Navies discuss safety for southwest Pacific

Safety in the South Pacific was on the agenda at the first collaborative meeting between the New Zealand Navy and other Pacific defence forces.

The meeting discussed threats to the Pacific, such as sustainable fishing, climate change, natural disasters, and crime, including drugs, weapons and money smuggling.

Representatives of maritime forces from Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, France, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and New Zealand met in Takapuna on September 4 and 5.

The South West Pacific Heads of Maritime Forces meeting was the first time all the maritime heads from the southwest Pacific have got together to discuss how the forces operate together.

New Zealand chief of Navy, Rear Admiral John Martin hosted the meeting, which he said was in the spirit of ‘‘friendship and kinship’’.

Martin said the purpose of a collaboration was to acknowledge all countries share the responsibility for maritime security in the South Pacific.

‘‘We can all work together,’’ he said.

Together there is a training, coordination and information exchange opportunity, he said.

‘‘It’s early days, but what I think we are going to see is the growth of an organisation providing a cohesive and coordinated response.’’

The meeting was an opportunity to focus solely on the South Pacific, which has never been seen to be as important, Martin said.

Taxpayers expect this from their defence force and are expecting better outcomes.

‘‘This is one way we can ensure we can achieve this,’’ he said.

Takapuna was chosen because Auckland is the world’s largest Pacific Island city, and because the Navy is primarily based here.

Captain Humphery Tawake, from the Republic of Fiji Navy said said it was a great opportunity to discuss common security issues around one table.

The Pacific makes up one third of the global space, Tawake said.

‘‘It’s a big responsibility.’’ ‘‘The idea to have this meeting was excellent, and now we can effectively collaborate and work together,’’ he said.

Regular annual meetings will now take place to discuss outcomes and achievements.

New Zealand chief of Navy, Rear Admiral John Martin hosted the meeting.