Peters talks of NZ “renewing its connections with the world” – but who knew we had been disconnected?

Buzz from the Beehive

The thrust of the country’s foreign affairs policy and its relationship with the United States have been addressed in four statements from the Beehive over the past 24 hours.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters somewhat curiously spoke of New Zealand “renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges” by pursuing “an active, energetic foreign policy”.

This suggests those connections had been severed during the term of the previous government.

A key objective for Peters has been to forge “an ever-closer partnership” with the United States.

 The two countries have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests.

Or rather, Winston Peters and US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken have made the commitment on behalf of their respective governments.

“The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more challenging now than even a decade ago and demands that we work together more urgently and concertedly,” Mr Peters says.

Peters met Blinken released a joint declaration which sets out the principles and priorities underpinning the strategic partnership between the two countries.

“As we face a range of common challenges, globally and in the Indo-Pacific region, it’s more important than ever that New Zealand and the United States find common cause in defence of shared values and interests,” Mr Peters says.

“New Zealand also wishes to advance its trade and economic relationship with the United States.”

Peters and Blinken also discussed priority foreign policy issues, including Gaza and Ukraine, and the role of New Zealand and the United States in responding to both conflicts.

“We discussed how the United States continues to play a crucial and urgent role in Gaza as it works to try to help end the suffering there by facilitating an immediate ceasefire,” Mr Peters says.

“On Ukraine, we noted the importance New Zealand attaches to Ukraine being provided with the military support it needs to combat Russia’s war of aggression.”

Peters said New Zealand and the United States are two of the world’s oldest, longest-running, continuous democracies and their strategic partnership is underpinned by broad, bipartisan support in both countries.

“That is why New Zealand engages with a wide range of Americans from right across the political divide about how our strategic partnership can evolve and thrive in the years ahead for the mutual benefit of the New Zealand and American people.”

The joint Declaration can be found here.

Peters returns to New Zealand this weekend.

Fair to say, when Nanaia Mahuta met Blinken as our Minister of Foreign Affairs in July last year, she said much the same thing.

“The United States is one of New Zealand’s closest friends and a hugely important partner,” Nanaia Mahuta said.

“Our countries are bound closely by our shared values and interests, including our commitment to democracy, addressing climate change, the international rules-based system, human rights, and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“The meeting with Secretary Blinken was a chance to reaffirm our close partnership, discuss many of our common interests and identify areas we can further strengthen our cooperation.”

Mahuta and Blinken discussed US economic engagement in the region, working together on Antarctica and New Zealand’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

Also high on the agenda then was the respective countries’ interest in security in the Indo-Pacific and work to support a peaceful, safe, prosperous, and resilient Pacific region.

Winston Peters’ flow of statements over the past 24 hours included a copy of the Joint US and NZ declaration which he and Blinken signed.

 Another statement announces funding of $16.4  million for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research as an expression of further practical Pacific cooperation by NZ and the US.

New Zealand will join the United States in financially supporting two projects:

• $8.2 million (US$5m) to support digital connectivity in Tuvalu, through the Pacific Connect Cable; and
• $8.2 million (US$5m) to support the construction of an oceans and fisheries research vessel for the Pacific Community.

“New Zealand welcomes our cooperation with the United States in the Pacific including as members of the Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP),” Mr Peters says.

“Through the PBP, the United States and New Zealand have championed initiatives that can help deliver on the issues that matter most to the Pacific Islands region.”

The first of the statements referenced in this article was posted by Peters at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.

During his travels, Peters held official talks with Foreign Ministers from Belgium, Egypt, the European Union, Netherlands, Poland, South Korea, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the leadership of the United Nations, NATO and the Arab League.

He said:

“We cannot afford to sit back in splendid isolation in the South Pacific, pontificate smugly, and talk exclusively to those countries we agree with. It is critical that we show up, listen to all perspectives, and enhance partnerships with our traditional friends, so that we can adapt to the complex global environment and protect and advance New Zealand’s security and prosperity.

“New Zealand needs to engage with our international partners, listen carefully, make sound judgments about our national interest, and contribute credibly. That is precisely what we are doing, at the same time as urgently addressing the issues that matter to New Zealanders at home,” Mr Peters says.

“It is the New Zealand Government’s job to engage with the world as it is, not as we wish it to be, and to understand how other nations view the major issues of our times. This has been a major focus of the Coalition Government’s first four-and-a-half months, so we can repair the damage done to our international reputation by the last three years of inaction and neglect.”

Peters noted that the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine are two preoccupying crises facing the world today, and New Zealand is doing its part to play a constructive role and make a credible contribution.

At the same time, the primary focus of our international agenda must be closer to home – and we must contribute to bringing about a freer, more prosperous and more secure Indo-Pacific region, he said

“This visit has reinforced the Coalition Government’s view that New Zealand has an important role to play in our region and indeed the world, and the best way to have the most impact is to work together intensively with other countries that share our values and strategic interests.”

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