Diplomatic dancing with Oceania

The global diplomacy performance of New Zealand prime ministers can best be measured by their interaction with the South Pacific. Wellington needs our closest family — our South Pacific neighbours — on our team willingly when we do high-quality global diplomacy. Since 1945 there have been four important instances of New Zealand prime ministers mingling with Oceania’s leaders beyond their home shores. They throw light on how New Zealand connects with Oceania and how they work together on the wider global stage. Since the South Pacfic (now Pacific Islands) Forum’s creation in 1971 Oceania has become a regular playing field for trans-Tasman prime ministerial rivalry.