Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has emphasized a bipartisan approach in New Zealand’s handling of Papua New Guinea’s diplomatic affairs as he views PNG’s crucial role as the “buffer” between South East Asia and the Pacific.
PM Marape made these thoughts known to Opposition Leader, the Rt. Hon. Chris Hipkins today (26.03.25) when he paid a courtesy call on him at the New Zealand Parliament House.
He said Papua New Guinea’s geographical position in linking the two regions make it unique and it was important that New Zealand and Australia continue to assist PNG strengthen its position in security and growing an economy that contributes to a stronger Papua New Guinea.
The Prime Minister said, “We straddle South East Asia and the Pacific, and our geographical feature being joined to Indonesia makes us unique. We engage with the Pacific equally as we engage with Indonesia and nations of Asia and South East Asia.
“Culturally we have affinity with both regions, and we take our role seriously as the buffer between Asia/South East Asia and the Pacific.
“If any nation should defend Pacific interest up north for the preservation of democracy, free trade and territorial interest, PNG is available.
“In the world of many twists and turns these days, I think the steadiness and peace of New Zealand/Australia and Pacific is important,” stressed the Prime Minister, as he further detailed work by his government currently going into strengthening security within the country.
Prime Minister Marape also pointed to Papua New Guinea’s large available workforce in seasonal work, highlighting that PNG could easily supply up to 30,000 people or more to work on farms in New Zealand without affecting the country’s workforce like other smaller Pacific island nations.
He stressed also the importance of developing a stronger business-to-business and people-to-people relations between the two nations instead of relying soley on government-to-government which has been happening over the 50- year bilateral partnership of PNG and New Zealand.
Mr Hipkins was gracious in his welcome to Prime Minister Marape and his dele- gation, welcoming them to New Zealand, despite being in the middle of a Parliament session.