By Linny Folau

Hon. Nanaia Mahuta this afternoon reaffirmed New Zealand as Tonga's long standing partner and promised to deliver a Pacific Resilience Climate Change speech updating their climate finance strategy tomorrow at Fangaloto.

After arriving at Fua'amotu International Airport with her delegation, the New Zealand Foreign Minister flew to 'Eua where she was received in an audience with King Tupou VI at the Royal Palace in 'Eua.

She later told reporters that her lunch with the King was very warm and very hospitable.

“We had a wide range of conversation, very strategic in terms of what is happening in the Pacific. It was clear to see the King’s aspirations for the Kingdom of Tonga.

"It is very clear to me in the conversations we had, that he puts the interests of Tonga at the forefront of his mind."

Climate change

The Minister said in terms of climate change there are a number of challenges that we all face, which require a global effort and response.

Her tour, which included Niue earlier in the week, builds on Aotearoa New Zealand’s Pacific Resilience approach announced last year, and climate action priorities for building resilience, supporting collective action, and growing the capacity of partner countries.

"I am here because, I am making announcement tomorrow about the existential challenge to Pacific, which is climate change and it seems to me that Tonga is a very good place to do that announcement."

She said New Zealand pledged at COP26, $1.3 billion climate finance commitments, with half going to the Pacific, and she will provide an update on their climate finance strategy.

"We now have the very opportunity to launch a Pacific-led approach to enable to Tonga to roll out its own response in this particular area."

The Minister said they will continue to refine and define the strategic partnership, going forward.

“It seems like the existential challenge of climate change is a key area of discussions, as well as the issue of economic resilience and what we can do to work together to ensure that the nature of our partnership supports the aspirations of Tonga going forward. 

“There are a number of challenges that we all face, which require a global effort and response to climate change.

“In relation to our climate finance commitment, we know that New Zealand can play a key role to enable outcomes in the Pacific if we take a partner-led response, that is the key message, because we need development partners to be able to look to ways they can assist the Pacific.

“We can learn from the challenges out there already, like the adminstration challenges of accessing funds for the Pacific, we can make things easier on that,” she said.

Strong ties

The Minister also reaffirmed that Tonga and New Zealand's relationship is close and long standing, forged over a long period of time.

In relation to the HTHH volcanic eruption, she said that New Zealand played no greater role than to provide immediate response to the people of Tonga and ensure they are safe.

“New Zealand was all too happy that we were able to ensure quick and fast assistance where it was needed the most. New Zealand have also been able to work with Tonga to support their response to COVID-19 which has always been a testament to the nature of our relationship.”

She said we have common aspirations in regards to security arrangements. “We have shared ambition in that we look together to each other, if there is a need in the area of security and I continue to welcome the ongoing conversation we are having in this area." 

Peace, stability and prosperity

The Minister said in relation to super powers influence within the region, New Zealand can join the conversation the Pacific wants to have, which primarily is about peace, stability and prosperity.

She said the conversations that came out regionally from the Forum Leaders Meeting was the clear and unequivocal message, that the Pacific wants to continue to assert, peace, stability and prosperity across the region.

"The message is unequivocal to all superpowers coming into the region and we need the Pacific to continue to be, in my mind, nuclear free and, in my mind, working with the Pacific on its existential challenge of climate change, because that is the security threat."

In addition, New Zealand is quite confident with our relationship with Tonga as it is longstanding and will continue to improve, said the Minister.

Tonga Prime MInister

Hon. Hu'akavameiliku said at the joint press conference that through our people we share a history, we are bound by our cultural and ancestral links and Polynesian heritage.

"Our countries are connected by the Blue Pacific ocean and we indeed share common values, we share mutual respect, friendship, collective ambition and we aim for sustainability and including all in our efforts."

The Prime Minister, the New Zealand Foreign Minister and Tonga's Foreign Minister Hon. Fekita 'Utoikamanu had also concluded a fruitful and productive talanoa session.

He also thanked New Zealand for their prompt asistance in suppport of Tonga's response and recovery from the violent eruption and subsequent tsunamis on 15 January.

"New Zealand's assistance became very visible and prominent to all of us after the eruption, as many will recall the sight of the Royal Air Force flight only a few days, after the eruption sweeping across our skies, it was a sign of hope to all of us affected."

The Prime Minister also noted and acknowledged all bilateral assistance with New Zealand and reaffirmed our two countries strong ties.

The Minister  after numerous engagements on Tongatapu, will depart Tonga tomorrow, Friday, to return to Whenuapai Airbase on a Royal New Zealand Air Force flight.