New Zealand Welcomes $60 Million U.S. Energy Aid for Pacific Islands

Foreign Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand welcomed the United States’ decision to provide $60 million in energy support to Pacific Island countries. The money was announced by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau during the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau. Peters noted that the aid comes after discussions in Washington in April about the Middle East conflict’s impact on the Pacific and the need for tangible help. He said the region’s isolation and heavy reliance on imported fuel make it especially vulnerable to oil price shocks. New Zealand’s Pacific development programme focuses on economic and energy resilience, aiming to cut fuel demand through renewable generation and energy‑efficiency improvements.