Visiting the Philippines

My visit to the Philippines with other National MPs Gerry Brownlee, Mark Mitchell and Paulo Garcia (to the best of our knowledge, the world’s first Filipino MP in another country) was a whirlwind of Jeepneys (Filipino buses), Jollibee (a famous and delicious chain of crispy chicken restaurants), and people! Everywhere! Manila, where we were is the most densely populated city in the world with 43,000 people every square kilometre.

I leave convinced the Philippines is a relationship we must focus on and deepen. We are in the same neighbourhood, the Asia-Pacific, and so face some similar challenges. And our people links are growing and will continue to by the day. 

Like us, and even more so, the Philippines understands the power of natural disasters from being on the Ring of Fire. It suffers over 20 typhoons a year, as well as earthquakes, eruptions and more. We were there in the immediate aftermath of Taal, an eruption close to Manila that has tragically displaced tens of thousands of families. 

It is also in a political hotspot, bordering the likes of Japan, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The issues and tensions in the adjacent waters of the South China Sea continue and are important to us, given a significant portion of our trade moves through that area. The Philippines seeks similar goals to us: peaceful activity in accordance with the rule of law. They also navigate the waters of the world’s most significant relationship as we do, that between the United States and China. 

Economically, our trading relationship continues to grow with New Zealand supplying 40% of the Philippines’ dairy. One group we met with thanked us for feeding their children. This makes the Philippines our fifth largest market for dairy, albeit we will never supply all its needs, I think we can help with a significant challenge they have in making their farming more productive.

Nevertheless, the Philippines is amongst the fastest growing emerging economies, regularly seeing annual growth in excess of 6%. We were told one of its key advantages is a young, growing, English-speaking population. This is in stark contrast to many other western and Asian economies which face aging workforces and the associated demographic issues. 

Indeed, it’s the people to people links that define the Philippines-New Zealand relationship. In 2013 there were only 40,000 Filipinos in New Zealand whereas today it’s over 72,000, well over a percent of Kiwis. That’s remarkable growth and will only continue. 

I for one am pleased by that. Our Filipino Kiwis bring skills, hard work and their families to our nation, helping make our hospitals, building sites, farms and ICT businesses stronger and enhancing our communities from Northland to Central Auckland to Invercargill. 

Speaking of people, it was inspiring to meet some remarkable Filipinos. Cardinal Luis Tagle is sometimes called the ‘Asian Francis’ and we could see why. His humility and intellect were so clear as we discussed the Catholic Church and solutions to poverty in the Philippines. We also met with the charismatic Mayor of Manila Francisco Moreno Domagoso, one of the world’s greatest boxers and now Senator Manny Pacquiao (who wants to bring his family to visit New Zealand one day), and many other prominent Senators and Cabinet Ministers. 

We understand that our National visit was the first (and perhaps only) exclusively bilateral visit from New Zealand to the Philippines in a very long time. If I am Prime Minister at the end of this year people will grow used to them and I will visit again in the next term of office. We are neighbours, economic partners but first and foremost defined by our special personal relationships. “Kiwinoys” as some call Filipino Kiwis are an important part of our shared futures.