August 15, 2022
Henare stands in defence up for voice of Pacific
Defence Minister Peeni Henare says New Zealand needs to stand up for the voices of smaller states and civilian populations in the halls of diplomacy.
Mr Henare last week attended the 80th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, which was the first major land offensive by Allied troops against the Empire of Japan.
He says the commemoration did not just acknowledge the combatants but the Solomon Islanders affected by the battles.
Because of its contribution to past wars New Zealand is well respected by its allies, but its unique relationship with the Pacific gives it a special responsibility to make sure other voices come through.
“It’s easy for great powers to talk about the Pacific but how about we hear from the Pacific. Let the people of the Solomon Islands have a voice at the table. Let’s bring in the likes of Tonga and others because it affects them the most. We should be listening to them and I think New Zealand’s particular role here is to give them a platform to be able to speak and to be able to be part of the conversation,” Mr Henare says.