Are we entitled to ask why is the Gummit so focused on opening the border with Oz where there are continuing numbers of Covit-19 infections (and, by extension, Israel FFS) while Samoa and the Cook Islands (no infections ever), countries with whom we supposedly enjoy a special relationship and who are totally dependent on tourism, remain off the table.
So much for looking after our own.
Just askin.
No Minister 
Milt doesn't care about the number of males at the top of the Green party butOh noes, how will we ensure that teh Menz get appropriate representation in Parliament? Somebody gots to do something!
But it seems to me that if you are talking big with Oz where new cases of Covid-19 are being reported every day then you should at least being doing the same with our PI neighbors where there have been no cases … ever.I'd prefer it if we weren't talking to anybody about opening up international travel right now, given that Aus still has community transmission and the islands are getting visited by plague ships in the form of fishing boats. But if the govt is insisting on it, re-opening travel with Australia's a hell of a lot more complicated a job than the islands so not surprised they start there first.
So only other parties need to be fair with representation, not the Greens eh Milt? What a hypocrite.
Should we at some highly unlikely point in the future have cause to regard getting male representation in Parliament as a sign of progress, I'll be sure to criticise the Greens if seven out of 10 of the top places on their list go to women. Until then, not so much.
Milt … we agree to agree again. It does not make sense to me that the government should be considering opening the boarder with Oz while there are still active cases there (on Saturday there were 11 new cases in Victoria). But clearly both governments are talking and my simple point is shouldn't our government be talking to Samoa and the Cook Islands governments given that there have been no cases ever in those two jurisdictions.Some here have raised the issue of foreign fishing boats posing an hazard particularly in respect of Samoa … well yes, they do, and the Samoan government has been resolute in denying them entry. As I said in my post … the Samoan government is particularly sensitive about boarder security given what happened in 1919 and 2019 but tourism is a mainstay of their economy and its in both our countries interests to see that reopen.
Johno thread jacking. Thought Veterans was going to deal to that?
Ahhh Don't see New Zealanders on holiday visa listed here.Note date.https://www.samoagovt.ws/2020/05/amended-state-of-emergency-orders-for-coronavirus-covid-19-30th-may-2020/
(1) Except in exceptional circumstances approved by Cabinet, all international travel to and from Samoa by plane are ceased.I guess when they lift that ban perhaps negotiations with other Governments including New Zealand will commence.Oops looks similar to Snowflakes first comment.
Finger pointing over measles outbreak continues.https://virologydownunder.com/measles-in-samoa-a-couple-of-referenced-facts/
Guys … pessimism vs optimism. All you are pointing out is the here and now and right now we don't have open borders with Oz either. But how about thinking positive and if you can't quite get your head around the Samoa bit then what about the Cook Islands which enjoys free association with NZL and where NZL has responsibility for both foreign affairs and defence? Gerald … Johno was responding to Milts jibe as I did. Your point?
Gotta see the irony.Call to get NZ tourists back to Raro and Samoa so they don't default on their Chinese loans.
Click to access Pacific-Tourism-Sector-Status-report-Final.pdf
Noel … your 12.07 … mine was a serious post … yours, not sure how to describe it without offending you so I won't. I happen to care about the economies of our PI neighbors that we have a close association with. Clearly you don't. Instead you indulge in what you think constitutes witticism. Do you really think that Kiwis travel to Samoa and the Cooks to avoid defaulting on their Chinese loans? If you are one might be forgiven for wondering if you are starting to exhibit a certain AO induced paranoia.
Gerald … thank you. A very useful document and recommended reading. You will note the comment regarding an upsurge in tourists wanting to visit the Pacific Islands in preference to Oz where Covid-19 remains a problem.