Leaving tonight on a week-long trip to New Zealand and Australia. These two Commonwealth countries are old and close friends of Singapore. It has been 6 years since my last visits to Wellington and Canberra. Look forward to meeting many new and old friends there.
Both PM John Key and Governor-General Jerry Mateparae of NZ have lived in Singapore – PM Key while working for a bank, and Governor-General Mateparae while serving in the NZ armed forces. I will be calling on them in Wellington, and also visiting RSS Stalwart, an RSN frigate taking part in an exercise there.
In Australia I will be meeting PM Julia Gillard again following her visit here in April, as well as political and business leaders. I am also visiting our servicemen on Exercise Wallaby at Shoalwater Bay.
I also look forward to meeting some of the many Singaporeans living in Australia (in Melbourne) and in NZ (in Auckland). I was happy to get an email yesterday from one Singaporean living in Auckland. Jackson Li wrote:
“Dear Mr Lee,
Welcome to New Zealand.
Just to let you know that the Security of Auckland Airport Forecourts, Taxi Ranks and VIP parking spaces is headed by a team headed by a Singaporean - i.e. me :-)”
Jackson will be on duty when I fly from Auckland to Wellington. Hope to see him at the airport on Monday!
Will share more updates during the trip. - LHL
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