Fiji-Australia-New Zealand Have Come A Long Way

One can feel there is an air of great optimism in the future relations between Fiji, Australia and New Zealand. Recent developments demonstrate that co-operation on many fronts continue to become stronger and stronger.

We have come a long way forward from the nasty days when the Australian and New Zealand governments tried unsuccessfully to isolate us.

When only the Chinese amongst our major partners stayed true.

Australia’s and New Zealand’s immediate response after Tropical Cyclone Harold reinforces again the growing strength of our relations.

The devastation caused by TC Harold in the region is a sad and somber reminder about the reality of climate change.

In these times of crisis we need each other.

Australia and New Zealand were the first of our development partners to come to our aid.

Their assistance made a major difference to our recovery efforts.

When Australia was fighting destructive bushfires, Fiji and New Zealand sent their teams to the frontlines to help put out the fires and protect lives and properties.

The Fijian contribution was highly appreciated and it left an indelible mark on the local communities our troops connected with.

The birth of the Vuvale partnership between Australia and Fiji lifted the bond between the two countries to a higher level.

It has intensified the practical co-operation and brings to life the five pillars that underpin this special relationship:

■stre■gthe■i■g our people-to-people links, which is what makes us ‘vuvale’;

■e■ha■ci■g our security co-operation to meet common challenges and maintain a secure region;

■deepe■i■g our economic relationship to achieve greater prosperity for our people;

■bui●di■g our co-operation on international and regional issues, as we pledge to safeguard a sovereign region and represent the Pacific and its interests on the world stage; and

■fosteri■g closer institutional linkages in support of strong and inclusive societies.

New Zealand - long closer to the Pacific Islands - has also generously stepped up in a number of areas. It seems it has embraced the Vuvale concept in its own unique way.

We need to recognise the work done behind the scene by John Feakes, the Australian High Commissioner, and Jonathan Curr, the New Zealand High Commissioner.

Saturday’s ANZAC Day commemoration reminded us of the first campaign that led to major casualties for Australian and New Zealand forces fighting side by side during World War One.

It embraces all subsequent conflict and the sacrifices made by the ANZACs.

Today those conflicts take different forms like our battle against climate change and now COVID-19. Australia and New Zealand are close allies again in the region, although Australia, it has to be said, still lags behind New Zealand in unity in the climate change fight.

However, both are more than just our neighbours, they are again our friends.