NZ foreign minister begins abbreviated Melanesian tour

[Radio New Zealand International, 13 June 2011] - The New Zealand foreign minister, Murray McCully, will today head off to Vanuatu as part of a Melanesian tour shortened by the political uncertainty in Papua New Guinea. 

A tour of Polynesian countries will follow in a month in the lead-up to the Pacific Islands Forum summit in Auckland at which Vanuatu will pass the chairmanship to New Zealand.
Walter Zweifel reports.

“Murray McCully is to meet Vanuatu leaders today for bilateral talks and then fly on to Solomon Islands tomorrow. His delegation will include officials, NGO delegates and representatives of businesses using the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme, which has been sourcing workers from Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. The political uncertainty in Papua New Guinea has prompted Mr McCully to cancel a planned visit to Port Moresby.”

“Last week, the acting prime minister, Sam Abal, sacked the foreign minister, Don Polye, for alleged insubordination but has yet to name a replacement.”