The Tai a Kiwa: Stronger Pacific Parliaments programme is an initiative of the New Zealand Parliament’s Office of the Clerk. The programme aims to enhance the capacity and capability of MPs and staff, foster inter-parliamentary relations in the Pacific region, and promote the role and function of parliaments to encourage greater public understanding and engagement.
A key component of this programme is the Tāhuna a Tara: Pacific Speakers, Presiding Officers, and Clerks Conference, which brings together parliamentary leaders from across the Pacific region.
This year’s Conference was held from 27-29 November 2024, focusing on the theme Niu beginnings and navigating the waves: Embracing change and adapting to a changing environment.
The Conference was attended by Speakers and Presiding Officers from Nauru, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu as well as from the legislatures of Bougainville, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Niue.
The Conference highlighted the importance of adapting to change and embracing new beginnings, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and upcoming elections in several Pacific nations. It provided a valuable platform for sharing experiences, discussing challenges, and exploring innovative solutions to enhance parliamentary practices.
