New Zealand GG arrives on state visit

NEW Zealand Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand and wife Lady Susan Satyanand arrived in Port Moresby yesterday afternoon for a state visit.
This is the first state visit by a New Zealand Governor-General to PNG in more than 20 years.
Acting Prime Minister Sir Puka Temu, PNGDF commander Commodore Peter Ilau and senior bureaucrats greeted Sir Anand at Jackson International Airport on arrival.
He was accorded a full military guard of honour with musical accompaniment from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary marching band.
After inspecting the guard of honour, he was whisked away in a convoy to his hotel in downtown Port Moresby.
Later, at 4pm, he had an audience with his PNG counterpart, Sir Paulias Matane.
Sir Paulias also hosted a state dinner at the Crowne Plaza in his honour last night.
This morning, Sir Anand will visit the Bomana War Cemetery for a wreath-laying ceremony.
After lunch, he will visit Anglicare StopAIDS facility at North Waigani to present some funds.
Tomorrow, he will travel to Goroka, Eastern Highlands province and on Thursday to Rabaul, East New Britain.
It is envisaged that the visit will strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries, the New Zealand High Commission in Port Moresby said.
New Zealand’s total bilateral assistance to PNG is expected to rise to NZ$30 million next year from NZ$22.5 million.