The Australian Capital Territory’s (ACT) Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, is leading a four-day trade mission to New Zealand and the Pacific to meet with government ministers, the new Wellington Mayor, and progress direct aviation links between Canberra and Auckland and Canberra and Nadi.
“The ACT Government has a clear ambition to connect Canberra and the region with places, markets and sectors where we have common interests and this mission will also continue our work delivering on the objectives in our International Engagement Strategy and fostering our strong productive relationship with our sister city Wellington,” Chief Minister Barr said in a statement.
The trade mission, which departed from Canberra this morning, will include time in Wellington, Auckland, and Nadi.
“In New Zealand, I will hold meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Grant Robertson, NZ Transport Minister Michael Wood, Mayor Tory Whanau, the new mayor of Wellington, and John Allen, CEO of WellingtonNZ, to continue to foster the successful relationship we have with Wellington as part of the Sister City Agreement,” said Mr Barr.
“I will tour the new Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre and meet with senior representatives from Auckland Airport and Air New Zealand. The day in Fiji will include meetings with Fiji Airways CEO and Nadi International Airport.”
Canberra Airport management will join the delegation in Auckland and Nadi.
