Analysis - China's draft security agreement with Solomon Islands is described as "gravely concerning" by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the government introduces its controversial fair pay legislation and David Seymour's "bottom line" for a coalition with National is described as a stunt.
Jacinda Ardern with previous Solomon Islands prime minister Rick Houenipwela in 2018 Photo: AFP / Tolga Akmen
A draft security agreement between China and Solomon Islands caused international concern this week, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern describing it as "gravely concerning".
The draft was leaked online and indicated Solomon Islands would allow Beijing to send in military forces and make regular ship visits, RNZ reported.
Ardern's reaction during a Morning Report interview on Monday was picked up by international news agency Reuters, which ran a story quoting RNZ and saying the draft agreement had prompted alarm in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
"We see such acts as the potential militarisation of the region and also see very little reason in terms of the Pacific security for such a need and presence," Ardern said.
Later on Monday, at her post-cabinet media conference, Ardern said there had been a New Zealand presence in the Solomons for a number of years, and New Zealand had been working hard with its Pacific neighbours to support any training or capability they needed.
"This is our backyard," she said.
"The question that has to be asked is 'what gaps remain which were not being fulfilled?' I can't see any and that raised the question of what the intention is with these arrangements."
Ardern said the China issue had been around since late last year and she had raised it directly with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare before Christmas. He had given assurances about relationships and the security arrangements that were being entered into. "Obviously, we were not satisfied by that," she said.
Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare (right) with Li Ming, China's first ambassador to the Solomon Islands. Photo: George Herming - Government Communications Unit
On Tuesday, Reuters reported Sogavare had described the backlash to the security negotiations with China as "very insulting".
"We are not pressured in any way by our new friends and there is no intention whatsoever to ask China to build a military base in the Solomon Islands," he said.
The Herald's Audrey Young said Ardern's comments were a marked shift in her language directed towards China, and mentioned the prime minister's 'this is our backyard' comment.
"She didn't say 'not China's' but that was clearly implied."
Young said the reason for the grave concern was obvious - "it is that China's warships and security forces could finally find a home away from home in the region as its rivalry with the United States steps up."
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the proposed agreement, while within Solomon Islands' sovereign rights, risked destabilising arrangements that had long ensured the region's security.
She said New Zealand's presence - five soldiers and four police officers - would remain in the country. The deployment is to be reviewed in May.
Solomon Islands has a population of fewer than a million and lies 2000km north-east of Australia.
Locals look on as New Zealand soldiers and police guard the Honiara Magistrates Court in 2006, when opposition member of parliament Charles Dausabea appeared in court. Photo: AFP / William West
Parliament resumed this week after a brief recess and the government introduced its Fair Pay Agreements Bill.
It would create a new system for collective bargaining broadly similar to Australia's modern awards system, Stuff reported.
It aims to set a floor of pay and conditions for workers across an industry, particularly low-wage sectors like cleaning and security.
Bargaining between employees and employers in a sector could be initiatiated by either 10 percent of the total workforce or 1000 employees, and businesses would have to bargain with a union representing those workers.
The business sector and the National Party oppose the bill, but with Labour's majority there is no doubt about it being passed.
Stuff political editor Luke Malpass said it would become a key battleground for the next election.
"It will create - or rather recreate - industry-wide awards that have not existed in New Zealand for decades," he said.
"This is a key Labour promise to the union movement and will significantly empower unions."
Malpass said although the government expected to legislate for fair pay agreements (FPAs) by the end of the year, it was unclear if any would be in force before the election.
"If there were a change of government in 2023, unpicking FPAs would be a relatively simple affair," he said.
"Doing it in 2026 when far more of the economy was covered by these new, national pay deals would be quite another."
ACT leader David Seymour. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
ACT leader David Seymour's call for a referendum on co-governance, which he said would be a bottom line in any coalition talks with National, didn't go down well with his would-be senior partner.
Seymour last week launched a petition for a referendum on co-governance, saying the Labour Party was "trying to make an unequal society on purpose" with different political rights and duties for Māori, RNZ reported.
National Party leader Christopher Luxon on Tuesday said no to a referendum but did leave the door slightly ajar by not ruling it out at some future time.
On Morning Report on Wednesday, he repeated his stance, saying a conversation was needed on what co-governance actually meant. "Our view is that we're not ready for a referendum now," he said.
Seymour said Luxon should keep an open mind "and not run away at the first sign of controversy".
Luxon laughed off suggestions his refusal to back a referendum meant he was afraid of the issue, the Herald reported.
Māori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Māori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said Seymour's call led to an immediate spike in abusive correspondence. "Surely, the race-baiting has got to go," she said.
Seymour said he wasn't responsible for the abusive correspondence.
Claire Trevett, the Herald's political editor, said Seymour's "bottom line" was ridiculous and the referendum idea was a stunt.
"It is inconceivable Seymour would side with Labour rather than National if he had the balance of power simply because National said no to his idea of a referendum," Trevett said.
"Seymour's goal is largely to keep ACT's own vote up under the onslaught of a resurgent National Party.
"That requires trying to outflank NZ First leader Winston Peters, who hunts in the same territory by tapping into the suspicion and concern of those voters who might be swayed by the issue."
Labour list MP Louisa Wall resigned after 14 years in politics. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
Labour MP Louisa Wall announced her resignation from Parliament this week, ending a 14-year career.
Wall was first elected as a list MP in 2008 and then held the Manurewa seat from 2011 to 2020.
During the candidate selection process before the 2020 election, Wall was challenged for the Manurewa nomination, which was very unusual for a sitting MP.
Her opponent was Arena Williams, and there was a row over her late nomination.
A day before selection, Wall withdrew her candidacy and went on the party list. Williams won the seat.
Wall referred to those events when she announced her decision to leave. "My resignation has come about following events during the 2020 election," she said.
She was best known for drafting the bill that legalised same-sex marriage, a member's bill which was drawn from the ballot in 2012 and eventually passed on a conscience vote.
"As we said at the time, the sky wouldn't fall in and it hasn't," she said. "In fact, it's funny to look back at all the abuse we endured at the time."
*Peter Wilson is a life member of Parliament's press gallery, 22 years as NZPA's political editor and seven as parliamentary bureau chief for NZ Newswire.
