New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, who is in Tonga for his first stop on a week-long Pacific tour, has announced he is easing visa restrictions for visitors from Pacific Island nations.
Nukuʻalofa, Tonga — New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters arrived in Tonga this week, leading a cross-party delegation as part of a regional Pacific mission. His visit, marked by warm diplomacy and bold immigration reforms, comes at a time of rising global uncertainty, growing geopolitical tensions, and controversial new U.S. tariffs affecting Pacific Island nations.
Tonga at the Centre of Regional Attention
Tonga, now under the leadership of newly appointed Prime Minister Dr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke, has been thrust into the regional spotlight. Dr. Eke, who assumed power earlier this year following the resignation of former Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni, also serves as chair of the Pacific Islands Forum. Under his watch, Tonga is emerging as a key player in shaping regional priorities, including a push for greater self-reliance in security and economic development.
Peters’ visit underscores New Zealand’s recognition of Tonga’s strategic role in the region. In talks with Dr. Eke, discussions focused on strengthening maritime safety, supporting agriculture, and reaffirming shared values between the two nations.
“This is a region that matters deeply to us,” Peters said during the visit. “And we’re here to show that support, not only in words but in actions that make a difference.”
Easing Visas, Building Bridges
Perhaps the most tangible announcement of Peters’ Pacific mission so far was the unveiling of significant immigration reforms. Beginning in July, visitors from Pacific Islands Forum countries will be eligible for multi-entry visitor visas to New Zealand, allowing travel as often as needed for two years — double the current 12-month allowance.
In a second move, starting November, Pacific nationals traveling from Australia on a valid work, student, or family visa will no longer need a separate visa to visit New Zealand for stays up to three months. Instead, a simple electronic travel authority (NZeTA) will suffice.
“We want to make it easier and cheaper for people from across the Pacific to visit New Zealand,” Peters explained. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford noted this will also significantly reduce costs and remove unnecessary barriers for Pacific travelers.
These reforms are being seen as a direct response to long-standing calls from Pacific leaders for freer movement within the region — and as a smart soft-diplomacy step that reinforces New Zealand’s identity as part of the Pacific family.
A Region Caught in a Global Crossfire
While Peters’ visit was upbeat, the wider Pacific context is more turbulent. Just last week, Pacific Island nations were rocked by a controversial announcement from the United States imposing new tariffs. Most countries were slapped with a base 10% tariff on exports to the U.S., while others — including Fiji, Vanuatu, and Nauru — were hit even harder, with rates ranging from 22% to 32%.
In contrast, Niue and Palau were notably exempted from the list — a move that experts say reflects a lack of coherent strategy in U.S. policy rather than any calculated diplomacy. The inconsistency has sparked confusion and concern across the region.
Against this backdrop, Peters’ mission through Tonga, Hawaiʻi, and Vanuatu appears designed to signal that New Zealand remains a steady and responsive partner. By offering flexible visa access and high-level dialogue, Wellington is filling a much-needed gap in trust and engagement.
Legacy in the Making
Peters’ urgency in strengthening Pacific ties is also personal. Under the current coalition government agreement, he will serve as Deputy Prime Minister for only the first 18 months of the three-year term, before handing the role to ACT Party leader David Seymour. Peters retains the Foreign Affairs portfolio but appears focused on making these months count.
Observers suggest the visa reform package — along with his ambitious Pacific outreach — may come to define his legacy. It’s also a continuation of his earlier work under the “Pacific Reset” framework, which emphasized deeper, more respectful relationships with island nations.
This year alone, Peters will have visited 11 of the 17 other Pacific Islands Forum nations, an unprecedented pace that reflects his long-standing belief that New Zealand’s strength lies in its regional bonds.
Next Stops: Hawaiʻi and Vanuatu
From Tonga, Peters will travel to Hawaiʻi, where security will dominate the agenda. As the home of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Honolulu plays a critical role in regional stability. Peters is expected to meet with U.S. officials to discuss maritime security, military cooperation, and Pacific regional strategy.
His final stop will be in Vanuatu, where discussions will focus on post-disaster recovery, renewable energy investment, and labor mobility. Vanuatu, still recovering from recent earthquakes and cyclones, is also a major source of seasonal workers for New Zealand — a topic likely to feature prominently in bilateral talks.
Peters will also launch a major renewable energy project in Port Vila, co-funded by New Zealand and France, aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on imported diesel.
As Winston Peters’ Pacific tour continues, his visit to Tonga may well be remembered as a turning point in New Zealand’s regional diplomacy — one rooted not in grand declarations, but in practical, people-focused steps to strengthen Pacific unity in an increasingly fragmented world.
By Melino Maka
Tonga Independent News
