Due to the proximity of the South Pacific and New Zealand, the formation of relations between that of NZ and the Pacific has been significant for a very long time, with NZ earning a global reputation as the ‘guardian of the Pacific.’
The Pacific was historically very important strategically to many imperial powers including Britain, France, Germany, The United States and Japan, however independence for many of the states within the Pacific by the end of the 1970’s.
“New Zealand is a Pacific nation. We have growing inter-dependence with the region through significant trade and people-to-people links, and the growing part that Pacific Islands play in New Zealand’s national identity.”
Phil Goff
New Zealand has a considerable influence in the Pacific Island countries for a number of reasons including proximity and similarities between cultures, to name just two. This in turn creates a need
for representation, for which NZ has in Fiji (includes Nauru and Tuvalu), Kiribati, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa (including American Samoa), Tonga and Vanuatu. Some argue that there is still further need however, including analyst Henderson (2006).
There are many different and unique levels of NZ’s association with the different island countries. For example, the Cook Islands and Niue are self-governing, however their people are considered New Zealand citizens. Samoa on the other hand has “Treaty of Friendship” with NZ, which obliges NZ to always work for the well being of the Samoan people.
for representation, for which NZ has in Fiji (includes Nauru and Tuvalu), Kiribati, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa (including American Samoa), Tonga and Vanuatu. Some argue that there is still further need however, including analyst Henderson (2006).
There are many different and unique levels of NZ’s association with the different island countries. For example, the Cook Islands and Niue are self-governing, however their people are considered New Zealand citizens. Samoa on the other hand has “Treaty of Friendship” with NZ, which obliges NZ to always work for the well being of the Samoan people.
Other such countries, like that of Tokelau is not self-governing and therefore heavily reliant on NZ. It has a population of only 1600 and the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade appoints an Administrator to ensure the well-being and running of the island. Its dependence and harmonious relationship was illustrated even more so when the Tokelau turned down the option of free association and self-governance in 2006.
New Zealand has always, and will probably for some time, seen to have a unique obligation to its Pacific neighbours. The world’s observations of this relationship is constantly becoming more and more apparent, with NZ being commended for its expertise. NZ is considered to have a very different policy approach to much of the world, even including that of closley located Australia. The 2002 Bali Terrorist Attacks contributed to a view of the Pacific as becoming a haven for terrorist groups etc. However, for Australia which originally neglected the Pacific (according to Hughs, 2004) the actions somewhat shifted under the Ramsi Government in 2003. During this year, many police and military personal were sent to the Solomon Islands. However, NZ does have slight concerns over such assertive approaches.
The Pacific Islands, like that of NZ has natural security in the form of its geography. Threats of war and invasion are not common and heated military conflict, in any, are often internal. For example, that of Fiji’s historical military coups. The main threats to the Pacific’s security are more often in the form of infectious diseases, transnational crimes like drugs, weapons and people trafficking; internal instability and even more so in today’s world is the huge environmental threats that hugely compromise the survival of many islands. In particular that of rising water levels etc. NZ originally did not want to be involved in the internal affairs of the Pacific nations, as it was believed to be ‘off limits.’ However, more and more today NZ is becoming more and more associated with security issues that are connected to the development of the Pacific Nations. The Pacific Islands Forum Bketawa Declaration (2002) now permits members to act, however, only in “times of crisis”
“In no circumstances will anything be discussed, not matter how important, which involves the internal affairs of a member. We met in Apia in 1987, shortly after the Fiji coup, and pretended it hadn’t happend”
-David Lange
New Zealand now has an ever increasing role in ensuring the building and development of the Pacific, with a key theme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and NZAID being the Pacific. NZ is ensuring that areas such as the police, customs, immigration and the machinery of government are implemented and running efficiently. NZ’s involvement is based more around sending police, rather then the defence force. NZ invests over half ($242.7 million NZ) its foreign aid in the Pacific, particularly in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
“It is my assessment that there will be no European-Style Pacific Union in the next five or even 50 years.”
- Henderson (2006)
With regards to trade, the free trade that exists between that of Australia and NZ is not always palatable for that of the Pacific. There are two main organisations that are significant in this area, they are that of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) 2002 and the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA) 2003. PACER is a step by step trade liberalizations across the Pacific Islands. Proper negotiations are scheduled to start in 2011. PICTA however, fosters regional integration and trade development as a precursor to involvement in the world economy. The main objective is to phase out all tariffs by 2012.
NZ is and will remain for some time to be the gardian of Pacific, however, constantly problems are arising that continue to put both the Pacific Islands and NZ to the test. Currently, the super powers (particularly that of Japan, US, EU and China) are struggling for influence and cheque-book diplomacy is becoming more and more apparent.
NZ is and will remain for some time to be the gardian of Pacific, however, constantly problems are arising that continue to put both the Pacific Islands and NZ to the test. Currently, the super powers (particularly that of Japan, US, EU and China) are struggling for influence and cheque-book diplomacy is becoming more and more apparent.
New Zealand and the Pacific