Prior to the election, Winston Peters argued that New Zealand's foreign policy should be more focused on the South Pacific. NZ First's foreign affairs manifesto included a specific promise to "enhance the special New Zealand association and interest in the South Pacific region" and "make the Pacific [our] major focus of attention". It's rather strange then that he will not be attending the Pacific Islands Forum in Papua New Guinea.
Though perhaps this is how it is meant to be for the next term: Helen Clark will serve as de facto foreign minister (at least for important negotiations), while Winston enhances his special association and interest in the small part of the Pacific known as Courtney Place.
there's a unsubstantiated rumour that his unofficial job title is in fact "Minister for Cocktail Parties".
ReplyDeleteprobably BS though.
As a reporter in the Cook Islands, Winston Peters has my undying admiration as exposer of the Winebox documents. Strange, also, then, that he has been seen holidaying here, frequently in the wine-dine company of offshore bankers.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, I guess Clark's read all the briefing papers and has a game plan.
ReplyDeleteYou couldn't expect Winnie to do the same in a week and a half - being so busy scrapping over the seating plan in the Chamber, having screaming matches with Barry Soper in the Green Parrot, and re-writing German history and all...