Media Statement Hon Phil Goff
27 January 2000
GOFF TAKES PART IN GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY FOR NEW HIGH COMMISSION
Foreign Minister Phil Goff today participated in a ground-breaking ceremony for a New Zealand High Commission building
in the Samoan capital of Apia.
Mr Goff, on an official two-day visit to Samoa, jointly marked the start of the new Chancery project with Samoan Prime
Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Samoan Minister of Lands, Survey, Environment and Tourism, Tuala Sale Tagaloa.
The Chancery will be built on the site of the former Samoan Lands and Survey building.
"The present Chancery was built in 1961 and, while it has served New Zealand well, it no longer meets our needs in this
important Pacific capital," Mr Goff said.
"A very satisfactory arrangement has been made with the Samoan government to exchange the old Chancery building and land
for an adjacent plot of land on which a new Chancery will be built which will meet New Zealand's diplomatic requirements
in Samoa for the foreseeable future."
Title papers for the transfer of land ownership were also formally exchanged between the Ministers during the ceremony.
"New Zealand has a long and very significant association with Samoa and we will be constructing a new Chancery of an
appropriate nature to conduct New Zealand's relations with one of our most important bilateral partners in a region of
particular significance for us," Mr Goff said.
"The Chancery will be designed by Opus International Consultants of Wellington and there should be considerable
opportunities for New Zealand input to the provision of materials and services during the construction phase."
Construction is expected to commence shortly and to be completed by August 2001, at an estimated building cost of $NZ4
million. The High Commission will continue to occupy the present Chancery until the new building is completed.
ENDS
Contact: Paul Goldsmith, Press Secretary 04 471 9794