Drumming a specific beat for when elders’ meetings are called, Forum chair Mark Brown addressed his congregation and reiterated the message of “Our Voices, Our Choices, Our Pacific Voices.”

“Yes, the geo-strategic interest in the region may be at an all-time high but it should not detract from our action plan … a Pacific region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion, and prosperity.

“That ensures all our peoples lead free, healthy, and productive lives.”

Forum partners dressed in green pareu and mu’umu’u symbolising the atolls of Kūki ‘Airani, marking the start of the forum’s plenary session.

Secretary-general Henry Puna said the 2050 strategy framed how the Blue Pacific Continent was moving forward.

“There are a multitude of opportunities and complexities before us as a region. But the key to capitalising on these opportunities and overcoming shared complexities is our solidarity as a region.

“The 2050 implementation plan articulates our collective actions for the next seven years and I am pleased that the forum chair has taken it upon himself to identify key actions under the Pacific partnerships for prosperity to drive at the political level.”

November 11: NZ’s first bilateral meeting with Cook Islands PM

‘The two MPs, jointly dubbed the ‘Caramel Brownie’ discussed security, climate financing, and infrastructure funding and confirmed that “Pacific unity is strong”.’

In an unusual arrangement where opposing political party MPs sat together in bilateral discussions with a country leader, Labour’s deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni said they were all on the “same waka” gifting Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown a waka paddle - signifying the partnership.

Describing the meeting as being “warm and hospitable”, both Sepuloni and senior National MP Gerry Brownlee were confident about the strength of the constitutional relationship with the Cook Islands.

Sepuloni said the forum looked to be a productive one “regarding the discussions around climate change…stability and security in the Pacific.

“The PM has already had an opportunity to meet with most of the Pacific leaders. He expressed to us that there certainly is a good feeling among the leaders.”

She also said they looked at seabed nodules with an extensive explanation from PM Mark Brown about the extraction of the resource.

What wasn’t discussed was the revitalisation of the Rarotonga Treaty, the Palestine-Israel conflict. Nor was the controversial issue raised around former Nauru president Baron Waqa’s appointment as secretary-general.

Sepuloni said she had had no indication the subject would be revisited.

“What we anticipate is that everyone will collectively get around this secretary-general to ensure he is able to work constructively and to fulfill the obligations and responsibilities of the role and so Aotearoa New Zealand and the rest of the Pacific will look to put that support in place.”

The rising geopolitical issues have divided the Pacific and large superpowers were making more moves in the region - Brown said this was being embraced.

Sepuloni agreed the Pacific would always be unified.

“Just because we disagree on some things doesn’t mean we’re not unified. The fact that Micronesia, especially Kiribati, is back in the fold … that is very important. We want to make sure that that remains the case. We are going to be strong if we are unified and that means everyone has to be at the table.”

Day two of NZ’s agenda will see a plenary session chaired by Mark Brown, Sepuloni heading to Aitutaki for the leaders’ retreat, and Brownlee having bilateral meetings of his own with Cuba and France.

8/11/2023 New Zealand departs for the Pacific Islands Forum

How strong is New Zealand’s influence in the region? National’s Gerry Brownlee and Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni head to the biggest Pacific Islands Leaders meeting to find out.

The two main political parties will collaborate to represent Aotearoa in Rarotonga.

Caretaker-Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni attends the 52nd Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM52) as the primary representative accompanied by senior National MP Gerry Brownlee from the incoming government.

Sepuloni said she was pleased to lead the delegation and to have the opportunity to reaffirm existing regional relationships.

“Regardless of who is in government, Aotearoa New Zealand’s relationship with our Pacific whānau is long-standing and vital.”

With a group of approximately 15 officials in tow, the New Zealand delegation departed from the RNZAF Air Movements Rongotai in Wellington.

National’s representative Gerry Brownlee said while the incoming government didn’t have any Pacific people in its governing body he was confident of its commitment to Pacific outcomes.

“Let’s not forget it was a National prime minister at the time who collaborated with the Australian prime minister to establish the Pacific Islands Forum. Our commitment to that is unquestioned and unwavering.”

A new name

Is this a sign of a good working relationship? Brownlee and Sepuloni agreed they were at the forum to represent “New Zealand Inc.”

The duo has been dubbed the “Caramel Brownie” who won’t be seen “scrapping” during their time in Rarotonga.

The contingent isn’t quite late to the party but New Zealand is the last nation in the South Pacific to arrive alongside Australia which sends a squad of 70 people.

A drumming welcome

Monday evening local time saw the Cook Islands host the official welcoming ceremony with national anthems sung by local star Tara Kauvai-Mustonen.

Cook Islands Prime Minister and forum chair Mark Brown extended a warm ‘Kia Orana’ to his guests and said he hoped the prestigious event built on the strong Pacific bond.

“Amid a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, it’s more important than ever that our Pacific leaders chart our own course toward a legacy of prosperity, sustainability, and unity.

“The (PIFLM52) is not just an event, it is a milestone and our collective journey as stewards of our Blue Pacific Continent.”

Under the theme Our voices, Our choices, Our Pacific way: Promote, Partner, Prosper, the forum is expected to host about 600 global delegates to discuss ways of achieving important issues on the agenda.

Major topics including climate change, infrastructural development, ocean conservation, and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, as well as economic resilience, are all vital issues impacting sustainable living in the region.

Expected talking points that may also come up are the Pacific nations that voted against a UN resolution to ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict, regional security and cyber-safety, and rising geopolitical competition between China, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Shaky start

A contentious matter is the appointment of ex-Nauru President Baron Waqa as the Forum’s next secretary-general.

Waqa told media in the Cook Islands he was “excited” about his candidacy.

“We need to get everyone together. Reunited and refocused again.”

Waqa has had a raft of controversies tainting his political career such as his poor treatment of refugees and the legal system plus accusations that he received bribes in a case that is still open.

Despite his reputation, Sepuloni said they backed the decision of the current title holder, Henry Puna.

“I think it’s going to be important that we all get behind the secretary-general and as a region and collective of nations. We support the forum to be effective and constructive in supporting the secretary-general in his role”

By the convention of a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’, the high-level diplomatic position rotates through the three major sub-regions: Melanesia, Polynesia, and Micronesia.

The last election was supposed to have Micronesian candidate Marshall Islands ambassador to the US, Gerald Zackios. The forum’s choice of Henry Puna was in defiance of that agreement, and threatened the forum’s existence when some nations said they would pull out.

Waqa’s selection is among a set of measures attempting to repair the bruised relationship and he’s set to assume the role in 2024.

By the convention of a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’, the high-level diplomatic position rotates through the three major sub-regions: Melanesia, Polynesia, and Micronesia.

The last election was supposed to have Micronesian candidate Marshall Islands Ambassador to the US, Gerald Zackios. Still, the voting of the incumbent Secretary General Henry Puna was in defiance of that agreement, threatening the regional body’s existence.

In Partnership with Pacific Media Network