Source : Perth Now news
New Zealand has been left red-faced at the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting, with no political attendee at the plenary.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters left on Tuesday night, and Prime Minister Chris Luxon arrives late on Wednesday, with Thursday’s leaders’ retreat in mind.
The absence was noticed when PIF officials scheduled the traditional ‘family photo’ of leaders on Wednesday.
New Zealand was represented by senior bureaucrat Bernadette Cavanagh, a well-respected but not normally public-facing foreign affairs official.
The attendance gap is unlikely to go down well with Pacific partners, who deeply value leaders who make the effort to spend time in the region.
It also plays into a criticism – most often levelled at Australian leaders – that the region’s powers devote too little time to their own neighbours.
Anthony Albanese arrived on Monday and will leave following Thursday’s retreat, while Mr Luxon will spend roughly 36 hours on the ground.
Mr Peters, who arrived on Saturday and in time for lead-up events, brushed off criticism of New Zealand’s absence, saying the delegation had a “serious impact” during his time at the summit.
On Tuesday, Mr Peters announced, with visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, a joint $US60 million ($A84 million) redevelopment of a northern Cook Islands port.
That upgrade will allow the remote Penrhyn atoll to service as a hub for deep sea mining, and potentially, US military movements.
On Wednesday, Mr Landau also announced $US60 million worth of support to energy security: which includes expanding fuel storage capacity and supporting grid stability.
The investments are subject to Congressional approval, a hurdle which has put the kybosh on previous Pacific pledges.
Mr Peters told NZ media outlet Newsroom he had not been briefed on Mr Luxon’s program in Palau, which was a question for him.
The pair – leaders of the National and NZ First parties – serve in a coalition government but are jockeying for votes ahead of New Zealand’s November 7 election.
This year’s summit has been hit with a spate of withdrawals for various reasons, including health and domestic issues.
Kiribati has sent a senior official, while ministers are filling in for the absent leaders of Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
