In April 2006, Minister of Defence Phil Goff visited Honiara.  During his 24 hours on the ground he visited and spoke with various groups, the media and members of Solomon's government.

24 hour visit

Defence Minister Phil Goff arrived in Honiara assuring Solomon Islands of New Zealand's ongoing commitment to RAMSI.

Mr Goff landed in Honiara on Thursday April 27 via RNZAF C130 Hercules.  Mr Goff was accompanied by NZ First MP, Ron Mark and Deborah Panckhurst from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for a 24 hour visit during which he meet RAMSI officials, NZ military personnel and government officials.

Met by the  Brian Sanders, NZ High Commissioner at Honiara International Airport, Mr Goff spoke to journalist and said his visit is to show NZ's commitment to SI and RAMSI despite the recent unrest.

"The future of this nation is not about what we the regional countries can do, but it's about what the partnership can achieve," he said.

Accompanied by Mr Sanders and other NZ officials, Mr Goff paid visit to the razed buildings  of Pacific Casino and Chinatown before visiting NZ troops located  at RAMSI Headquarters and Rove Prison. 

Later in the day he went on a patrol with the NZ soldiers from 2/1 Bat and in the evening shared a BBQ dinner at 'kiwi lines' at Rove Prison.

The next day Mr Goff held talks with SI government officials and met with local media. Key points were stress, "NZ needs to be assured that the country will uphold the rule of law,  have good governance and economic development," he said.

Mr Goff congratulated the RAMSI effort to scale down the unrest adding that NZ is committed to that mission in its ongoing effort to bring back law and order, stability and economic development.