Joint Statement by the Prime Ministers of Fiji and New Zealand

Joint Statement by the Prime Ministers of Fiji and New Zealand

06 June 2024

(Main Points)

Prime Minister Hon Sitiveni L. Rabuka hosted Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon on an Official Visit to Fiji from 5-7 June 2024.

Both Prime Ministers recognised the deep and broad historical, cultural, and people-to-people connections that bind our two countries together. 

They acknowledged the ongoing value of our partnerships across a wide range of sectors and initiatives at the bilateral level, as part of our shared future in the Blue Pacific Continent, and in global and multilateral fora.

They acknowledged with celebration that the year 2025 will mark 55 years of diplomatic relations between Fiji and New Zealand.

New Zealand – Fiji Duavata Partnership

The Prime Ministers reinforced their respective government’s full commitment to the Duavata Partnership that guides our engagement over the 2022-2025 period.

They reaffirmed their belief in the importance of the fundamental shared values that underpin the Duavata Partnership.

The Prime Ministers encouraged continued extensive engagement between ministers, officials, other high-level delegates, and representatives from across all elements of civil society, to further our shared objectives under the Duavata Partnership.

Recognising that the Duavata Partnership will reach maturity at the end of 2025, the Prime Ministers committed to refreshing the Partnership during 2025 to ensure that it is reflective of the strength of the relationship as well as the opportunities for enhanced collaboration. 

The Prime Ministers further noted that officials are expecting to convene High-Level Consultations later this year.

Partnership, democracy, and values

The Prime Ministers recognised with fondness and appreciation the long-standing connections between our peoples and institutions through many avenues including familial links, arts and culture, sport, education, and business. They encouraged these to flourish further into the future, acknowledging that both countries are deeply enriched through the breadth and abiding nature of these partnerships.

Acknowledging the complex and challenging geopolitical environment facing our region and the world, the Prime Ministers committed their respective governments to pursue greater coordination on our respective foreign policy priorities, including regular sharing of information and insights. This includes deepened coordination on bilateral, regional, and multilateral priorities.

Both Prime Ministers recognised the fundamental importance of strong, transparent, and accountable systems of democratic governance in their own countries and around the world. They welcomed New Zealand’s on-going support to Fijian counterparts to strengthen Fiji’s key democratic institutions including the judiciary, civil service, parliament, elections, and other governance and oversight institutions. 

Acknowledging both the unique role that indigenous peoples play in our nations, and the value that other ethnic communities bring to our nations, the Prime Ministers welcomed ongoing cooperation and connections between New Zealand and Fiji on indigenous cultural and economic matters as well as on inter-ethnic and society-wide cohesion.

Prime Minister Luxon was pleased to inform Prime Minister Rabuka that the New Zealand Government will remove the requirement for transit visas for Fijian nationals travelling through New Zealand. Prime Minister Luxon noted that once this change is implemented, Fijian nationals will be able to transit New Zealand with a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), and that this change will reduce transaction costs for Fijian travellers who transit New Zealand for onward international travel. Prime Minister Rabuka thanked Prime Minister Luxon for this change, and further highlighted Fiji’s longstanding request for New Zealand to consider a ‘visa on arrival’ policy for visiting Fijian nationals.

Economic resilience

The Prime Ministers recognised the shared economic and social challenges that countries around the world, including both New Zealand and Fiji, experienced during and since the COVID-19 pandemic and as countries sought a green recovery. 

They acknowledged the strong spirit of collaboration between New Zealand and Fiji during and since the pandemic that enabled our countries to avoid its worst economic and social impacts.

Stimulating sustainable and inclusive economic growth through economic reforms is a top priority for both Prime Ministers and their governments. 

Prime Minister Rabuka welcomed New Zealand’s financial support aligned with Fiji’s priority economic reforms through its multi-donor policy reform-based budget support operation. With the Fiji Government having recently successfully completed the current phase of reforms, Prime Minister Luxon was pleased to inform Prime Minister Rabuka that New Zealand will contribute further budget support payments totalling NZ$ 7.5 million to Fiji as part of a multi-year NZ$ 10 million programme supporting Fiji’s priority economic reforms, which is additional to a NZ$10 million budget support payment that New Zealand provided to Fiji in 2023 to support the Fiji Government’s priorities.

The Prime Ministers strongly encouraged private sector stakeholders in the region and beyond to capitalise on the significant and growing economic, trade, and investment opportunities that exist between New Zealand and Fiji, and in the Pacific region more generally.  

They noted with pride that two-way trade between New Zealand and Fiji reached an all-time high of NZ$ 1.36 billion in 2023, and pledged to support the necessary reforms and support to grow that figure to NZ$ 2 billion by 2030.

They acknowledged the vital role that businesses and investors, as well as the New Zealand-Fiji Business Council and the Fiji-New Zealand Business Council, play in furthering economic and social progress, and encouraged ongoing wide-ranging cooperation between public sector and private sector stakeholders towards common objectives.

Acknowledging the strategic importance to both New Zealand and Fiji of deepening regional economic integration, Prime Minister Luxon warmly welcomed Prime Minister Rabuka’s intention for Fiji to review the potential benefits and positively consider joining the PACER Plus regional trade and development agreement, and Prime Minister Luxon noted that New Zealand stands ready to support Fiji through this process.

Recognising other valuable areas of international trade cooperation between New Zealand and Fiji, the Prime Ministers welcomed continued progress on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework of which both countries are part as a way to deepen economic integration and cooperation amongst partner economies across the Indo-Pacific region. 

They also noted the close ongoing work between New Zealand, Fiji, and other partners on World Trade Organisation priorities, particularly, concluding the negotiations on subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing. 

Prime Minster Luxon also expressed keenness to welcome Fiji back into the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability in future, should Fiji be in a position to re-join the Agreement.

Prime Minister Rabuka welcomed ongoing support from New Zealand towards strengthening Fiji’s economic resilience, including support on micro, small, and medium enterprises development, the private sector enabling framework, the digital economy, and fisheries. 

Both Prime Ministers were pleased to acknowledge agriculture sector cooperation, including New Zealand’s new regional programme led by New Zealand Plant and Food Research to support farmers adapt to the impacts of climate change on production, as well as New Zealand’s recent contribution towards the upgrading of the High Temperature Forced Air (HTFA) facility at Nadi Airport that will boost Fiji’s horticultural exports. 

Both Prime Ministers also welcomed ongoing partnerships between New Zealand, Fiji, and other regional countries on scholarships and regional tertiary education support, including through the University of the South Pacific.

Both Prime Ministers acknowledged the valued contribution to both countries of Fijian seasonal workers who work in New Zealand under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, and Prime Minister Rabuka welcomed the additional labour mobility support that New Zealand has committed over the next five years. They committed to ensuring that the RSE scheme continues to provide benefits for workers and their families and communities in Fiji, as well as filling critical labour shortages in New Zealand.

Security

Both Prime Ministers recognised the extensive history of bilateral and regional security sector cooperation involving New Zealand and Fiji. They affirmed that responses to regional security needs and challenges could be found within the Pacific and commended New Zealand and Fiji’s partnership in this area. They emphasised their commitment to the Boe Declaration on Regional Security, and reaffirmed that climate change remains the greatest threat facing the livelihoods, security, and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific. 

They further recognised that the increasingly complex strategic environment in our region requires greater collaboration between Pacific partners on shared challenges.

The Prime Ministers agreed that New Zealand and Fiji will continue to strengthen security sector cooperation, including through high-level policy cooperation at bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels, wide-ranging military and policing initiatives, and cooperation on cyber security, customs, border security, transnational crime, and maritime security.

Social well-being

The Prime Ministers acknowledged the importance of social well-being as a priority area both in our respective countries and in our bilateral co-operation. 

Prime Minister Rabuka thanked Prime Minister Luxon for New Zealand’s NZ$ 20million health system support programme with Fiji during and in the wake of theCovid-19 pandemic, including the refurbishment of local health centres and nursing stations.

The Prime Ministers updated each other on their respective education sector reform agendas, and acknowledged positive Pacific regional collaboration on education strengthening initiatives.

Recognising the need to continuously strengthen women’s empowerment and participation across all aspects of society, the Prime Ministers welcomed New Zealand’s contributions on this important area through Fiji’s Marama Ni Viti programme.

The Prime Ministers acknowledged that housing is another important area of focus in our respective countries, and welcomed New Zealand’s ongoing support to Fiji on housing sector priorities, including initiatives to upgrade informal settlements and support formalised settlement communities.

Both Prime Ministers recognised the valued role that civil society organisations play in delivering and promoting social well-being outcomes, and welcomed continued collaboration between New Zealand and Fijian civil society organisations.

Climate change and disaster resilience

Both Prime Ministers recognise the need to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and support the global economic transition that is under way as part of their shared commitment to implement the Paris Agreement. They acknowledge the unique climate vulnerabilities faced by Pacific island countries and other small island developing states.

The Prime Ministers welcomed continued bilateral cooperation on climate mitigation and adaption, including through New Zealand’s substantial financial and technical support towards Fiji’s national climate priorities. They highlighted the value of ongoing bilateral cooperation relating to domestic relocation of peoples and communities who are displaced as a result of climate change. Prime Minister Rabuka thanked Prime Minister Luxon for New Zealand’s recent decision to contribute an additional NZ$ 3.6 million to Fiji’s Climate Relocation of Communities Trust Fund.

Both Prime Ministers acknowledged the significant impacts that natural disasters have on individuals, communities, and economies, in our region. Prime Minister Luxon thanked Prime Minister Rabuka for Fiji’s disaster response and recovery assistance to New Zealand following Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. Prime Minister Rabuka thanked Prime Minister Luxon for New Zealand’s ongoing support towards strengthening Fiji’s disaster resilience capabilities, and Prime Minister Luxon reiterated New Zealand’s unwavering commitment to providing Fiji with disaster response and relief support in future.

Pacific regional developments

Both Prime Ministers underscored the importance of the Pacific regional architecture, including the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). They highlighted the importance of working through the PIF and other Pacific-led regional organisations to secure the future of our region and deliver on our priorities as articulated in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. 

The Prime Ministers further emphasised the centrality of the PIF and its critical role in amplifying the Pacific’s voice on the global stage and bolstering the region’s engagement with international partners. They agreed to work together to ensure the PIF remains an influential and unified institution, capable of facilitating collective action on shared challenges. 

The Prime Ministers acknowledged this year’s PIF Leaders Meeting in Tonga in August as another important opportunity to further strengthen Pacific regionalism.

Prime Minister Rabuka outlined his vision for an Ocean of Peace across our Blue Pacific Continent, which both Prime Ministers look forward to discussing further alongside other regional leaders at this year’s PIF Leaders Meeting in Tonga.

Both Prime Ministers expressed their deep concern regarding the ongoing situation in New Caledonia and affirmed the role of the Pacific Islands Forum in supporting constructive and respectful dialogue between the relevant parties in alignment with the Nouméa Accord. 

They also acknowledged with sympathy the recent tragic landslide in the Enga province of Papua New Guinea, and expressed their condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives and to the Government of Papua New Guinea during this sad time.

Global developments

The Prime Ministers acknowledged the importance of multilateralism in addressing the serious and complex challenges facing our world, and expressed support for the international rules-based system, with the United Nations at the core. They emphasised the importance of a well-functioning rules-based international order and its significance for global, regional, and national stability.

In the maritime domain, the Prime Ministers reaffirmed the right of freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the seas as recognised under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They further affirmed the need to respect states’ ability to conserve, sustainably develop, and effectively manage their maritime natural resources in a manner that is consistent with international law, in particular UNCLOS which is the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out.

The Prime Ministers noted that both New Zealand and Fiji are signatories to the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). They recognised the importance of the Agreement entering into force as soon as practicable.

Both Prime Ministers underscored that New Zealand and Fiji are staunch supporters of international law and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. They agreed that New Zealand and Fiji will continue to work together to uphold international law and the multilateral system, and to stay in close contact on regional and global issues of concern. The Prime Ministers agreed to strengthen existing cooperation advocating for the interests of our Pacific region and of small states in multilateral fora, including through the UN and the Commonwealth.