Articles tagged with Pacific Islands
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters to Attend Pacific Islands Forum Meeting in Fiji
2 weeks ago | 170 viewsForeign 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 cooperationEmpowering Pacific Women Parliamentarians to Strengthen Regional Cooperation
3 weeks ago | 201 viewsThe 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 governanceNew Zealand and Papua New Guinea Strengthen Defence Cooperation 2026-2029
1 month ago | 293 viewsNew 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 IntentForeign Minister Winston Peters to Strengthen Ties with Singapore and Japan Next Week
1 month ago | 434 viewsForeign 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 MinisterNew Zealand Boosts Funding to Support Pacific Fisheries and Tuna Innovation
1 month ago | 485 viewsNew 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 sustainabilityPalau President Surangel Whipps Jr. to Visit New Zealand for Historic Meeting
4 months ago | 671 viewsPrime 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 presidentAustralia-New Zealand ANZMIN 2+2 2026: Strengthening Defence, Pacific Partnership & Global Security
5 months ago | 1564 viewsOn 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 RussiaNew Zealand’s Commitment to Pacific Partnership and Media Connectivity at PCBL 10th Anniversary
5 months ago | 872 viewsThe 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 2027New Zealand Cuts Visitor Visa Costs for Pacific Nationals from June 2025
5 months ago | 1036 viewsForeign 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 NZeTANew Zealand Strengthens Pacific Partnerships at US Pacific Agenda Summit
6 months ago | 926 viewsCustoms 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 investmentNew Zealand and Germany Strengthen Partnership for Global Security and Prosperity
6 months ago | 964 viewsNew Zealand and Germany reaffirmed their strong partnership based on shared democratic values, commitment to international law, and multilateralism, emphasizing cooperation across strategic, economic, security, and cultural domains. They highlighted the importance of upholding the UN Charter, supporting regional stability in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, addressing climate change, and enhancing trade, innovation, and supply chain resilience. Both countries committed to deepening bilateral ties, promoting human rights, and maintaining close coordination on global challenges to ensure a stable, secure, and prosperous international environment.
Tags: New Zealand Germany United Nations NATO Pacific Islands Forum European Union Māori Moriori ASEAN UkraineNew Zealand and Palau Strengthen Partnership for Pacific Islands Forum and Ocean Protection
7 months ago | 957 viewsNew Zealand and Palau have agreed to strengthen their partnership as the next hosts of the Pacific Islands Forum, focusing on regional challenges like ocean health, fisheries management, and economic resilience. Foreign Minister Winston Peters emphasized the importance of unity among Pacific nations to address shared issues and announced New Zealand's continued support for Palau's Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner with NZ$1.1 million. The discussions also covered practical cooperation for Palau’s Forum hosting and highlighted New Zealand’s commitment to safeguarding the ocean, a vital resource for the region’s future.
Tags: Winston Peters Surangel Whipps Jr Gustav Aitaro Sakiasi Ditoka Baron Waqa New Zealand Palau Pacific Islands Forum Pacific Ocean Commissioner Pacific regionalismNew Zealand and Kiribati Strengthen Pacific Partnership with New Health and Security Initiatives
7 months ago | 1146 viewsNew Zealand and Kiribati have strengthened their Pacific partnership by signing a Statement of Partnership that formalizes cooperation in health, labour mobility, and security. During a meeting in Tarawa, they also announced New Zealand’s increased commitments to prevent non-communicable diseases, support maternal and child health, enhance labour mobility programs, and improve water security in Kiribati. This visit highlights New Zealand’s ongoing dedication to addressing Kiribati’s challenges and fostering regional cooperation within the Pacific Islands Forum.
Tags: Winston Peters Teuea Toatu Taneti Maamau New Zealand Kiribati Pacific Islands Forum Tarawa Pacific partnership Labour MobilityNZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters Visits Kiribati and Palau to Strengthen Pacific Ties
7 months ago | 1149 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters will visit Kiribati and Palau to strengthen New Zealand's relationships across the Pacific, marking his first visit to Kiribati since 2019 and completing visits to all 17 Pacific Island Forum member countries in a single term. New Zealand and Palau are collaborating closely on regional issues as both prepare to host the Pacific Islands Forum in upcoming years. The visits aim to enhance resilience, prosperity, and security in the Pacific while continuing engagement on key matters like marine resource management.
Tags: Winston Peters Kiribati Palau New Zealand Pacific Islands Forum Pacific Foreign Minister marine resource management regional issues Ministerial delegationNew Zealand and Australia Boost PACER Plus with $10M Support for Pacific Trade Growth
8 months ago | 824 viewsNew Zealand and Australia have committed $10 million over five years to support PACER Plus, aiming to enhance export capabilities, diversify trade, attract investment, and boost labor mobility in Pacific countries. This new investment, announced five years after the agreement took effect, underscores ongoing commitment to regional trade growth, economic integration, and prosperity. The PACER Plus Development and Economic Cooperation Work Programme facilitates implementation, harmonizes trade infrastructure, and maximizes business opportunities across member nations.
Tags: Nicola Grigg Scott Simpson New Zealand Australia PACER Plus Pacific Islands Solomon Islands Minister of State for Trade and Investment Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Pacific region