New Zealand and Fiji sign renewed five-year Duavata Partnership covering trade, security and climate

Summary

New Zealand and Fiji signed a renewed Duavata Partnership in Auckland on July 16, replacing the first framework that ran from 2022 to 2025. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Fiji's Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Sakiasi Ditoka formalized the five-year agreement, which runs to 2030 and covers five priority areas: democracy and values, economic resilience, peace and security, social well-being, and climate and disaster resilience. Both governments set a target of NZ$2 billion (approximately US$1.16 billion) in two-way trade by 2030 and committed to expanded maritime security cooperation, intelligence sharing, cyber security and humanitarian assistance in the Pacific. Climate change is named in the text as "the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and well-being of Pacific people."

Why it matters

The Duavata renewal reaffirms New Zealand's bilateral engagement with Fiji after years of tension during Fiji's political transition period. The maritime security and intelligence-sharing provisions matter in a Pacific region where China and Western-aligned powers are competing for influence. Climate finance commitments directly affect Fiji's resilience planning for sea-level rise.

What to watch

• Progress toward the NZ$2 billion annual trade target by 2030
• How maritime security and intelligence-sharing commitments are implemented, and whether joint exercises follow
• Climate finance flows and renewable energy projects funded under the partnership