Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte welcomed the Ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines, Her Excellency Dr. Catherine McIntosh, during a courtesy meeting in Davao City on October 26.
Ambassador McIntosh is in the city on an official visit to attend the first Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Trade Expo (MIPTEX), scheduled for October 26 to 30, 2026, at Poblacion Market Central. The expo is organized by the Government of New Zealand in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to advance the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement (IPETCA).
The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Davao City and New Zealand to strengthen cooperation in sustainable agriculture, education, economic development, and Indigenous entrepreneurship.
The City Government also recognized New Zealand's continued support, particularly through the Bahayahay Learning and Workshop Center for Indigenous Women, established in 2024 in Barangay Pandaitan, Paquibato District. The project was funded through New Zealand Aid in partnership with the City Government of Davao's Peace 911 and the local Indigenous community. The facility supports traditional crafts training for Ata women while promoting cultural preservation and economic empowerment.
Source: Office of Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte