Deputy Minister Olli visiting Australia and New Zealand

The visit begins in Wellington, New Zealand, where Deputy Minister Olli is meeting New Zealand's Minister of Justice, Minister Finlayson, Federation of Maori Authorities, and representatives of the indigenous community Ngāti Toa Rangatira. Deputy Minister Olli will participate in the celebration of New Zealand's National Day on 6 February, Waitangi Day, where she will meet the Minister of Maori Development, Te Ururoa Flavell.

In Canberra, Australia, the Deputy Minister will attend Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's speech on Closing the Gap, and will meet Assistant Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Alan Tudge. Deputy Minister Olli will have talks with representatives from state authorities, civil society, representatives from universities in Australia, as well as representatives from cultural life and private sector in Canberra, Sydney and Darwin.

The main purpose of the visit is to have conversations and exchange experiences on topics as language and culture, reconciliation, land rights and international work.

- Norway's bilateral relations with both Australia and New Zealand are solid, with close international co-operation, increasing business co-operation and strong people-to-people relations. I look forward to continuing the dialogue on policies concerning indigenous peoples and national minorities, which was discussed during Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway's state visit to Australia in 2015, says Deputy Minister Anne Karin Olli.

There will be an emphasis on promoting Norway's experiences from consultation processes. Deputy Minister Olli is invited to lecture on consultation mechanisms and the Sami Parliament at the Australian National University in Canberra and Charles Darwin University in Darwin during her stay.  

The Deputy Minister's visit is a follow-up to Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway's state visit to Australia in February 2015, where indigenous policies were part of the program.

Program (pdf)