DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has continued his official five-day working visit to New Zealand with a full day in Rotorua, focusing on cultural exchange, livestock best practices, and rural development collaboration.
Rotorua, a city renowned for its geothermal activity and strong Māori cultural heritage, hosted Ahmad Zahid and his delegation as part of Malaysia’s effort to enhance bilateral ties in social and community development.
Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as Malaysia’s Minister of Rural and Regional Development, began the day attending a Māori Business Roundtable. The engagement aimed to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation with Māori leaders on matters of community upliftment and enterprise.
The Deputy Prime Minister and his entourage later visited the Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village to experience the living traditions of Māori culture, followed by a Geothermal Hāngi lunch — a traditional meal cooked using natural geothermal steam and heat.
Before departing Rotorua, Ahmad Zahid visited Onuku Farm, a sheep and dairy operation known for its sustainable agricultural methods. The visit offered insight into best practices in livestock management that could potentially be adapted to rural development initiatives in Malaysia.
His itinerary will continue in Wellington tomorrow, where he is scheduled to hold meetings with senior New Zealand government figures, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Law and Order David Seymour, Foreign Minister Winston Peters, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka, and Minister for Agriculture, Trade and Investment Todd McClay.
Ahmad Zahid is also set to lead Malaysia’s participation in the Halal Forum, jointly organised by the Halal Industry Development Council (MPIH) and New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries. The forum seeks to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the halal sector and food export initiatives.
A key highlight of the Wellington leg will be the witnessing of a document of understanding between Malaysia and New Zealand in the field of higher education, aimed at expanding opportunities for Malaysian-sponsored students in New Zealand institutions.
On Thursday, 17 July, the Deputy Prime Minister will pay a courtesy call on Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro and later attend a welcome ceremony with the Malaysian diaspora in Wellington, expected to draw over 250 attendees.
Ahmad Zahid is scheduled to conclude his visit and return to Kuala Lumpur on Friday, 18 July.- July 15, 2025
