Former Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said goodbye in Parliament

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern paid a personal tribute to former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters tonight at a function in Parliament, saying he had stood by his side through difficult times.

“I always remember the day after the terrorist attack in Christchurch when we traveled to Christchurch together,” he said at a reception that included the diplomatic corps, senior officials from the Foreign and Trade Minister and parliamentarians.

“You were by my side that day and I do not underestimate the value and importance … I put in having your wisdom and your support on that darkest day.

“But you brought that force with you to the region. You recognized that it was important that we immediately work alongside our Muslim neighbors to make sure they understood the firm stand we would take against what happened off our shores.”

He had immediately traveled to Indonesia, Turkey and Malaysia to engage in talks with his counterparts in the Islamic world “to tell our story, to make sure that we maintain that relationship of trust and understanding.”

Peters, whose New Zealand First Party was ousted from Parliament in the October general election, wiped his eye several times during the tribute.

“You will leave a legacy that we are very proud of and it is my pleasure to be here today to say the simple words, thank you. ‘

Referring to him as “Mr. Peters” throughout, he especially mentioned the reestablishment of the Pacific, which increased New Zealand’s focus on the Pacific.

“The Pacific Reset became the hallmark of our mandate from a foreign affairs perspective and you were the architect of it.”

Ardern recounted their first trip together on a mission to the Pacific during which he had seen first-hand their love and appreciation for the region and the relationships it had built.

He also said he respected Peters for his policy of avoiding political appointments to diplomatic posts, with the exception of former Labor vice leader Dame Annette King, high commissioner in Australia.

“You had an absolute vision that you would restore diplomatic capacity, that you would restore the notion of overseas posts to career diplomats.

“He was adamant about having career diplomats taking overseas positions and I respect the position he took on that and I think Mfat has done that too.

“He worked hard to restore our relationships with traditional friends in the Commonwealth, to build our relationships with like-minded friends, even in North America, a tangible example of which is the Kiwi Act.”

Peters thanked him for the tribute and said he was overwhelmed.

He did not say anything about the electoral defeat or about his plans.

He paid tribute to diplomats, saying that the diplomatic corps was “the most special bureaucracy in the world.”

“There are no objections. There can be no argument about it. They are above all other nations, layers of excellence, and bureaucracy can be good when properly organized and run by the right men and women or, I dare say that, the right women and men. “

What had underpinned New Zealand’s foreign policy was coherence and continuity, Peters said.

Both are pursued with great professional skill by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

“The coherence and continuity of New Zealand’s foreign policy is also reinforced by those goals that overwhelmingly transcend party interests: country first, party second, that’s the New Zealand way.”

He said he wanted to wish the new Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Associate Minister Su’a William Sio the best in their terms.

“Know that there are people inside and outside the building whose experiences are available to you if you ever need them.

“It has been a personal privilege to serve as Foreign Minister twice and over a span of 15 years, and sharpening our political focus in our neighborhood, the Pacific, has taken on increasing strategic importance.

“The blue continent is a special place,” he said.

“So far it has not been conquered. So far it has been seen to be too big. There have been three failed attempts in the last 250 years, but the Pacific still remains free for its various peoples. But future historical pressures should not be taken for granted. seated .

“The challenges of the Pacific are multifaceted and profound.”

He made a special mention of Japan and Indonesia’s interest in the Pacific and said it would be beneficial to New Zealand.

It has been a privilege to be Foreign Minister, but also a lot of fun.

“Unfortunately, there are so many cities that you leave without ever having seen them, you arrive in the morning getting off the plane, showering, putting on a new suit and going directly to the meetings, but we are so far from many parts of the world, that has been It’s part of the job of many foreign ministers. But it’s been fun. “

Peters said that what worked for him were some simple fundamentals: “Being intellectually curious about history and other cultures helps understanding; having a good office with smart people to challenge your thinking seriously helps decision-making; and knowing that New Zealand’s diplomatic and national values ​​and the foreign policy that projects them to the outside world is the stone on which he stands. “