Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is underlining New Zealand's commitment to maintaining "truly independent foreign policy", in a world that's "bloody messy". She stressed the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji is the "vehicle for addressing regional challenge". "We see local security challenges being resolved locally, with Pacific Islands Forum Members' security being addressed first and foremost by the Forum family." These are democratic nations with their own sovereign right to determine their foreign policy engagements…Priorities should be set by the Pacific. Turning to the Pacific, Ardern said climate change must also be a "foreign policy priority".

Source: Otago Daily Times July 07, 2022 14:12 UTC