New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters is heading to the Solomon Islands today to meet with newly elected Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele for the second time.
The Solomon Islands has been a focal point of Pacific geopolitics since switching its alliance from Taiwan to China in 2019. This is Peters’ second trip to the nation, one of several high-level delegations that Manele has received since taking office in May. Manele, the former foreign minister, has also been visited by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Washington’s Papua New Guinea-based ambassador, China’s special envoy to the Pacific, and Japan’s ambassador to the Pacific. Additionally, Manele traveled to Australia to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
University of Hawai’i’s Center for Pacific Islands Studies associate professor Tarcisius Kabutaulaka commented that while such visits are typical when a new leader takes office, Solomon Islands’ pivotal role in geopolitical competition since the 2019 switch has intensified the interest. Kabutaulaka also noted that previous Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had an anti-Western stance. He expressed hope that Manele’s tenure will bring a different diplomatic approach, not only with China but also with other countries.
After his visit to the Solomon Islands, Peters will head to Nauru on Wednesday and Niue on Thursday.
In a statement, Peters emphasized the importance of New Zealand’s relationships in the Pacific, describing them as fundamental to foreign policy. He highlighted major regional issues, including unrest in New Caledonia. Peters will be accompanied by a broad political delegation, including Minister Casey Costello, Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee Tim van de Molen, and opposition members Damien O’Connor, Jenny Salesa, and Teanau Tuiono.
In Nauru, Peters has planned bilateral meetings with President Adeang and Foreign Minister Aingimea. Nauru, one of the world’s smallest independent states, has seen an increase in asylum seekers held in Australia’s offshore processing centers. The nation switched its ties from Taiwan to China after Taiwan’s presidential election and recently appointed former president Baron Waqa as the new secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum.
In Niue, Peters will attend a groundbreaking ceremony for an energy investment project, following New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s announcement of a $20 million investment. Peters will also have a bilateral meeting with Premier Dalton Tagelagi. This visit coincides with Niue’s celebration of 50 years of free association with New Zealand.