PM James Marape and I met with the President of Indonesia. The first trilateral dialogue following our appointment as the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) special envoys to Indonesia in relation to our brothers and sisters in West Papua.

'We're not judges': Pacific Islands Forum leaders confirm Baron Waqa is secretary-general rnz.co.nz/international/paci…

Earlier today, the Melanesian Spearhead Group Caucus appointed me as a Special Envoy to address the West Papua issue. Alongside Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea (PNG), we've been tasked with meeting the President of Indonesia to discuss this pressing matter.

Solomon PM prioritizes domestic issues over meeting with US President Biden at the US Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting in Washington. In a press conference, Sogavare said he desired to address crucial legislative matters than spending time at the Leaders gathering @ginakekea

Right. Finally have the MSG Leaders Summit communique. Melanesian leaders reject ULMWP's bid for full membership. No consensus. Benny Wenda and co will be bitterly disappointed by this, while Indonesia will be very pleased 1/

FWIW, speaking as someone who criticises NZ aid a lot, I doubt MFAT would have withdrawn or paused the budget support, or that if they did, there was probably good cause to. That's my guess, at least. rnz.co.nz/international/paci…

#Solomon Islands PM Manasseh Sogavare is on an official visit to China from Sunday through July 15th. Sogavare's visit comes over a year after the two countries expressed willingness to deepen bilateral cooperation.

The MSG Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) has successfully concluded with Members approving the outcomes of the MSG Senior Officials Meeting yesterday. Members reaffirmed the importance of the meeting and urged the Group not to lose sight of the noble vision of the MSG Founders.

Australia and New Zealand are more than friends. We are whānau – family. And from July 1, there will be a direct pathway for eligible New Zealand citizens to Australian Citizenship.

This is the official list of countries that have the luxury of visa free travel to NZ. Not a single Pacific Island Country! And this needs addressing. ➡️ We export largely to the Pacific. ➡️ We use their workforce. ➡️ We have deep relationships with the Pacific. ➡️ We are the biggest Pacific city in the world. ➡️ We now call ourself a Pacific nation. It is a financial and geographical burden on so many Pacific Islanders to apply for visitor only travel visas into New Zealand. We are not asking for freebies in NZ. We pay for everything just like everyone on this list. So what is keeping the PICS out of this list? Are we not good enough? @CarmelSepuloni @michaelwoodnz @chrishipkins It would be helpful if the government can look into this.

It is an incred. Jrne with QICPE. A tough time of reflection, authenticity & suprting others. I know Sol Islands don’t recog. women as Anglican Chaplains, however, I am one. I wonder when? I wonder if pple will accept the Holy Spirit to change some beliefs & values? #chaplains

Yes, we will support them [United Liberation Movement for West Papua] because they are Melanesians. I am more hopeful [ULMWP gaining full MSG membership]. I am not taking it for granted. The dynamics may have changed slightly but the principles are the same.

Great to start work at the Australia Pacific Security College – really looking forward to getting out to the Pacific, and to welcoming Pacific friends to Canberra.

No confidence votes in Melanesian parliaments are as cheap as chips, and have been for far longer than the CCP has been nosing around. Pretending that the personal enmity between Sogavare and Suidani is driven by geopolitical concerns is... er, not a complete telling of the tale.