- See below for full interviewNew Zealand must remember its sometimes-negative history in the Pacific as it builds a deeper relationship with Pacific Island states, Professor Robert Patman says. The incident has been linked in many Samoans’ minds with New Zealand’s role in spreading the Spanish flu to Samoa a century ago, killing almost a quarter of the population. ‘‘I think we should never underestimate the power of historical memory,’’ Prof Patman, an international relations specialist, says. The University of Otago professor says the Pacific region has become very important to New Zealand and that this country is generally viewed favourably by Pacific Island states, particularly compared with Australia. I’m just saying I think that it has all the potential to deepen the relationship with the Pacific and make it a positive one.’’

Source: Otago Daily Times December 05, 2019 05:37 UTC