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The visit is to further enhance the trade relations between the two countries, said Abang Johari at a media conference at the Sarawak Tourism Board's office.

While in New Zealand, he noted the similarities of the cultures of the two countries, especially the cultural village of the Maoris and the Sarawak Cultural village (SCV).

He was confident that these similarities would form a basis for both countries to enhance their respective tourism products.

It was the similarities that prompted the New Zealand government to indicate their interest to come over and explore the possibility of establishing a relationship with us, he added.

The Sarawak delegation also had a meeting with the chancellor of Lincoln University who assured that the university would continue its training programme with local national park guides in Kuching.

The training would provide guides with in-depth knowledge on the state's rich flora and fauna and at the same time upgrade their guiding skills, he said.

"It also includes the emphasis on environmental quality maintenance, in other words, to maintain the quality of our national parks and the observation of proper signage and signs." The university was also requested to perform another review of Pantai Damai, he said.

The delegation also called on the Minister of Tourism, Defence & SOEs, Mark Button, Minister of Conservation, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs, Jim Anderton, the mayors of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch during its 9-day mission. It also met members of New Zealand-Malaysia Business Council and Chambers of Commerce besides the chancellors of Canterbury University and Christchurch Polytechnic.