New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern in Singapore for 3-day visit

SINGAPORE — New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is in Singapore from Monday (April 18) to Wednesday for an official visit.

She is accompanied by her partner Clarke Gayford, New Zealand Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor and senior officials.

This is Ms Ardern’s second official visit to Singapore, following her first in May 2019. It is also her first official overseas visit since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a press statement on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said that Ms Ardern’s visit “reaffirms the excellent relations” between both countries, underpinned by the Singapore–New Zealand Enhanced Partnership, which was established during Ms Ardern’s first visit to Singapore.

During her visit this week, Ms Ardern will attend an official welcome ceremony at the Istana on Tuesday and call on President Halimah Yacob.

Following that, Ms Ardern will meet and hold a joint press conference with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Mr Lee will also host her to an official lunch.

Ms Ardern will have a new orchid hybrid named in her honour during her visit, said MFA in its statement.

Ms Ardern will visit Japan after her trip to Singapore.

In a statement last Monday, the New Zealand Government said that the visits aim to reconnect New Zealand with two of its closest Indo-Pacific economic and security partners.