Pacific

The Ministry's Pacific Division manages New Zealand's bilateral and multilateral relationships in the South Pacific region. The Division is involved in a wide range of issues including political and economic relations, trade relations, defence and regional security, environment and fisheries management, and disaster relief assistance.

• Pacific information papers
• Events
• Fiji
• Key Pacific issues
• Travel advice

Pacific information papers

We provide key data, political and economic information and explain New Zealand's bilateral relationship with the following countries and territories in the Pacific:

Events

• Final Communique of 40th Pacific Islands Forum, Cairns - press release, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, 6 August 2009 [external link]
• Informal Forum Trade Participants Meeting, 8-9 May 2009, Auckland

Fiji

• Expulsion of New Zealand Acting High Commissioner to Fiji: Statement by Caroline McDonald on her return to New Zealand
• Frequently asked questions about New Zealand's policy towards Fiji
  

Key Pacific issues

• Trade - The Pacific is an important market, with New Zealand's exports to the region now worth more than NZ$1 billion a year.
• Environment and the Oceans - Environment priorities for New Zealand in the Pacific include climate change, the protection of whales and concerns over the shipment of spent nuclear material through the region.
• Regional Security - Security has become a significant focus of the Pacific Islands Forum's work in recent years.
• Fisheries - The Pacific is the world's most significant tuna fishing area, valued at up to $US2 billion and supplying a third of world tuna production. Safeguarding and managing the region's fish stocks is a major concern.
• Economic - Rapid population growth, pressure on resources, and weak economic growth present substantial risks for the Pacific region.
• Social and Health - The Pacific region faces a range of health challenges. In Polynesia "lifestyle" non-communicable diseases (NCDs - such as diabetes, cardio-vascular disease and some forms of cancer) are the major health concerns.
• Disaster Relief - New Zealand responds to cyclones and other natural disasters in the Pacific. Pacific Division coordinates an Emergency Task Force that responds to natural disasters 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Travel advice

Safe Travel - Pacific regional information

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