New Zealand Lawmakers Forge Stronger Ties with Taiwan

High-Level Delegation Arrives in Taipei for Key Meetings and Diplomacy

Taipei, April 13 - A delegation of New Zealand parliamentarians, representing a cross-section of political parties, is currently visiting Taiwan from Sunday through Friday. This high-level visit includes meetings with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and other key government officials, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

The delegation, representing New Zealand's All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan, is co-led by Stuart Smith MP, the senior whip of the National Party, and Labour Party MP Tangi Utikere, as announced by MOFA in a press release.

Additional members of the delegation include NZ First Party whip Jamie Arbuckle MP, ACT Party MP Cameron Luxton, Labour Party MP Helen White, and National Party MPs Greg Fleming and Hamish Campbell, MOFA confirmed.

Joanne Ou (歐江安), Taiwan's top representative in New Zealand, is accompanying the delegation during their visit to Taipei, as evidenced by a photograph released by MOFA.

The seven-member delegation, comprised of representatives from New Zealand's major political parties, will engage in discussions with President Lai and attend banquets hosted by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) and Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), MOFA stated.

The New Zealand All-Party Parliamentary Group was established in March 2023. MOFA reports its primary objectives are to "support Taiwan, strengthen friendly bilateral relations, foster economic and trade collaborations, and contribute to the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region."