According to Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko, the PNG government is looking at increasing and boosting its fruit pickers quota in New Zealand from the current 100 to more than 1000. Under New Zealand's Labour Mobility Program, there are currently over 18,000 positions which PNG needs look into.
Mr Tkatchenko said that the Department of Labour, Immigration and Foreign Affairs are looking into the program and it is sure the quota will increase. He said: "We will also negotiate with the Victoria University to have diplomacy classes for our Foreign Affairs Department personnel that will greatly improve the standard and professionalism of our country's Foreign Service."
"Fifty positions have been made available for our Papua New Guineans to be trained as part of the Foreign Affairs Department. We want to roll that over five years to have about 250 young men and women from being taught in diplomacy at Victoria University and we are going to finalise that program during this official visit."
Source: postcourier.com.pg