Pacific Mission 2024: How my perspective on one of NZ's most polarising politicians has changed

The Pacific Mission was a chance for our new coalition government to assert their commitment to the Pacific, visiting Tonga, the Cook Islands and Samoa.

But as a young NZ-born journalist, I have a greater awareness of our country's domestic politics than I do of the Pacific region.

Now politics is something I’m still learning, so I knew when I went on this trip, my duty as a journo was to report on what people back home would want to know.

But halfway through our trip when I thought to myself, “man, Winston Peters is really loved over here”.

And given the recent news in Aotearoa lately, tensions have been at an all time high, particularly between Māori and the coalition government, due to a range of plans impacting our race relations.

So you could imagine my surprise when every leader, in every country, with a huge smile, said to Deputy Prime Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters: “Welcome home”.

And in response, Vaovasamanaia would often refer to “the thousands of years of history” between Aotearoa and the Pacific. In fact, that sentiment came up in every speech of his and I'm not going lie, I was quite confused.

That’s because this 70-something year-old politician, who’s been around Parliament before I was even born, has quite a polarising reputation in New Zealand compared to the revered figure I saw in the islands.

As I said to my mum, “this guy's being quite well received over here”, in contrast to the coverage of him being shouted down by activists at the Waitangi Day service.

Her response was: “I’ve always known him to do so much for the Pacific, especially when Nana and Grandpa arrived here. He’s always been good”, which was surprisingly new information to my 23-year-old ears.

And as I learnt more about New Zealand’s contribution to help these islands in priority areas like health, education, climate change and security - the more I felt a growing respect for the country I have lived in all my life - and the man behind much of that support.

I learnt of the Pacific Reset introduced in 2018, that Peters chaired, which was New Zealand's plan to assist the Pacific with the many challenges they face. This plan, along with many other projects Peters has overseen or supported during his long career as an MP.

So when I look at him now, though he’s an older politician with many controversial moments in his past - I now also see the politician my parents and grandparents, migrants from Niue, could count on.

And when I heard the people in each island express their extreme gratitude to Vaovasamanaia and New Zealand, it also made me reflect on what my people back in Niue go through everyday and how important New Zealand’s ongoing support has been to ensure they have better lives.