Winston Peters highlights Whakapapa connections during Pacific Islands Forum diplomacy

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has returned from the Pacific Islands Forum with a renewed focus on New Zealand’s role within its immediate neighborhood. As reported by Waatea News on 10 September 2026, the New Zealand First leader used his latest round of Pacific diplomacy to reinforce the deep-seated connections that bind Aotearoa to the region, citing shared whakapapa, migration, trade, and generations of whānau relationships as the bedrock of these partnerships. Mr. Peters signaled that the Pacific is undergoing significant transformation due to climate change, development pressures, and increasing infrastructure needs. He emphasized that New Zealand’s engagement must be based on more than just strategic competition between major global powers. Instead, he advocated for a development approach that listens to the priorities identified by Pacific governments themselves, particularly regarding climate resilience and disaster preparedness. The Foreign Minister’s international efforts coincide with a surge in domestic support for New Zealand First. As the country moves toward the 7 November election, recent polling highlights the party’s strengthened position. A September Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll placed the party at 8.4 percent, while a rolling tracker shows an average of close to 10 percent support. This follows an August RNZ-Reid Research poll that saw the party reach as high as 11.9 percent, marking its strongest result in nearly a decade. For Mr. Peters, the domestic and international messages are increasingly intertwined. He maintains that Aotearoa cannot afford to retreat from the Pacific, given the region’s importance to the nation’s security and cultural identity. The challenge ahead remains ensuring New Zealand has the financial capacity to match its ambitions for supporting its Pacific partners in health, education, and economic development.