By Ruci Farrell - ruci.farrell@pmn.co.nz
Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio says the Government's new focus in the region has gone down well with Pacific leaders.
The Pacific Mission delegation in Samoa. Photo/ Carmel Sepuloni.
Aupito William Sio, who travelled with the PM, says there is a definite shift in New Zealand's focus in the Pacific.
"New Zealand is firmly anchored in the Pacific and it was important to transform the relationship from a donor-aid recipient to a one of partnership," he says.
"I think the Pacific governments, the people of the Pacific countries that we visited, certainly felt something different."

Aupito William Sio with students at Tonga's GPS Fasi moe Afi. Photo/ Facebook.
READ MORE STORIES FROM THE PACIFIC MISSION:
Pension portability a step closer to reality
Pacific leading the way on climate change
$21 million extra funds to assist Tonga with cyclone recovery