As President Gloria Arroyo's two-day state visit to New Zealand draws to a close, it yields positive results, primary of which is New Zealand's need for more skilled Filipino workers. This was revealed by New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark during a joint press conference with President Arroyo. PM Clark said that her government wanted to have increased diplomatic and trade ties with the Philippines because our country is New Zealand's 12th biggest market.

"We are short of skilled workers here, so we appreciate an increased flow of people to our country," said Clark. "But perhaps the greatest contributor to closer ties has been the growth of the Filipino community in New Zealand-now over 20,000 people. In my experience, they are hardworking and friendly, and they are proud ambassadors for their country," she added further.

President Arroyo was proud to be the first Philippine President to visit New Zealand in over a decade. Her conference with Prime Minister Clark and the succeeding meeting highlighted the group effort on environmental management, human rights, indigenous peoples’ welfare, good governance and the great potential of bilateral commerce. "And in broader geo-political relations where New Zealand plays a major role, East Asia has been on a determined journey of consolidation since last year. As chair of Asean, I have witnessed the warming of ties between Asean, China and Japan within the context of common prosperity and collective security," said President Arroyo.