NZ Committed to Fiji, the Pacific’s Security, NZDF Minister Confirms

New Zealand’s Minister for Defence has reaffirmed New Zealand’s commitment to enhancing defence support and ensuring regional security in Fiji and the Pacific.

Peeni Henare, who is currently on a three-day bilateral visit, met with Fiji’s Minister for Defence, Inia Seruiratu, at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva yesterday.

He said visiting Fiji was deliberate to strengthen ties with his Fijian counterparts.

“Both our countries show strength and authenticity in our relationships,” he said.

“Just very briefly on maritime security and the need for regenerating and working together within our forces, I want to reiterate that New Zealand is keen to work with you on these matters to continue to make sure we have a view not just for our respective countries, but the wider Pacific.

“Collectively we are stronger.”

Mr Seruiratu said the bilateral visit by Mr Henare reaffirmed the two countries shared commitment in improving regional security.

“We have touched briefly on a few issues; there have been some outstanding issues particularly from 2016,” he said.

“HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) was a key component of the discussions that we had because we are in a vulnerable region and of course the defence forces of both countries have a critical role to play.

“There are some policy issues as well. We briefly discussed New Zealand’s support to us in the development of a maritime security strategy that will support the national security strategy that is before the Government,” he said.

“We are thankful again for that assistance taking into consideration their expertise and the necessary support that comes with it as well.”

Mr Seruiratu said the two countries had a role to play in the region, particularly for our sister countries.

“We are both small countries, but the capability that we have can be used to the advantage and bring effectiveness and efficiency to HADR work as well. We are a maritime nation and we have a huge border and we unfortunately have limited capabilities to Police our EEZ (Exclusive economic zone).

“For that we have shiprider agreements with US, Australia, British and the wasawasa arrangement with New Zealand.

“This is where we need each other’s support with regards to policing our waters.

“Specifically on a mutual assistance programme between the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and New Zealand Air Force, most of Fijians are New Zealand-trained so that we want that to continue where we will have more exchanges. These are some of the issues we discuss.”

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