Peters to launch central NZ–France energy project in Vanuatu during Pacific tour

Deputy Prime Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters will unveil a significant renewable energy project in Vanuatu, co-funded by New Zealand and France.

The project, which aims to help reduce the country’s fuel import bills, will be launched during a tour of the Pacific by a high-level delegation .

Speaking to PMN News, Peters says, “Vanuatu is also very important. We're going to launch a combined project between France and ourselves to help the people of Vanuatu. It's really big.”

The trip, from 10-17 April, also includes visits to Tonga and Hawaii, an island state of the United States, which Peters says is a very important connection.

Peters was scheduled to visit New Caledonia, but that leg has been dropped due to time constraints and the political unrest in the French Pacific territory.

“The Tonga connection is very, very important. The Prime Minister has recently changed, and so has the Foreign Minister.

“We've also got Honolulu, Hawaii. That's a very, very important connection. That's the most eastern direction of our DNA, so to speak.”

In a statement, Peters reaffirms New Zealand’s commitment to the Pacific.

“The Pacific is grappling with a complex, challenging geostrategic and economic environment, and New Zealand is committed to doing its part to help.

“It is incumbent on us to regularly spend quality time in the Pacific to renew relationships and ensure that we are working with our partners towards mutually-beneficial cooperation. The upcoming Pacific tour is part of this ongoing process.”

Winston Peters with former Vanuatu Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai. Photo/Supplied

Peters’ delegation includes:

• Dr Shane Reti, Minister for Pacific Peoples and Minister for Universities

• Simon Watts, Minister for Climate Change and Energy

• Nicole McKee, Minister for Courts

• Carmel Sepuloni, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Vice Chair of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Executive Committee

• Tim van de Molen, Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee

• Teanau Tuiono, Assistant Speaker, Green Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, and Co-Chair of the NZ-Pacific Interparliamentary Friendship Group

• Jenny Salesa, Co-Chair of the NZ-Pacific Interparliamentary Friendship Group

• Andy Foster, Chair of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee

The spouses of MPs will also travel with the delegation, which departs New Zealand on Thursday. The group returns to New Zealand on 17 April.

Listen to Vanuatu's Special Envoy on Climate, Ralph Regenvanu's interview below.