Interview with Mr. Paulo Garcia, New Zealand Member of Parliament

Malacañan Palace
April 18, 2024
“Southeast Asia ang visit namin, so nanggaling na kaming Singapore, Bangkok, tapos ito ‘yung last, ito ‘yung pinakamahaba… Exciting kasi ‘yung aming Prime Minister na si Christopher Luxon, sobrang determined na lumakas yung engagement between Philippines and New Zealand. Marami siyang dala na malakas at tunay at magagaling na businessmen at mama-match natin ito sa mga Pilipino na businessmen para lumakas ang ating relationship, business relationship,” says Mr. Paulo Garcia - the first New Zealand Member of Parliament of Filipino descent - who is joining New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s delegation on his Official Visit to the Philippines.
In an interview with RTVM, Mr. Garcia articulates Prime Minister Luxon’s interest in deepening New Zealand’s cooperation with the Philippines, recognizing it as one of the fastest growing economies in Asia. “Ang tingin ng New Zealand ang bilis ng galaw ng Philippines, lumalaki siya, fastest growing economy, kitang-kita sa amin, tapos ‘yung workforce na 24 years old… We are a young workforce so bilib ang New Zealand sa takbo ng Philippines, so kaya gusto niyang mag-ugnay, makipag-ugnayan para sabay, sumabay sa progreso ng bawat bansa,” he expresses.
He also shares brief highlights of the Prime Minister’s bilateral meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., wherein both leaders discussed shared concerns and other areas for further cooperation, particularly in promoting people-to-people exchanges. He underscores Prime Minister Luxon’s high regard and deep appreciation for the contributions of the Filipino community in New Zealand and expresses the Leader’s interest in facilitating the mobility of Filipinos in and out of the country.
“Isang dahilan ‘yun kung bakit ako nandito, ako’y nandito bilang MP dahil nakasakay ako sa likod ng paghihirap ng trabaho ng mga Pilipino, ang gagaling. Sa dairy industry, sa healthcare, ‘yung mga nurses natin, nursing aides sa mga retirement villages, ang lakas ng trabaho, ang ganda ng pangalan, kaya gusto ng bansang New Zealand na lumaki pa at alagaan ang Filipino community sa New Zealand, so maganda ang future para sa mga Pilipino, gumaganda pa lalo,” he adds.
A native of San Juan City, Mr. Garcia is a lawyer by profession, having practiced commercial law in the Philippines for 10 years before migrating to New Zealand.
He formerly served as the Honorary Consul General of the Philippines in New Zealand.
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