NZ defends 'independent' Pacific diplomacy

As geopolitical tensions ripple across the Pacific, New Zealand is finding itself walking a diplomatic tightrope.

Deputy Prime Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters has spent much of the year in the Pacific, and he emphasises the importance of strong ties amid growing geopolitical competition.

In his final interview of the year on Pacific Mornings, Peters reflects on the challenges of maintaining New Zealand’s independent foreign policy while navigating the growing influence of China and the United States in the region.

“It’s a tightrope because we have respectful relations with both countries, China and the United States.

“And we do have, as we keep on stressing, an independent foreign policy.

“We make our decisions based on what's good for New Zealand, not what's good for China, not what's good for the United States.

“We are proud of this independent foreign policy, and it's been frequently misunderstood by so many former leaders or former politicians.

Winston Peters in the Marshall Islands in August. Photo/Ala Vailala

“And my response to them is, when was the last time you got a briefing about any serious issue here?”

Walking the tightrope

Peters acknowledges the “other distracting features” which influence Pacific nations and stresses the need for ongoing engagement to counterbalance external pressures.

“It's always been a work in progress, but I think we can say it's strong.

“[We’ve visited most of] the Pacific Islands Forum [member countries]... we've only got Kiribati to go.

“We've got to keep on working at it because there's other distracting features for the Pacific Islands countries.

“And this influence is pulling them every which way, so to speak.

Watch Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters' full interview below.

“You know how difficult it is in local populations and they only sometimes get half of the story in the same waythat sometimes New Zealanders only get half the story…it's a work in progress.

“New Zealand has a serious reputation for being a great neighbour [to the Pacific] and we need to continue that because the Pacific is our neighbourhood.”

Local actions reflect regional commitments

At home, Dr Shane Reti, Minister for Pacific Peoples and Health, has been working to address the needs of New Zealand’s Pacific communities.

In his final interview on Pacific Mornings, Reti points to initiatives like the Pacific Healthy Homes programme, which expands eligibility to include older Pacific people, ensuring healthier living conditions for vulnerable families in areas like South Auckland and Porirua.

“What I've learned is Pacific people are gracious and humble and that they are less likely, compared to mainstream, for example, to stand on the mountain and shout their needs.

“The needs Pacific peoples have can be extracted and thoughtful, patient and hopeful interventions are very successful in the hands of Pacific peoples.

Reti and Peters in Vanuatu in May with President Nikenike Vurobaravu. Photo/Ala Vailala

“Some of this I knew, but that's been reaffirmed by the closeness and the privilege I've had of getting close to communities.”

Reti’s work in health and housing aligns with New Zealand’s broader commitments to the Pacific region.

He describes his visits to countries like Tonga, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, and the Cook Islands alongside Winston Peters as an opportunity to understand the shared challenges between New Zealand’s domestic Pacific communities and their counterparts across the region.

For now, both ministers are looking forward to a break over the Christmas period.

Watch Dr Shane Reti's full interview below.

“The plan is to be amongst my electorate in Whangarei, keeping an eye on the roads, keeping an eye on the coast, keeping an eye on people that they're safe, that they're able to pursue their Christmas and New Year ambitions, as we do in the North enjoy the sunshine on our back,” Reti says.

Meanwhile, Peters says he plans to do everything he has been unable to do this year or for the last few years, such as painting and the like.

“Hopefully, I will get some time doing all the things that I used to do as a boy: floundering, fishing, netting, and all those sorts of things.

“And because I'm an adult now, I'm fencing myself as a bit of a cook - a whole lot of recipes are set to go involving fish.”