The Foreign Affairs Minister is set to meet with Ministers from Niue, Fiji and Samoa today.
It follows Australia signing defence pacts with Papua New Guinea last year, and with Fiji last week.
Winston Peters said in uncertain geostrategic times, it is more important than ever to connect.
Fiji’s Sakiasi Ditoka and Samoa’s Afioga Fata Ryan Schuster – who are attending a Ministerial meeting with Trade Minister Todd McClay – will also meet with Peters in Auckland.
Niue’s Prime Minister, Dalton Tagelagi, will meet with Peters for the first time since being re-elected in May.
