The New Zealand Minister for Social Development and Disability Issues, Carmel Sepuloni yesterday paid a courtesy call to Minister for Women, Mereseini Vuniwaqa.

Minister Vuniwaqa expressed her utmost appreciation for the opportunity to meet with the New Zealand Minister and to discuss the issues, challenges and opportunities in the disability sector and promoting social development.

New Zealand she says is often referred to as a welfare state and we are very fortunate to have its Minister for Social Development in Fiji to shed knowledge and best practices available that can be contextualized in Fiji to help the lives of Fijians who fall within the social protection platform.

Vuniwaqa explained that Fiji’s main priorities are its people especially the disadvantaged and those living in poverty and they have been assisted through welfare programs under the Department of Social Welfare.

In response, Sepuloni noted she was happy to discuss with Vuniwaqa the opportunities and possibilities of cooperation in the social development and disability sector.

The two Ministers also met after a successful parliament visit by the Women Members of the Fijian Parliament to the New Zealand Parliament last week.