Pacific priorities: Peters emphasises unity and security in US talks

Pacific issues have taken centre stage during meetings with United States military and political leaders in Honolulu.

Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters, New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, leads a cross-party delegation through Tonga, Hawaii, and Vanuatu.

The delegation met with Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green, US Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo, and other senior regional leaders and military officials.

Before boarding a flight to Vanuatu via Fiji, Peters told the media that the discussions in Honolulu provided “an important exchange of views” on economic, political, and security changes affecting the Indo-Pacific, a region he stresses as being of global strategic significance.

“Our Pacific links with the United States are more important than ever, and this visit to Hawai‘i has been an excellent opportunity to underline our shared Polynesian heritage and common strategic interests.”

He highlighted the need for an active and engaged US presence in the Pacific, which would allow New Zealand to represent wider regional interests.

“It’s a chance to put the concerns of the Pacific Island Forum countries - our eight countries are in a huge theatre, 31 per cent of the world’s surface, and it’s important to have this sort of dialogue.”

He says the conversations allow for in-depth discussions on the “inside of another country’s operations”.

“We're talking about the shared concerns and issues we have and plans for the future as a cross-party grouping of ministers, and it's been a very valuable conversation.

“Very informative for us and a chance to put our perspective to the American military as well.”

Foreign Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters boards a navy vessel in Honoulu. Photo/PMN Digital/Joseph Safiti

Visit to Pearl Harbor

The delegation also laid a wreath at the USS Arizona Memorial alongside US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Stephen Koehler, honouring those who lost their lives in the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

“It is important to remember those who gave their lives to create a free and open Indo-Pacific, especially in times such as these where the values which we fought for are being challenged,” Peters says.

Hawaii is the second stop on the New Zealand delegation’s Pacific tour, following an earlier visit to Tonga. His next and final stop is Vanuatu.

Watch Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters' message on military language in trade disputes during his visit to Tonga.