The Latest Breaking News from Winston Peters

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters says Western nations, including the United States and New Zealand, failed to understand swiftly enough the geopolitical importance of island nations in the South Pacific, leaving a power vacuum that allowed other countries to increase their diplomatic influence

New Zealand is downplaying hopes of a political breakthrough on New Caledonia emerging from next week's Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting.

The leader of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, kicks off a two-week Pacific mission this week when he touches down in Samoa.

Australia will help stock emergency aid supplies across the Pacific to quicken disaster responses while it seeks the sign off of leaders for a policing plan.

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon had insinuated Australians are stupid in a joke in parliament.

New Zealand may be a long way geographically from Gaza, and the government’s ability to influence the course of events there may be limited, but the nation’s inconsistent position on the appalling conflict is diminishing its vital interests.

France is yet to greenlight an edict from Pacific leaders to visit its territory of New Caledonia after riots, saying it remained the president's prerogative.

The prime ministers of three Pacific nations will lead a mediation effort in crisis-hit New Caledonia next month.

The coral Pacific island of Niue has all the fundamentals for a thriving tourism industry and is seeking help to build it.

New Zealand should still resettle 96 asylum-seekers detained in Nauru despite its reservations, Australian officials say.

Australia's offshore detention centre has not blunted Nauru's reputation, president David Adeang says.