Australia and Pacific

Dispersed across an ocean covering nearly 20% of the Earth’s surface, the Pacific region comprises countries as diverse as Papua New Guinea (population of 10+ million speaking over 850 languages) to isolated small island states such as Niue with a population of around 1,600. 

New Zealand, along with our key partner Australia, are Pacific countries connected to the region by people, culture, history, politics and shared security and economic interests. New Zealand has constitutional responsibilities to ensure the well-being of New Zealand citizens, including those living in the Realm (Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau), who have New Zealand passports and can move freely to New Zealand in search of employment and access to health, social or education services. Samoa (with which New Zealand has a Treaty of Friendship), Tonga and Fiji also have close historical ties with, and large diaspora populations in, New Zealand. 

New Zealand supports a peaceful, stable, prosperous and resilient Pacific. Our engagement in the Pacific is guided by the principles of understanding, friendship, mutual benefit, collective impact, and sustainability.

Trade and development

New Zealand is committed to sustainable development with and for the Pacific, and to tackling the global challenges – particularly climate change. The Pacific region receives around 60% of our Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding.

New Zealand has substantial trade and economic links with Pacific countries, supported by the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus).

New Zealand has committed to aiming to spend at least 20% of our total Official Development Assistance on Aid for Trade in the Pacific, for five years from PACER Plus’ entry into force in December 2020.

Labour mobility is another major driver of prosperity for both New Zealand and the wider region. The Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme(external link) has been a key enabler for growth in New Zealand’s horticulture and viticulture industry. Equally, MBIE estimates returns to Pacific countries through RSE remittances are more than NZ$100 million each year.

Defence and security

Security is another core component of our relationships in the Pacific. To help address transboundary security threats such as transnational crime, cybercrime, and environmental degradation, New Zealand supports Pacific countries with initiatives such as leadership training delivered through the New Zealand Defence Force and helping Pacific countries to comply with international maritime codes and regulations.

New Zealand provides monitoring, control and surveillance support that helps Pacific countries to protect their fisheries from illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. 

New Zealand Police, Customs, and Immigration agencies work closely with their Pacific counterparts to strengthen border security, including improving aviation security capability and providing equipment. 

And New Zealand has been a significant contributor to the Bougainville peace process and to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

The Pacific Islands Forum

The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)(external link) is the Pacific region’s premier political and economic policy organisation. New Zealand is a member and was one of the founding members of its predecessor, the South Pacific Forum.

The PIF’s vision is for a region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion, and prosperity so everyone in the Pacific can lead free, healthy, and productive lives. The 18 member countries work to achieve this by fostering cooperation between governments, collaborating with international agencies and representing the interests of its members.

The annual Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting is the most important appointment on the regional calendar. There are also high-level ministerial meetings throughout the year, which New Zealand regularly attends.

Pacific regional agencies

New Zealand invests in other regional agencies because we are committed to working with Pacific-owned and led organisations to support national and regional development goals. Working with regional agencies is economic and sensible in cases where one country does not have the resources to deliver solutions on its own, or on issues that require a collective effort – such as climate change, offshore fisheries, statistics, and regional economic growth.

• Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)(external link): Advice and services to enable Pacific countries to maximise the economic and social benefits from the sustainable management of their tuna fisheries.
• The Pacific Community (SPC)(external link): Scientific and technical services in agriculture, public health, geosciences, fisheries, statistics, educational assessment, disaster risk reduction, transport, energy, climate change, gender, youth and human rights.
• Pacific Island Trade and Invest (PT&I)(external link): Works with export capable businesses across the Pacific island countries to promote their products and services in the New Zealand market and facilitate investment between New Zealand and the Pacific Island Countries.
• Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP)(external link): Technical assistance in climate change, biodiversity and ecosystem management, waste management and pollution control, and environmental monitoring.
• South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO)(external link): Committed to the long-term conservation and sustainable use of the fishery resources of the South Pacific Ocean.
• University of the South Pacific (USP)(external link): The Pacific's regional university, providing higher education including distance and flexible learning.