WELLINGTON, July 2 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand and Solomon Islands are boosting their cooperation in tourism and trade, a New Zealand government statement said on Tuesday.

New Zealand is working on enhanced cooperation with Solomon Islands in aviation, connectivity, security, economic development, disaster response and resilience, labor mobility and strategic infrastructure, New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said during his visit to the Pacific island country.

While in Solomon Islands, the New Zealand delegation met with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and other political leaders to discuss shared development priorities and regional challenges, the statement said.

Peters also attended an event to hand over the upgraded Seghe Airfield, a project co-funded by the governments of New Zealand, Australia and Solomon Islands, and signed a refreshed air services agreement.

"The enhanced Air Services Agreement will improve the freedom of air services on routes between New Zealand and Solomon Islands," it said, adding it will benefit tourism and business travel, allowing for easier travel for seasonal workers and offering better trade potential.

Solomon Islands is the first leg of the New Zealand delegation's Pacific tour this week, to be followed by Nauru and Niue. Enditem

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