8. Question No. 8—DefenceVANUSHI WALTERS (Labour—Upper Harbour) to the Minister of DefenceQuestion No. 8—Defence8. VANUSHI WALTERS (Labour—Upper Harbour) to the Minister of Defence: What recent defence arrangements has New Zealand made with Fiji?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Defence): Bula vinaka Mr Speaker. New Zealand and Fiji are close friends and military partners and we share a view that it is for the Pacific Island countries to determine the security arrangements for our own region. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces—or RFMF—have a long history of exercising together and partnering on regional security climate response and humanitarian challenges. This recently included Fiji's vital assistance to us following Cyclone Gabrielle. Last week in Suva I joined with Fiji's Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua to sign two arrangements: a Status of Forces Agreement—or SOFA—which sets out the legal framework for closer military cooperation within our respective territories; and secondly a statement of intent to outline priorities for closer defence cooperation. These two arrangements complement the strength and spirit of New Zealand and Fiji's broad relationship as outlined in the Duavata Relationship Statement of Partnership.Vanushi Walters: Minister what are the areas for closer cooperation set out in the statement of intent?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: The statement of intent reaffirms New Zealand and Fiji's joint commitment as security partners in our region based on a shared vision for a secure stable and resilient Pacific for current and future generations. It's been agreed that between 2022 and 2025 we will include a joint focus on training maritime security and coordination of disaster and humanitarian responses. It also includes specific initiatives such as boosting personnel exchanges and secondments more formalised dialogue between our civilian agencies—such as the Ministry of Defence and Manatū Kaupapa Waonga—and between Ministers bilaterally and multilaterally within our region.Vanushi Walters: What's the purpose of the Status of Forces Agreement?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: The Status of Forces Agreement provides a clear legal framework for cooperation between our two militaries in accordance with our respective laws and regulations. It will strengthen cooperation and good conduct of joint or unilateral visits; exchanges; maritime air and land-based exercises; and other activities between the NZDF and the RFMF. Because we know that climate change is the most pressing security threat for island countries the agreement also commits both parties to minimise adverse effects of activities on the environment.Vanushi Walters: Is this the first Status of Forces Agreement we've entered into with a Pacific country?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: No we have a range of agreements to strengthen our partnerships with Pacific countries. This includes Status of Forces Agreements with the Cook Islands Timor-Leste Tuvalu Tonga Australia and France. It's a positive development for New Zealand and the region to now have agreed a SOFA with Fiji.Vanushi Walters: How do these defence arrangements contribute to the overall relationship between New Zealand and Fiji?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: As the Prime Minister said earlier this month our countries—Fiji and New Zealand—are connected by a kinship forged in Pacific culture identity and interests founded on our long history friendship and mutual respect." Building on our longstanding military cooperation reaffirms the strength and spirit of New Zealand and Fiji's relationship as outlined in the Duavata Relationship Statement of Partnership and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. It sits alongside other contributions this Government has recently announced such as the $11.1 million of climate change support for Fiji to respond to the impacts of climate change."