Peters heading back to the Pacific

While a tour to the Pacific this week will be his fourth, Deputy Prime Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters’ visit to the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and Palau is the first by a New Zealand government official.

The trip coincides with the Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Fiji which Peters will attend.

“The Pacific is a major focus of New Zealand’s foreign policy, and it is important that we get out into the region and spend time with all members of the Pacific family,” Peters said

Peters has visited 14 of the 17 members of the Pacific Islands Forum this year with Thursday’s tour his fifth mission to the region.

PMN Political Reporter Ala Vailala speaks with New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters in Port Vila during his Pacific tour in May.

His first Pacific mission was in December to Fiji then in February to Tonga, Cook Islands and Sāmoa followed by a trip to Tuvalu and Melanesia in May - the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu.

Peters visited Nauru, Solomons and Niue last month and this week reaffirms his focus on the Pacific.

“As one of its founding members, New Zealand is firmly committed to the Forum as our region’s pre-eminent political entity and principal platform for advancing the Pacific’s priorities and for tackling regional problems,” he said.

Following the meeting in Fiji, Peters heads to Micronesia where there are no New Zealand missions.

The visit will also see celebrations to commemorate 30 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Palau.

“Every member of the Pacific family matters to New Zealand, and this is an opportunity to exchange perspectives with the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Palau on key regional issues to deepen our understanding of their priorities.

“New Zealand is committed to strengthening our Micronesian relationships, and this visit is a visible demonstration of that.”

Micronesia continues to face challenges with climate change at its forefront with many island nations hit with extreme drought earlier this year.

Peters’ cross-party delegation includes chair of the Labour Pacific Caucus, Jenny Salesa; chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee (FADTC), Tim van de Molen; and FADTC member and Green MP, Teanau Tuiono.

The group leaves on Thursday and returns next week.