BY NED GAGAHE
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has strengthened Solomon Islands’ bilateral ties with New Zealand during his recent official visit where he held high-level talks and advanced key development priorities, including accelerating progress on the Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Project.
Speaking to local media during a press conference in Honiara on Friday, August 9, 2025, PM Manele described the visit as productive and encouraging, emphasizing New Zealand’s role as a “trusted development partner”.
He held bilateral discussions with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Foreign Minister Winston Peters, and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones.
The Prime Minister outlined several key areas of strengthened cooperation between the two countries, including fisheries and marine resource management, labour mobility expansion and support for RSE workers, education and youth development, climate resilience and security, as well as infrastructure and trade, particularly under the PACER Plus framework.
A major focus of the Prime Minister’s update was the Bina Harbour Tuna Processing Project, which he described as a “flagship initiative” under the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT).
He said with donor backing including support from New Zealand, the project is expected to create over 1,600 jobs and inject an estimated USD 400 million into the national economy over the next 15 years.
“This will be a game-changer for Malaita Province and for the broader Solomon Islands economy,” PM Manele said.
Acknowledging growing public concern about the lack of visible progress on the ground, PM Manele said these concerns are valid.
“People have every right to ask questions, particularly when a project is continually referenced as a national priority,” Manele said.
However, he urges the public to appreciate the complexity of such large-scale infrastructure projects, citing challenges related to foreign investment, environmental safeguards, landowner agreements, and donor coordination.
He confirmed that the project is currently in a critical preparatory phase, which includes land identification, environmental and social impact assessments, stakeholder consultations, and the securing of credible investment partners.
The estimated cost of development stands at USD 202 million, covering infrastructure, utilities, and port connectivity. Financing is being pursued through highly concessional loans with terms of 30 plus years, interest rates under 1%, and 10-year grace periods.
PM Manele also confirmed that resources will be allocated for the project in the 2026 national development budget.
While in Auckland, the Prime Minister visited Sanford Limited, New Zealand’s oldest seafood company, to explore investment in fisheries and aquaculture.
He also toured the Port of Auckland to assess opportunities for maritime infrastructure cooperation and training partnerships with Solomon Ports.
He met with over 100 members of the Solomon Islands diaspora in Auckland, acknowledging their contributions and assuring them that their voices remain important to national development.
In Wellington, he met with private sector representatives and development agencies, where he expressed gratitude for New Zealand’s continued support in key areas such as climate change adaptation, early warning systems, infrastructure, education, and capacity building.
PM Manele concluded his address by reaffirming the government’s commitment to strategic partnerships that drive real, inclusive development.
“Whether through bilateral diplomacy, regional cooperation, or investment in infrastructure like Bina Harbour, our goal is to create opportunity, resilience, and unity in our nation,” he said.
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