PM Christopher Luxon Signals New Zealand’s Interest in Australia-Fiji Defense Partnership
WELLINGTON — Prime Minister Christopher Luxon signalled on Thursday that New Zealand is considering joining the Ocean of Peace Alliance, a defense pact signed by Australia and Fiji earlier this week.
The alliance, described by Canberra as a mutual defense treaty, elevated Fiji to one of Australia’s few treaty allies and is seen as part of Australia’s efforts to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the South Pacific. The pact was signed hours before Beijing’s test of a long-range nuclear-capable missile that landed in the Pacific Ocean.
“Fiji and Australia this week announced a commitment to become military allies, and New Zealand welcomes this,” Luxon said. “We already work with both countries on how we can develop a safer region for all, so engaging with them on this alliance is logical.”
Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who described China’s ballistic missile test as “deeply concerning,” said Pacific leaders have long sought a Pacific-led response to regional security issues. “Elevating our long-standing relationship with Australia and Fiji and other Pacific nations to the next level through an alliance would mean we become even closer partners,” he said.
Australia and Fiji have said other Pacific countries with militaries can join the alliance. Defense Minister Chris Penk called it an “opportunity to grow Pacific unity.”
Peters said Monday that China’s missile test went against the wishes of Pacific nations, who “have been clear we do not want to see the region become a theater for outside military competition.” New Zealand’s Defense Force privately warned last month that Beijing’s naval forays and ballistic missile tests would become a “persistent” feature of the Pacific, according to an internal document obtained by AFP.
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