The bilateral relations between Solomon Islands and New Zealand will continue to grow stronger, says Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in a recent media conference in Honiara.

The Prime Minister met with New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully last week, in which they discussed a number of developmental issues between the two countries.

Mr Sogavare said New Zealand is one of the very few countries that Solomon Islands had diplomatic relations with since independence, adding the relationship is growing stronger.

“New Zealand is one of the very few countries that we had diplomatic relationship right from the one day of our existence as a country in1978, and that relationship is now up to 37 years and is growing from strength to strength. I assured the Minister that Solomon Islands’relationship with New Zealand will continue to grow stronger and is demonstrated by the fact that we have established a Solomon IslandsEmbassy in Wellington, where the issues of mutual interest will be discussed.”

Meanwhile, New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said they are very appreciative of the commitment made by Solomon Islands in terms of establishing the Solomon Islands High Commission in New Zealand.

“So I just want to assure the Prime Minister and his colleagues that we’re very appreciative of the commitment that’s been made in terms of the establishment of the High Commission in New Zealand that we want to build on the excellent relationship that the Prime Minister has already described, one that goes right back to the foundation of this country and that as you see this important period of growth anddevelopment that we as your partners respond to it in a way that it’sgoing to meet the priorities that your government has set.”

SIBC News is aware, the two leaders have also discussed issues that will be on the agenda for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Port Moresby next month.

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About SIBC

SIBC is a public service broadcaster which facilitates educational programs, recording and promotion of local music and the unity of diverse cultures in a scattered island nation.

History

The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation was established by an Act of Parliament - The Broadcasting Ordinance 1976.
It was established to provide a high quality broadcasting service, by radio, of a wide range of programs for the information, education and entertainment of all people living in the sovereign borders of the Independent State of Solomon Islands.Radio broadcasting was established by US military forces in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate (BSIP) during World War Two. In 1944, the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) developed small, mediumwave stations at Lunga on Guadalcanal and Munda, New Georgia. These were designed to provide information and entertainment to the hundreds of thousands of US service personnel then based in the BSIP. The stations were part of the Mosquito Network, a loose network of similar AFRS stations stretching through the South-West Pacific, from Bougainville in the north to Auckland in the south, and including outlets in Espiritu Santo and Noumea.
As the Pacific war moved northwards, the AFRS stations closed and BSIP listeners returned to tuning to broadcast programmes from Australia or further afield for entertainment and information. In 1946, a rudimentary weekly half hour of news and service bulletins was established by the BSIP Administration. The service was transmitted from Honiara on regular inter-island radio frequencies using Government transmission equipment and soon developed a regular following.
By 1952, the broadcasts were on a much stronger footing and the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Service (SIBS), an arm of the Government, was established. In 1976, new legislation converted the SIBS into the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC), a totally independent public service broadcaster charged with providing national radio coverage and a full range of news, educational and entertainment services.
For more on the history of radio in Solomon Islands click here:
SIBC Stations

Location

SIBC's headquarters are located at Rove in Honiara, the capital city of the Solomon Islands.
Both Radio Happy Isles' and Wantok FM's studios are located at the headquarters.
Radio Happy Lagoon is located in Gizo, Western Province. It is currently broadcasting on FM after an earthquake damaged the AM infrastructure.
Radio Temotu is located in Lata in the Temotu Province. It is currently not broadcasting, but serves as an important communications link between the remote islands and the capital.