Our Minister

Rt Hon Winston Peters

NZAID reports directly to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rt Hon Winston Peters. Mr Peters was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs on 19 October 2005. He is the leader of New Zealand First and is also Minister for Racing and Associate Minister for Senior Citizens.

Mr Peters says the Pacific Islands constitutes a region of fundamental significance for New Zealand and New Zealanders. He is committed to deepening New Zealand's relationships in the Pacific, including the development assistance that New Zealand provides through NZAID, which he views as a fundamental part of our bilateral relationships in the region.

"Our links with the Pacific islands reach out across the ocean and reach back into the heart of our country. We are talking about a neighbourhood – a shared space that shapes New Zealand's own identity and guides much of our diplomacy."