NZ and Niue sign new partnership agreement
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Niue Premier Dalton Tagelagi have ‘‘reaffirmed’’ the New Zealand-Niue relationship by signing a new partnership agreement.
Tagelagi was in Wellington yesterday to meet Ardern, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio, in his first bilateral meeting since becoming premier two years ago.
The meeting came a week after the Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting, and after months of intense diplomacy in the region over a major diplomatic bid by China.
‘‘Times do change, and of course we’ve got to look to the challenges against and what is ahead of us in navigating our waka through these times,’’ Tagelagi said.
Ardern said the renewed partnership agreement was a reaffirmation of the existing agreement.
‘‘In a very changing environment we stand firm in that relationship,’’ she said.
Niue, a Pacific Island nation of around 1700 people between Tonga and Cook Islands, is part of New Zealand’s realm, meaning the Government provides the country with aid and assistance running its affairs, and Niue’s citizens are New Zealand citizens.
In 2019, the two countries signed a strategic partnership agreement that promised greater co-operation on issues including Niue’s prosperity, response to climate change, and peace and security.
The new statement emphasised New Zealand’s and Niue’s commitment to the Pacific Islands Forum, and included a commitment to ‘‘uphold and promote global norms and values’’.
The region-wide forum has gained additional importance in
the past two years, as Micronesian countries threatened to leave and China sought to sign a sweeping multilateral agreement with a smaller group of 10 Pacific nations.
Regarding Kiribati deciding to withdraw from the Pacific Island Forum, Tagelagi said the decision was ‘‘fresh’’.
‘‘Sometimes it takes time to sort of start to realise what the decision is all about, but ... there will always be the family of the forum and the door’s always open when they’re ready to return.’’ Tagelagi met virtually with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in May as Wang made a major diplomatic bid in the
Pacific.
Niue has diplomatic relations with China, and in 2018 it signed up to China’s belt-and-road initiative, a major Chinese programme of infrastructure building. China offered nearly $15 million to pay for an upgraded 64km expressway around the island, and to renovate some wharfs.
Tagelagi said he met Wang just as many other leaders had.
‘‘We did not sign any documents, but we do have that relationship, and it’s all about technical support, and some of the things that are required at home.
‘‘It’s not that [China offers something] New Zealand can’t do. It’s more strengthening the other areas that has been required such as the roading.
‘‘The offer is there, but as always we’ve got to be very cautious in any of the dealings that we have. And it’s not only China but other diplomatic partners that we have similar arrangements with.’’
The country opened its borders in June after reaching a high rate of vaccination for Covid-19, with New Zealand’s assistance. Covid19 had now reached the island and Tagelagi said the situation was ‘‘stable’’.