2. Foreign Affairs—New Zealand's Role in the Pacific and Stockholm EmbassyANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister of Foreign AffairsForeign Affairs—New Zealand's Role in the Pacific and Stockholm Embassy2. ANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What recent announcements has he made relating to New Zealand's role in the Pacific and the wider world? [Interruption] SPEAKER: Order! Before the member starts David Bennett is not to interject for the rest of this question time. Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS (Minister of Foreign Affairs): Yesterday we announced the first steps this Government has taken to ensure New Zealand protects its prosperity security and democracy after a decade of neglect. To this end we have committed to a $1 billion foreign affairs package composed of $150 million of additional operational spending over four years which will bring 50 new full-time positions and diplomats amongst other objectives; second $40 million of additional capital spending to bolster New Zealand's overseas offices; and third $714 million in additional funding for New Zealand's Overseas Development Assistance—Hon Maggie Barry: What about funding Te Reo? Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: —directed primarily towards the Pacific region. And if that member wants to talk about Te Reo I was in the party that first funded Te Reo and she wouldn't know that because she's only been here for five minutes. Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: Why are the announcements in foreign affairs and trade in Budget 2018 necessary for protecting New Zealanders' safety and prosperity?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: That is a seriously responsible question. The prosperity and safety of New Zealanders rest on the ability of this country to protect and advance its interests offshore and that includes trade. Trade has been declining as a percentage of GDP despite the previous Government's pledge to increase it. We announced yesterday changes which will see us facing an increasingly difficult world with security challenges sovereignty nuclear proliferation terrorism myrtle rust cyber-crime domestic affairs interference from other countries transnational crime and humanitarian crises. The rules-based international system is struggling to adapt and we're going to step up and do our job for the first time for a long time.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: Has the Minister seen any other reports on overseas development assistance budget increases?Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: Perchance I have. Following directly on from our speech last night the Australian Government announced its largest ever aid commitment to the Pacific of $1.3 billion. This reflects a shared commitment to assist our closest neighbours and advance our common interests together in the Pacific region. It follows on from an agreement we entered into when we spoke at the Lowy Institute in March in Sydney and I'm delighted that my Australian colleague has stepped up as well to arrest a decline in their funding. I'd also like to acknowledge our close partners including the United Kingdom the EU France and Japan. Three new high commissions are starting for the UK in the Pacific very shortly and alongside that a greater commitment from the EU in terms of wanting to work with us and also a re-engagement with France. It's all great progress. Thank you.Hon Todd McClay: What explanation can he give to hard-working New Zealand taxpayers of why an embassy in Stockholm is more important than universally cheaper GP visits free dental care for seniors—SPEAKER: Order! That's two questions.Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: Because my fellow citizens in this country are enlightened human beings and understand international policy and foreign affairs in particular better than the Opposition I don't have to explain that; they understand the necessity of that. In the last poll there ever was done 72 percent of New Zealanders said they supported that as did Australia last week as reported in the Sydney Morning Herald where a majority of Australians also said that they should step up and assist in overseas aid.