome the long serving PNG leader to Rotorua and he was particularly pleased that Sir Michael would be taking the opportunity to experience a mix of cultural, tourism and recreational activities during his stay.

He said these were expected to include a Maori cultural performance, hangi, farm show and possibly a round of golf.

The Papua New Guinea leader would also be having discussions with a group from the Te Arawa Leaders’ Forum while he was in the city.

Mr Winters said Sir Michael was the Pacific region’s elder statesman, having been elected PNG’s first prime minister at independence in 1975 and serving through until 1982. He was returned to office in 1982 for a three year period, and re-elected again in 2002 holding office until the present time.

“This is a remarkable record and testament to the mana Sir Michael holds in his country,” said Mr Winters. “Of course he is also held in high esteem throughout the pacific and we’re thrilled he has chosen to fit a couple of days into Rotorua, alongside busy visits to Wellington and Auckland.”

Mr Winters said it was also fitting that the Papua New Guinea leader would be visiting Rotorua ahead of an major sporting match between the two countries later in the year. He pointed out that Papua New Guinea’s national rugby league team, the Kumuls, would be in Rotorua on 30 October to play the New Zealand Kiwis in an official test match at the city’s International Stadium, as part of the international Four Nations Championship.

Papua New Guinea is regarded as one of the most diverse countries in the world with more than 850 indigenous languages and as many traditional societies amongst its population of around seven million. The capital and seat of government is Port Moresby.