On 22 March 2013 Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra attended the official welcoming ceremony in a Maori traditional style, which included a performance of Maori warriors, welcome speeches from Maori seniors and nose-touching greetings, at the Government House Pavilion, Auckland, followed by the review of honor guards. Then, PM Yingluck had a bilateral discussion with the Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Prime Minister Yingluck took the opportunity to reaffirm Thailand’s political stability and strong economic dynamism, and emphasized Thailand’s national development strategies which aim to increase the country’s potential and sustainable growth through investments in infrastructure development, such as water management project, high-speed train project, and connectivity with the neighboring countries. These investment projects would accommodate New Zealand’s trade and investment opportunities in Thailand, as well as expansion of Thai trade and investment in New Zealand. On the occasion of her visit, PM Yingluck was accompanied by the Thai business delegation of potential areas such as food, agricultural products, tourism, and science and technology, for their connection and cooperation with the New Zealand private sectors.

After the discussion, both Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of two agreements, which were draft joint declaration on Thailand-New Zealand education partnership and draft letter of intent on science and technology and innovation collaboration.

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