New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has warned that the Pacific faces growing geopolitical pressures and transnational challenges.
“The region is navigating sharper great power competition alongside climate and transnational risks that do not respect borders.”
“In these difficult times, regionalism is essential.”
Speaking at the 10th anniversary of Pasifika TV broadcasting across the Pacific event in Auckland Thursday, Peters said Pacific leaders have consistently called for cooperation and respect for sovereignty.
“Pacific leaders are clear: they seek cooperation, stability, and sovereignty — not division.”
The regional framework guiding cooperation remains the strategy adopted by the Pacific Islands Forum.
“The Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent remains our shared framework for long-term resilience, security, and prosperity.”
Peters added that values and unity would help protect the region from external pressures.
“In an increasingly contested world, values matter,” said Peters.
“Our collective approaches and our regional architecture, like the Pacific Islands Forum, help guard against the ability of big, powerful countries to divide us.” Peters said Pacific diplomacy has long been guided by cooperation and dialogue.
“Consensus, respect, and dialogue have defined Pacific diplomacy since the early years of regionalism – they are The Pacific Way.”
“The Pacific Way guides us to engage constructively, to listen carefully, and to move forward collectively even when the issues before us are challenging,” he said.
Peters also reflected on the Pacific’s long history of unity and navigation.
“The Pacific has a long tradition of navigating vast oceans with courage, vision, and unity.”
“New Zealand is committed to continue working within the Pacific family of nations—listening first, aligning second, and delivering always.”
The Foreign minister also announced a reduction in visitor visa costs for Pacific nationals travelling to New Zealand.
“The Government is backing up these words with action.”
“I’m pleased to announce that from the 1st of June this year, we are decreasing the total cost of applying for a visitor visa for Pacific nationals from $216(US$161) to just $161(US$95), for a 12-month period.”
He said the change would make travel easier and strengthen ties across the region.
“This is another practical update to visitor visa settings that reduces cost, supports easier travel, and helps to strengthen the relationships that matter most,” said Peters.
Peters said the Pacific region remains a core pillar of New Zealand’s foreign policy because of deep cultural and historical ties.
“We have spoken throughout this term about the importance New Zealand places on our region, the Pacific. This region is a core pillar of New Zealand’s foreign policy.”
“Why? Because New Zealand is a Pacific country – we share history, geography, DNA, culture, sports, and religion.”
He noted the strong Pasifika presence in New Zealand’s population.
“Around one in four New Zealanders have Māori or Pasifika heritage. These connections shape our worldview and the responsibilities we accept as a member of the Pacific family.”
Peters also highlighted the two-way exchange between New Zealand and Pacific nations through business, tourism, churches and sports.
“This two-way, reciprocal exchange is essential.”
The minister said New Zealand had reinforced its commitment to Pacific engagement through visits and partnerships with regional leaders.
“The Pacific Reset reinforces that our identity, our security and our prosperity are inextricably linked with the Pacific.”
He said New Zealand leaders had travelled extensively across the region to listen to Pacific partners.
“Our travel has reaffirmed a simple but enduring truth: in the Pacific, there is no substitute for ‘talanoa’, having face-to-face engagement, listening carefully, and strengthening the bonds shaped by the challenges we face and our shared region and history.”
Peters revealed that the government had now visited every member state of the regional bloc.
“During the current Parliamentary term, we have now visited all 17 fellow Pacific Islands Forum member states, demonstrating New Zealand’s steadfast dedication to regional partnership.”
Among those visits was a recent trip to Kiribati where New Zealand signed a new partnership agreement.
He highlighted the new Betio Hospital project in South Tarawa as an example of cooperation.
“It is a high-quality, fit for purpose facility, built on a strong partnership between the Governments of New Zealand and Kiribati, with support from Japan and the Asian Development Bank.”
“It stands as a symbol of the impact we can have by working together to support Pacific development,” he said.
