Reti, Peters champion Pacific education, diplomacy amid calls for reform, investment

Two senior Government ministers are justifying their recent international engagements, arguing they are delivering tangible benefits for both the Pacific and New Zealand.

Dr Shane Reti, the Minister for Universities and Pacific Peoples, describes his recent trip to the Conference of Pacific Education Ministers in Papua New Guinea as a vital opportunity to collaborate on shared regional challenges, especially workforce shortages.

Reti says on Pacific Mornings, “It was important for us to continue to affirm our commitment to education in the Pacific and to share and hear from learned experiences from all of the Pacific partners.”

During the trip, Reti announced New Zealand’s $1.5 million contribution to UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report.

He says the funding will help create more accurate and consistent education data across the region, which is essential for targeted policy-making and investment.

“You can set policy initiatives when you have the data,” Reti says.

“So this was a $1.5 million contribution to UNESCO for the Global Education Monitoring Report, which particularly for this contribution will bring forward and further improve the Pacific nations’ education data, entry into the system, progress through the system, those leaving the system - all that important stuff that helps you form policy under the UNESCO umbrella.”

Balancing Pacific aid and domestic outcomes

Reti countered claims that there is not enough investment in Pacific communities in New Zealand by highlighting Amanaki Enterprises in Palmerston North as a successful example of national investment.

Amanaki Enterprises assists high school students in pursuing tertiary education, particularly in STEM subjects.

Dr Shane Reti in PNG. Photo/MFAT

"It's a good, specific example of how we're focusing with that pivot towards an economic growth agenda, how we're focusing the education tools towards that agenda,” Reti says.

Pacific housing and Resource Management Act reform

Turning to home ownership, where Pacific rates are among the lowest in New Zealand, Reti acknowledges the grim statistics but says the government is taking action through systemic reforms and targeted support.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced recent Resource Management Act (RMZ) reforms, which aim to “reduce compliance and speed up building in a safe way,” which Reti believes will directly benefit Pacific communities.

He is also visiting Pacific-led housing initiatives across the country. “I’ve seen Porirua and South Auckland already, next I’m heading to Christchurch to see what’s happening there.”

MPP Minister Dr Shane Reti visits Penina Trust public housing site in Red Hill, Papakura, last year. Photo/Penina Trust

He adds that Pacific homeownership programmes are backed by wider support, including financial literacy and budgeting education.

“When we came into government, inflation was around seven per cent. It’s now down to two per cent, and that has a direct impact on interest rates and therefore mortgage affordability.”

Academic freedom and controversies

Reti also responded to the controversy sparked by the ACT Party’s opposition to compulsory university courses in subjects like Māori and Pacific studies, distancing the National Party from ACT’s critique.

“We support academic freedom and see this as an operational issue for Auckland University.”

Watch Dr Shane Reti's full interview below.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters, fresh off his trip to Washington, defended his diplomatic initiatives and recent State of the Nation speech, in which he declared a “war on woke”.

Speaking on Pacific Mornings, Peters dismissed allegations that his US visit lacked substance, mentioning meetings with key figures close to President Donald Trump.

“We’re both Pacific countries. Our job is to, wherever we are in the world, get as much out of our relationship as we possibly can and maximise it for our country's economic and social security.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters speaks to media in Washington. Photo/Supplied

“That's what it's about. And dare I say there are some commentators, they should just hold their counsel and keep their mouth shut until they know what's going on.

“The secret of international affairs, amongst other things, is less is more.”

Cook Islands, slogans, and strategy

Peters also addresses questions over his handling of the Cook Islands relationship and the criticism directed at Prime Minister Mark Brown.

Winston Peters meets with US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. Photo/Supplied

While he declined to comment on Brown’s leadership, he stressed the importance of meaningful consultation with Cook Islanders across the diaspora.

“Obviously, we are concerned to ensure that there will not be a Cook Islander in the diaspora of either the Cook Islands or in New Zealand or Australia that will be able to say, ‘but you didn't consult Mr Peters with us as a Cook Island people’.

“I'm going to make sure my constitutional responsibilities are met.”

Watch Winston Peters' full interview below.

Despite suggestions his “Make New Zealand First Again” slogan resembles Trump’s rhetoric, Peters stood firm. “It was my catch-cry in 1993 when we started New Zealand First. It’s still our catch-cry.”

The polls show New Zealand First is above the five per cent threshold. Peters is confident.

“It shows one thing: you can't be on 8.6 per cent unless you're going the right way. This is a great place to be, and my message to my political enemies is, well, I'm afraid New Zealand is going to take back control.”