Fiji congratulates New Zealand on Treaty of Waitangi anniversary

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has sent well wishes to the government and people of New Zealand as the neighbor country commemorates the 176th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, the Fijian government announced Saturday.

In a letter to his New Zealand counterpart John Key, Bainimarama said Fiji values its relations with New Zealand and expressed pleasure at the recent developments in bilateral and multilateral relations between the two countries.

"As you commemorate the 176th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on Feb. 6, I convey to you the warm greetings and best wishes of the government and the people of Fiji. Fiji values its ties with New Zealand and is pleased with the warming relationship that has evolved in the last fifteen months through various reengagement opportunities at bilateral, regional and international levels," Bainimarama said, according to Fiji's Department of Information.

In his letter, the Fijian prime minister said that Fiji and New Zealand can work together to address some of the common challenges facing the region, in particular, the issue of climate change.

"I am confident that the cordial links that now exist between our two countries will continue to strengthen in order to provide the enabling space for collaboration on the common challenges of peace, security, climate change and the protection of our oceans and seas," said Bainimarama.

"We wish you and all the people of New Zealand a joyous celebration in the true spirit of Waitangi Day."

A public holiday in New Zealand, Waitangi Day is marked on Feb. 6 every year to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document, on that date in 1840. Enditem