39186 (2026). Vanushi Walters to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

39186 (2026). Vanushi Walters to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What engagements or commitments, if any, required the Minister of Foreign Affairs to return to New Zealand before the formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting on 2 September 2026?

Rt Hon Winston Peters: It is unclear what is being referred to as the “formal Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting”. A range of meetings were held in Palau over the space of a week which, collectively, are referred to as the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. The Minister spent four days in Palau to attend the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, and has spent more time in the Pacific and visited more Pacific Islands Forum countries this Parliamentary term than any previous New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs.