WELLINGTON — New Zealand and Fiji have formalized a renewed five-year partnership, signing what is known as the Duavata Partnership during talks held in Auckland on Thursday. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced the agreement following his meeting with Fiji’s Foreign Minister Sakiasi Ditoka, with the pact outlining shared priorities spanning trade, security, democracy, social development, and climate resilience for the years 2026 through 2030.
The newly signed agreement builds upon an earlier framework that covered 2022 to 2025. Among its key goals, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to growing two-way trade to NZ$2 billion — roughly $1.17 billion U.S. — by the year 2030. The partnership also expands cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, disaster preparedness, and support for a vision of the Pacific as an “Ocean of Peace,” according to a joint statement from both governments.
On the security front, the agreement calls for deeper collaboration across community policing, immigration, customs, border protection, cybersecurity, intelligence sharing, maritime security, and humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.
Minister Peters noted that the two foreign ministers also held discussions regarding New Zealand’s interest in exploratory talks with Fiji and Australia concerning the Ocean of Peace Alliance.
Fiji’s Foreign Minister Ditoka is also expected to participate in a trade and investment ministerial meeting being hosted by New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay.
