The Prime Minister has reaffirmed New Zealand’s growing friendship with Papua New Guinea, amid shifting dynamics in the Pacific.
Christopher Luxon was welcomed with a 19-gun salute, military inspection and a state dinner in which Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape acknowledged the relationship with his counterpart.
“I acknowledge my friend, my dear friend the Right Honorable Chistopher Luxon.”
Luxon responded the pair had become “great mates and firm friends” before he praised Papua New Guinea’s leadership role in the Pacific.
“Today Papua New Guinea plays a critical leadership role in our regional architecture,” Luxon said during his speech to PNG’s Parliament, in which he became just the second foreign leader to ever speak there.
“I know that you, Prime Minister, are especially interested in what more we can do together in this space.”
The visit included a tour of joint military exercises, where Kiwi troops demonstrated firing techniques in exchange for jungle warfare training from PNG forces.
A stark contrast in the Cooks
While ties with PNG were strengthened, the same could not be said for the relationship with the Cook Islands.
Luxon’s visit came as the Cooks marked 60 years of self-governance in free association with New Zealand.
Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro attended, however Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters were notably absent.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said “there are times when we must pause and consider whether the conventions and evolved understandings between our freely associated states remain aligned”.
“We look forward with belief in our young people, in our institutions, and in the capacity of this nation to chart its own course.”
The tension followed the Cook Islands decision to sign controversial maritime and infrastructure deals with China, without consulting New Zealand.
New Zealand also paused nearly $20 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands over its recent dealings with China.
“We’ve got some work to do to make sure that we deal with the differences and the disagreements that we have around our interpretation of our constitutional arrangements,” Luxon said.
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Trip has been ‘extremely successful’
Speaking from Port Moresby, Pacific Correspondent Barabara Dreaver said she sensed “a real strategic change” in New Zealand’s relationship with Papua New Guinea.
“The first goal has been achieved and that’s not to be in the Cook Islands.
“The second, of course, is the strengthening of our relationship with Papua New Guinea.”
Dreaver said traditionally, New Zealand focuses on Polynesia while Papua New Guinea focused on Melanesia.
“This morning, Prime Minister Luxon spoke at Papua New Guinea’s Parliament, he’s only the second foreign leader to ever do so,” she said.
“He spoke about the sharpening geopolitical tensions and how other actions and priorities may cede division amongst our Pacific family.
“He may well have been speaking about the Cook Islands and China. One thing is for sure, expect to see more of our Melanesian neighbour in our foreign policy to come.”
