Healing the planet: US taxpayers pay for a fossil-fueled delegation of 50 people to attend some junket in New Zealand

Address climate change, heavyweights urge meeting - National - NZ Herald News

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso swept into the Pacific summit in Auckland yesterday with the same message as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who swept out - address climate change.

He opened his purse to announce a $17 million Pacific fund for climate change-related projects.

The addition of international heavyweights to the forum is part of New Zealand's bid to lift the profile and muscle of the Pacific Islands Forum.

As well, a United States delegation of about 50, including Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides and Assistant Secretary of State for Asia and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell, arrived from Washington yesterday.