OIA reponse regarding Five Eyes Ministerial Meeting held 14/02/24.

MFAT response to OIA request. Winston Peters did not receive any written advice regarding AUKUS from 12/03/24 - 08/04/24 in his capacity as FM.

“EEZ seabed resources significantly change the geopolitical calculus... Joint U.S. military commands are assessing [the possibility of] making American Samoa the Asia Pacific hub for critical mineral receiving and refining.”

Sacrifice zone.

Few Pacific people see a meaningful distinction between AUKUS “Pillars”, nor feel its military focus or “Indo-Pacific” framings respect regional visions of security.

For New Zealand, relying on technicalities and tightly curated public messaging, this brings reputational risk.

All revved up with no place to go?