Articles tagged with Pacific Islands

Showing 15 of 26 articles

New Zealand Joins Pacific Islands Forum Troika, Leading Regional Progress to 2027

03 Sep 2026 | 5 days ago | 120 views

New Zealand has joined the Pacific Islands Forum Troika, taking on an expanded leadership role and preparing to host the Forum in Auckland in 2027. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters emphasized New Zealand’s commitment to advancing Pacific priorities such as economic prosperity, regional security, and resilience through close collaboration with Pacific partners. Additionally, New Zealand is strengthening regional ties, exemplified by the resumption of direct flights between Papua New Guinea and Auckland after 26 years, reflecting closer bilateral relations.

Tags: New Zealand Christopher Luxon Winston Peters Pacific Islands Forum Palau Solomon Islands Papua New Guinea James Marape Auckland Pacific region

US Commits $60M to Support Pacific Energy Crisis Amid Global Challenges

02 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 121 views

Foreign Minister Winston Peters welcomed the US decision to provide $60 million in energy support to the Pacific, addressing budget shortfalls caused by the global energy crisis. The Pacific Islands Forum and partners like New Zealand, Australia, Japan, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank have been actively working to help Pacific nations manage fuel dependency and price shocks. New Zealand’s development program focuses on boosting economic and energy resilience by promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency in the region.

Tags: Winston Peters Christopher Landau United States Pacific Islands Forum New Zealand Australia Japan World Bank Asian Development Bank Pacific Islands

US Commits $60M to Support Pacific Energy Amid Global Crisis, Says Winston Peters

02 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 119 views

Foreign Minister Winston Peters welcomed the United States' decision to provide US$60 million in energy support to the Pacific, addressing budget shortfalls caused by the global energy crisis. The Pacific Islands Forum and partners like New Zealand, Australia, Japan, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank have been collaborating to help Pacific Island countries manage fuel dependency and price shocks. New Zealand’s development program focuses on enhancing economic and energy resilience through renewable energy and improved efficiency to reduce reliance on imported fuels.

Tags: Winston Peters Christopher Landau United States Pacific Islands Forum New Zealand Australia Japan World Bank Asian Development Bank Pacific Islands

US, New Zealand, and Cook Islands Partner for Major Penrhyn Port Upgrade

01 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 138 views

The United States, Cook Islands, and New Zealand have announced a partnership to upgrade the port on Penrhyn island, with the US and New Zealand co-funding the project totaling approximately $60 million USD. This initiative aims to enhance safety, transport links, and economic opportunities for the northern Cook Islands and reflects strong regional cooperation and historic ties. The project will be implemented by New Zealand in close coordination with the Cook Islands and the US, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure development for the island's connectivity and prosperity.

Tags: Mark Brown Winston Peters Christopher Landau Cook Islands New Zealand United States Penrhyn Tongareva Pacific Islands Forum Congress

New Zealand and Pacific Leaders Unite in Historic Realm Meeting in Auckland

28 Aug 2026 | 1 week ago | 165 views

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met with the leaders of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau in Auckland for the first-ever Realm of New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting to discuss regional priorities and the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. Luxon emphasized the deep historical, cultural, and constitutional ties that bind these nations as part of the Realm of New Zealand. He also acknowledged Niue Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi for initiating and co-hosting the meeting, highlighting the unique but connected relationships within the Realm partnership.

Tags: Christopher Luxon Dalton Tagelagi Mark Brown Alapati Tavite Cook Islands Niue Tokelau Realm of New Zealand Pacific Islands Forum Auckland

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters to Attend Pacific Islands Forum Meeting in Fiji

05 Aug 2026 | 1 month ago | 269 views

Foreign Minister Winston Peters will attend the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting in Fiji on 7 August to discuss recent global impacts on the region and plan a common course for the Pacific. The meeting prepares for the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau in September, with New Zealand hosting the Forum next year to advance the Blue Pacific priorities and regional cooperation. While in Suva, Mr Peters will also engage in bilateral discussions with Pacific counterparts before returning to New Zealand on 7 August.

Tags: Winston Peters Pacific Islands Forum Fiji New Zealand Pacific Suva Palau Blue Pacific Foreign Ministers Meeting regional cooperation

Empowering Pacific Women Parliamentarians to Strengthen Regional Cooperation

28 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 339 views

The speech emphasizes New Zealand’s commitment to supporting Pacific parliamentary cooperation, democratic governance, and regional collaboration through face-to-face dialogue and shared values. It highlights the critical and challenging role of elected representatives, particularly women, in addressing regional issues like security and development, while encouraging increased female participation in politics. Finally, it underscores the significance of the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting and New Zealand’s role in chairing it, calling for inclusive input to advance shared Pacific priorities.

Tags: New Zealand Pacific Islands Forum Wellington Pacific cooperation women parliamentarians Pacific leaders Palau parliamentary cooperation regionalism democratic governance

New Zealand and Papua New Guinea Strengthen Defence Cooperation 2026-2029

22 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 461 views

New Zealand and Papua New Guinea have signed the Statement of Intent on Defence Cooperation 2026-2029 to enhance collaboration through increased defence dialogue, training, exercises, and personnel exchanges. This agreement builds on their existing partnership and reflects a shared commitment to addressing regional security challenges and strengthening economic ties. Additionally, New Zealand is actively supporting Pacific regional cooperation by promoting digital transformation and cybersecurity, highlighted by Defence Minister Chris Penk’s participation in the Pacific Islands Forum ICT Ministers Meeting.

Tags: Chris Penk Elias Kapavore New Zealand Papua New Guinea Pacific Islands Forum Defence Minister ICT Ministers Pacific region Defence Cooperation Statement of Intent

Foreign Minister Winston Peters to Strengthen Ties with Singapore and Japan Next Week

02 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 521 views

Foreign Minister Winston Peters will visit Singapore and Japan next week to strengthen New Zealand’s strategic partnerships and regional cooperation. In Singapore, he will engage with senior leaders to enhance collaboration under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discuss regional challenges, while in Japan, he will meet political and business leaders to promote trade, investment, and defense cooperation. These visits aim to deepen ties, support security, and boost economic relations with key partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

Tags: Winston Peters Balakrishnan New Zealand Singapore Japan ASEAN Pacific Islands Forum North Korea Japanese companies Foreign Minister

New Zealand Boosts Funding to Support Pacific Fisheries and Tuna Innovation

29 Jun 2026 | 2 months ago | 584 views

New Zealand is increasing funding and support to Pacific nations to enhance innovation, combat illegal fishing, and improve returns from tuna fisheries through the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the Pacific Islands Tuna Ventures programme (PITVP). The PITVP focuses on value-added opportunities, turning tuna by-products into high-value goods, thereby helping coastal communities benefit more fairly from their resources. Hosting the Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting for the first time in 18 years, New Zealand emphasizes regional cooperation to ensure sustainable fisheries management and food security.

Tags: New Zealand Winston Peters Shane Jones Pacific nations Forum Fisheries Agency Forum Fisheries Committee Pacific Islands Tuna Ventures tuna fisheries illegal fishing fisheries sustainability

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. to Visit New Zealand for Historic Meeting

13 Apr 2026 | 4 months ago | 782 views

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will meet Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. during his visit, marking the first visit to New Zealand by a Palauan president. The visit focuses on strengthening cooperation between New Zealand and Palau ahead of their respective Pacific Islands Forum hosting duties in 2024 and 2027. President Whipps will also engage with Cabinet Ministers, agencies, businesses, and iwi, and will be formally welcomed by Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro.

Tags: Christopher Luxon Surangel Whipps Jr. Palau New Zealand Pacific Islands Forum Cindy Kiro Auckland Rotorua Cabinet Ministers Palauan president

Australia-New Zealand ANZMIN 2+2 2026: Strengthening Defence, Pacific Partnership & Global Security

17 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 1696 views

On 17 March 2026, Australian and New Zealand Defence and Foreign Affairs Ministers held the third ANZMIN 2+2 consultations in Canberra, reaffirming their strong alliance and commitment to regional peace, security, and cooperation, particularly in the Pacific. They addressed global challenges including the Middle East conflict, climate change, transnational crime, and strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing adherence to international law and multilateralism. The ministers condemned acts of aggression and human rights violations worldwide, supported Pacific-led initiatives, and committed to deepening partnerships and coordinated responses to security, humanitarian, and economic issues.

Tags: Richard Marles Penny Wong Judith Collins Winston Peters Australia New Zealand ANZMIN Pacific Islands Forum Iran Russia

New Zealand’s Commitment to Pacific Partnership and Media Connectivity at PCBL 10th Anniversary

12 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 971 views

The speech celebrates the 10th anniversary of Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited (PCBL) and emphasizes New Zealand’s strong commitment to the Pacific region through partnership, democratic governance, and regional connectivity. It highlights New Zealand’s efforts in supporting infrastructure, digital transformation, media freedom, and people-to-people connections, including visa cost reductions to enhance travel and collaboration. Amid increasing geopolitical challenges, New Zealand reaffirms its principled support for Pacific sovereignty, regionalism, and the Pacific Way, aiming to foster unity and resilience ahead of hosting the Pacific Islands Forum in 2027.

Tags: Brent Impey Natasha Melesia New Zealand Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited Pacific Islands Forum Kiribati Pasifika TV Pacific Reset Pacific Way Pacific Islands Forum 2027

New Zealand Cuts Visitor Visa Costs for Pacific Nationals from June 2025

11 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 1144 views

Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced a reduction in visitor visa fees for Pacific nationals, lowering the cost from $216 to $161 for a 12-month visa starting 1 June, to promote easier and more affordable travel to New Zealand. This update complements previous improvements such as extended visa durations to two years with multiple entries, faster processing, and a visa-free trial for Pacific travelers from Australia, aiming to strengthen Pacific-New Zealand connections. The government will review the impact of these changes in a year, with further eligibility details to be confirmed soon.

Tags: Winston Peters Erica Stanford John Tulloch Michael van der Kwast Pacific people New Zealand Immigration New Zealand Pacific Islands Forum Australian visa NZeTA

New Zealand Strengthens Pacific Partnerships at US Pacific Agenda Summit

22 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1007 views

Customs Minister Casey Costello will attend the US-hosted Pacific Agenda Summit in Honolulu to strengthen partnerships supporting the Pacific’s long-term prosperity and resilience. The Summit aims to enhance economic connections, infrastructure, and investment by bringing together Pacific leaders, US officials, and private investors to reduce barriers and accelerate project readiness. New Zealand views this initiative as vital for regional cooperation and economic development, aligning with strategies like PACER Plus to foster sustainable growth and shared well-being in the Pacific.

Tags: Casey Costello New Zealand United States Pacific Islands Forum Pacific Agenda Summit PACER Plus Blue Pacific Continent United States Government Pacific leaders Pacific investment