Villamor Air Base, Pasay City & Rizal Park, City of Manila
April 18, 2024

Right Honorable Christopher Luxon, the 42nd Prime Minister of New Zealand, arrives in Manila as he begins his Official Visit to the Philippines beginning 18 April until 20 April 2024.

The Prime Minister’s visit is the first dedicated visit by a New Zealand Prime Minister to the Philippines in the past 14 years. This is his third leg in Southeast Asia following Singapore and Thailand. He is joined by a senior business delegation, demonstrating the Government of New Zealand’s commitment to deepen international engagement in the region.

In a statement posted on 8 April 2024, Prime Minister Luxon highlighted the Philippines as one of the fastest growing economies in the region and is expected to be a top 20 global economy by 2050. He is looking forward to meeting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to advance the New Zealand-Philippines relations, which spans nearly 60 years, and to explore more business opportunities.

As his activities commence, the Prime Minister pays tribute to Dr. Jose P. Rizal in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Park Monument in Manila. Thereafter, he proceeds to Malacañan Palace to officially meet with the President.

New Zealand is home to over 100,000 Filipinos. Apart from the business delegation, the Prime Minister is also joined by Mr. Paulo Garcia, New Zealand’s first Filipino Member of Parliament, in this visit.

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