The Tuvalu High Commission in New Zealand is the official Tuvalu government representation in New Zealand for all bilateral relations including foreign affairs, trade and investment in both countries..
The Tuvalu High Commission in Wellington was officially established and opened on the 02 February 2015 by Prime Minister of Tuvalu Hon Enele Sosene Sopoaga and became part of the diverse and vibrant diplomatic family of Wellington. HE Mr Paul Panapa is currently appointed to take charge of the Tuvalu High Commission with the primary responsibility to serve the interests of Tuvalu in New Zealand.
Tuvalu’s Interests
- Through a structured bilateral relation with the Government of NZ based on mutual trust and respect
- Seek and secure job opportunities for Tuvaluans in New Zealand
- Provide consular services to the biggest Tuvaluan diaspora living in New Zealand.
- Collaborate with Wellington-based Missions on issues of importance to Tuvalu through strengthened consultative process
- Help promote and market Tuvalu’s culture and as an ecotourism destination
- Advocate Tuvalu’s unique and vulnerable position on climate change
The High Commission
The Tuvalu High Commission is located on Level 2 of Wakefield House at 90 The Terrace in Wellington CBD. A five-minute walk from New Zealand Parliament and the famous Beehive Building, the seat of the Government of New Zealand.
The High Commission is currently manned by two diplomatic staff and two support staff. The role of the High Commission is to function as the channel of communication between the Government of Tuvalu and that of New Zealand, act as official representative of Tuvalu, and to promote the interests of Tuvalu and its citizens living in New Zealand. The High Commission also play a similar role in facilitating communication with other foreign Missions based in Wellington.
One of the functions of the High Commission is to look after its citizens living in New Zealand and therefore typical consular duties are performed which include extension and renewal of passports and emergency documents, assistance on any Tuvaluans detained, imprisoned and so forth. The level of assistance provided by the High Commission will be subject as well to the availability of resources and prioritisation of its work.
Country Profile:
History
Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands which became part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony under the British Protectorate in 1892, was first sighted by Spaniard explorer Alvaro de Mendana in 1568. Predominantly of Polynesian descent the Ellice Islands was legally separated from the Gilbert Islands declaring a State of its own under a new name TUVALU in 1975 and then October 1st, 1978 Tuvalu became an independent nation.
Geography
Tuvalu means “standing eight” referring to the eight main inhabited islands of the group, however, its flag has nine yellow stars geographically positioned against a royal blue background representing all islands of Tuvalu. The total land area is 26 square kilometres spreading over an exclusive economic zone of around 900,000 square kilometres. It is located in the central Pacific just north of Fiji and west of Samoa and all islands are coral atolls merely 3 metres above sea-level.
Tuvalu has a population of over 10,000 according to the latest census 2012 with the biggest diaspora living in New Zealand (approx. 4000).
Government
Tuvalu is a Commonwealth Realm and Constitutional Monarchy with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as its Head of State. It follows the Westminster model of government with a single house with a one party rule. In September 2000 Tuvalu was admitted as a full member of the Commonwealth and the United Nations family. HE Sir Iakoba Taeia Italei GCMG is currently the Governor-General of Tuvalu appointed by Her Majesty The Queen as Her representative while Honourable Enele Sosene Sopoaga OBE was elected Prime Minister of Tuvalu in 2015 for a term of four years.
Bilateral Relations
Tuvalu and New Zealand share common interests on Pacific issues, and have therefore worked together to address these issues at the regional and international level. Amongst these issues climate change, renewable energy, fisheries and labour mobility have been identified as priority issues in the bilateral cooperation between Tuvalu and New Zealand.
New Zealand is also where the biggest Tuvaluan diaspora live roughly around 4000..
Tuvaluans come to New Zealand to work under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme and can apply for New Zealand residency under the Pacific Access Category (PAC). Tuvalu’s quota under the PAC is 70 people every year. Potential job opportunities have been identified with the possibility of extending engagement of Tuvaluans to participate in other sectors of the New Zealand economy like fisheries and construction work as part of labour mobility initiatives under the PACER Plus.