The Minister for Policing, Hon. Ioane Naivalurua, this morning (31.07.25) met with the New Zealand Minister for Customs and Associate Minister for Police, Hon. Casey Costello, and her delegation in Suva to discuss key areas of cooperation between the two nations in the policing and security sectors.
Discussions centred on the growing threats of transnational crime and drug trafficking affecting Fiji, and reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries to work collaboratively to address these challenges.
Minister Naivalurua acknowledged New Zealand’s continued support through the Duavata Partnership and welcomed enhanced intelligence sharing, operational cooperation and capacity building initiatives.
Minister Costello reiterated New Zealand’s commitment to supporting Fiji in maintaining security and stability, particularly in the face of evolving and complex criminal threats.
The high-level New Zealand delegation accompanying Minister Costello included:
-Her Excellency Charlotte Darlow, High Commissioner of New Zealand to Fiji
-Alex Shahryar-Davies, Deputy High Commissioner
-Richard Ninness, Press Secretary, Minister Costello’s Office
-Joe Cannon, Deputy Chief Executive (International and Governance), New Zealand Customs Service
-Haydn Godinet, Pacific Liaison Officer, New Zealand Customs Service
-Steve Symon, Chair, Ministerial Advisory Group on Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime
-Beverley Palliser, Second Secretary
-Superintendent Glyn Rowland, Senior Liaison Officer (Pacific), New Zealand Police
-Inspector Joe Hunter, Team Leader, New Zealand Police
Accompanying Minister Naivalurua was the Permanent Secretary for Policing, Mr. Beranado Daveta, and senior officials from the Ministry of Policing.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to strengthen operational collaboration, enhance joint training programs, and maintain open lines of communication to ensure timely response to criminal threats in the region.