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Why NZ needs the United States to stay committed to the Pacific
Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific Journalist
Winston Peters seeks to reinforce the United States-New Zealand relationship amidst concerns that the superpower is withdrawing from the Pacific region, academics say.
While in Hawai'i, the New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister said in a statement that New Zealand's Pacific links with the United States are "more important than ever".
He said the partnership with the US remains one of our most longstanding and important, "particularly when seen in the light of our joint interests in the Pacific and the evolving security environment."
The Democracy Project's geopolitical analyst Geoffrey Miller said Peters was trying to send a message to New Zealanders that working more closely with the US is a good thing.
"But he's also appealing very much to officials in Washington, he wants them - the United States and the Trump administration - to remain invested in the Pacific," Miller said.
"There are real question marks over whether Donald Trump and his administration really want to continue the latticework-like approach that Joe Biden had with the Pacific."
The Trump administration has created huge uncertainty in the region by freezing aid funding, pulling out of the global climate treaty - the Paris Agreement - and imposing trade tariffs.
Miller said those policy decisions would have New Zealanders asking whether they want to get closer to the US.
"All these kinds of questions that are coming up and they're coming from all directions. Winston Peters is there, in the middle, and he's trying to fend them all off. He very much wants this partnership to continue. He wants it to become closer."
Security expert Jose Sousa-Santos said Peters has been a longstanding advocate for increased US engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
"Peters is likely making clear NZ expectations about US engagement in the broader region and the implications for the region if the US retrenches from this role," Sousa-Santos said.
"There is deep concern that the US is reducing its engagement in the region with USAID programmes under review and the proposed shuttering of US diplomatic missions in the Pacific."
Miller said Peters would the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) to work more closely with the US, like Australia.
New Zealand's Defence Capability Plan, announced last week, said New Zealand's military needs to be interoperable with partners and be able to act as a "force multiplier" with Australia.
Miller said the NZDF could work indirectly with the US, due Australia's close alliance with America.
"If attitudes change again towards partnership between New Zealand and the United States, if that becomes more acceptable again, well, then you can highlight the idea of working together more closely.
"For now, New Zealand is probably keen to tone that down."
NZ knows how to deal with Trump
While on his trip, Peters met with Hawai'i's Democratic Party governor Josh Green.
Green told reporters he has managed to have some influence with the Trump administration.
Peters said the governor has confirmed New Zealand is approaching the president in the right way.
"The fact is, this is a massively democrat state but nevertheless they deal with Washington very, very well.
"Privately, we have got an inside confirmation that our approach is right, be very careful, these things are very important, words matter and be ultra-cautious, all those things were confirmed by the governor."
Green said it was good to have the NZ Deputy PM in Hawai'i.
"As we move forward in somewhat uncertain times having more friends helps," he said.
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