The freshly laid runway at Seghe airfield, a 35-minute flight northwest of Honiara, is the latest development aid in a country on the frontline in a war of affection between Beijing and the West.
The airport is in the country's western region, home to the world's largest lagoon among an incredibly picturesque stretch of islands.
Until the tarmac was laid, only twin otter planes were able to land on the grass airstrip, which was unusable during the frequent heavy rains.
On Tuesday, New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele landed in a Dash 8 Solomon Airlines flight.
They arrived to a warrior welcome and performances from the hundreds of locals who gathered for the occasion.
Speaking in pidgin and English, Australia's High Commissioner in Honiara Rod Hilton said he hoped such developments "makes us very happy to be number one partner, number one friend and number one family of Solomon Islands" and of Seghe.
During his speech, Mr Manele described the airport as an "independence day gift" from "unwavering supporters" and a "contribution that has left a lasting friendship".
Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele (left) and NZ deputy leader Winston Peters travelled to Seghe. (Ben McKay/AAP PHOTOS)
Asked by AAP in Seghe whether he viewed Australia in the same terms as the High Commissioner hoped Solomon Islands viewed Australia, Mr Manele was less effusive.
"Australia, Solomon Islands and New Zealand, we are part of the forum family, the Pacific Islands Forum family," he said.
"Geography has put us in this situation, whether we like it or not."
Mr Manele's bluntness is a reminder of his willingness to play both sides of the geopolitical game to develop his country.
The 55-year-old was foreign minister under Manasseh Sogavare when Solomon Islands switched its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing in 2019.
Solomon Islands is categorised by the United Nations as a "least developed country", one of just three in the region with Kiribati and Timor-Leste.
Mr Manele's stop in Seghe followed a visit to Australia and comes ahead of a trip to China. (Ben McKay/AAP PHOTOS)
Mr Manele hopes to "graduate" the nation in 2027, joining Samoa and Vanuatu which have already done so in the Pacific.
His engagement with the visiting New Zealand delegation is sandwiched between a visit to Australia last week and travel to China next Monday.
The new prime minister, elected after power-sharing talks that followed the April election, will be courted by Xi Jinping's administration on a week-long trip.
Across Honiara, there are signs of Chinese support - none larger than the national stadium, which played host to the Pacific Games earlier in 2024.
The cost to China was reportedly $500 million and will cost the cash-strapped government $14 million to maintain for the year.
Seghe is a 35-minute flight northwest of the Solomons capital Honiara in the nation's western region (Ben McKay/AAP PHOTOS)
Both Australia and New Zealand hope their Seghe airfield investment, of around $A23 million each, can unlock tourism and development sorely needed.
"The aviation connection, it's crucial to the Solomon Islands," Mr Peters said.
"Australia is an integral partner in our Pacific world, and working with them and working with others means that our money goes a whole lot faster, doing work far more quickly, and filling the needs of the Pacific in our neighbourhood.
"We're also going to be making future plans as to how we can help them better utilise and gain real wealth and employment from their fishing resources.
"These are exciting developments."
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia would listen to Solomon Islands requests for where development assistance would go.
"Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manele has made it clear economic growth, job creation and infrastructure development were his government's number one priority," she said.
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