‘Highly likely’ NZ will soon join Australia-Fiji defence pact - Acting Prime Minister David Seymour

Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left, and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance on July 6.

Acting Prime Minister David Seymour says it’s “highly likely” New Zealand will soon sign up to the Ocean of Peace Alliance struck by Australia and Fiji last week.

The deal marked a significant uplift in the relationship between both countries, who have now formally promised to come to one another’s aid if either is attacked - and allowed other Pacific states to join if both original signatories agree.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has questioned the timing of a nuclear-capable missile test by China just hours after the agreement was struck, saying it would be an “extraordinary coincidence” it the two things occurred so close together by chance.

He’s also pushed for New Zealand to adopt a tough approach to this sort of activity saying: “[China] should find not mush but resistance and steel and preparation.”

Seymour has now said it’s “highly likely” New Zealand will soon join the Ocean of Peace Alliance.

“Let’s not kid ourselves. The world is changing. You see the Ocean of Peace agreement between Australia and Fiji. It's highly likely that we will soon join that,” Seymour told reporters at Parliament.

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Seymour said last Monday’s missile was deeply concerning and he believed China would pay the price for it.

“We've been very clear that we don't believe this is how friends treat each other and it's for them to reflect on what sort of relationship they'd like to have because you can't have it both ways.

“You can't say we are a good friend and fire missiles around somebody's country when they've politely said this is a nuclear-free zone.”

Cabinet had given “provisional approval” for the government to negotiate and seek to join the Ocean of Peace Alliance and the opposition would normally be briefed on any progress, Seymour said.

“Certainly I would think once a deal was on the table, it would be wise for New Zealanders and all of us to make it as bipartisan as possible.”

Labour leader Chris Hipkins said he was aware of New Zealand’s interest in joining the alliance and supported it.

“I've had some informal conversations with the Prime Minister about that. I'm broadly supportive of it and I think there is an opportunity for New Zealand to be part of that conversation and potentially part of that arrangement.

“There's no question that both Fiji and Australia are very close partners of New Zealand, and that we have a lot of common interest in this area.”