PR: Forum focuses on partnership in Pacific education

*Hon Georgina te Heuheu* *Minister for Pacific Island Affairs* *[image:
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*24 March 2009 *
*Media Release* * *

*Forum focuses on partnership in Pacific education*

Pacific Island Affairs Minister Georgina te Heuheu leaves for Tonga today to
attend the Pacific Islands Forum Education Ministers’ meeting.

Mrs te Heuheu, who is attending on behalf of Education Minister Anne Tolley,
said New Zealand was committed to a regional policy framework that set
strategic directions on priorities for regional education development.

‘We also support a strengthened action plan as a critical regional framework
for improving access to, and quality of, basic education in the Pacific.

‘New Zealand is willing to work with other development partners to determine
appropriate regional initiatives to address education priorities identified
in the review called for by Ministers when they last met in 2007.’

Mrs te Heuheu said that New Zealand had always taken pride in being a good
regional neighbour. The forum’s focus on partnership in Pacific education
was a perfect fit.

‘We’ll debate the future of the Pacific regional education initiatives,
project funding and a review of the forum’s basic education action plan,’
she said.

‘We will strengthen existing bonds and create a stronger profile for New
Zealand in the Pacific.’

The 16 member governments of the Pacific Forum have been invited. They are:
Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati,
Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall
Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

*Media contact: Rose Hart, Press Secretary *

* 04 817 9878 or 021 279 9878*