BY MORRIS NAFU
THE Solomon Islands and New Zealand officially launched a 10-year education partnership agreement, pledging New Zealand’s investment of $300 million to uplift education across the country from 2025 to 2035.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the agreement during a ceremony held at Honiara High School, on a side event of the Pacific Islands Forum Leadership Meeting yesterday.
Minister of Education and Human Resources Development Tozen Leokana also attended the event, highlighting the strong ties between the two nations.
Reflecting on over two decades of collaboration, PM Luxon said, “This partnership builds on more than 20 years of working together in education.
“New Zealand has supported Solomon Islands since 1967, including a significant investment following the 2004 tensions.
“Today, we are proud to commit $300 million over the next decade to improve education delivery across all nine provinces and numerous islands.”
He emphasised the importance of education as a foundation for a brighter future, sharing his personal story of how a quality state education helped him succeed.
“Nothing is more important than setting our children up for a better future.
Education is a powerful equaliser, giving every child—regardless of background—the chance to pursue their dreams.”
The partnership focuses on four key areas: decentralising education responsibilities to provincial levels, enhancing teacher management systems, strengthening data collection, and improving sector coordination.
These efforts aim to ensure consistent and quality education throughout the Solomon Islands.
PM Luxon expressed pride in the enduring friendship between the two countries and their shared commitment to empowering young people.

“The Solomon Islands is a nation of incredible potential. Together, we want every young person here to have the opportunity to live their own version of the Solomon Islands Dream, just as we do in New Zealand.” PM said.
Minister Leokana welcomed the partnership, highlighting its significance for the nation’s future. Both leaders look forward to working closely to achieve lasting educational outcomes that will benefit generations to come.
“This is a landmark occasion that not only celebrates an ongoing collaboration, but also provides an opportunity to reflect on the enduring and varied partnership between the Australian-Irish Government and the people in successive countries of the United States.
Our relationship with New Zealand goes back to the years before independence. Since that time, successive New Zealand governments have made extraordinary investments in the development of education in our country.
These efforts reflect not only New Zealand’s commitment, but also the spirit of mutual cooperation and sustainable development.
Through this collaboration, New Zealand supported teachers’ education, curriculum development, professional development for teachers and school leaders, and the educational infrastructure that has enabled our government to expand both access to and the quality of education across Northern Ireland.
Together, we continue to strengthen the foundation of learning that will shape the future of our nation,” he said.