New Zealand Prime Minister Luxon to visit Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to the Philippines with a senior business delegation next week as part of a three-country swing in Southeast Asia aimed at deepening international engagement, his office announced yesterday.

This will be the first dedicated visit by a New Zealand prime minister to the Philippines in the past 14 years. Luxon will meet with President Marcos.

The visit to Manila, Singapore and Thailand will take place from April 14 to 20.

“The Philippines is one of the fastest growing economies in the region and expected to be a top 20 global economy by 2050. I am looking forward to reconnecting with President Marcos, to advancing our countries’ relationship of nearly 60 years and to scoping more opportunities for New Zealand businesses,” Luxon said.

“Continuing to foster our global relationships can only benefit the New Zealand economy and I intend to pursue these relationships in Southeast Asia and around the world,” he added.

New Zealand is home to over 100,000 Filipinos.

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by Simon Watts, the minister of climate change and revenue, and Paulo Garcia, New Zealand’s first Filipino member of Parliament.