Richard Sanders
New Zealand’s Minister for Defence Judith Collins has raised concerns over mounting geopolitical pressure on South Pacific island nations, citing the region’s untapped mineral and marine resources as a growing target for global powers.
In an interview ahead of her diplomatic visit to Washington, Collins emphasized the need for stronger regional cooperation to safeguard the autonomy of smaller Pacific states. She pointed to the increasing strategic interest in the area, particularly in its seabed rich with rare earth elements vital for technologies like electric vehicle batteries and advanced defense systems.
“The Pacific holds immense value, but that wealth isn’t benefiting its people,” Collins said from her parliamentary office. She stressed that the region’s vulnerability to exploitation demands urgent attention from neighboring allies.
While she refrained from naming specific countries, Collins referenced China’s recent activities in the area, including a February agreement with the Cook Islands to pursue deep-sea mining research. The Cook Islands, with a population of just 17,000, maintains close ties to New Zealand through shared military, diplomatic, and citizenship arrangements.
Collins, who also oversees intelligence and space affairs, is set to meet with senior officials in the Trump administration, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. She underscored the United States’ Pacific identity, noting its extensive coastline and territories along the ocean.
“The U.S. is a Pacific nation—not just because of Guam or Hawaii, but because California and Alaska border the Pacific. Even Russia is a Pacific nation,” she remarked.
Collins warned that without clear international regulations and proactive regional engagement, the promises of mineral wealth could be stripped from island nations by dominant global interests. She called for a collective effort to ensure that development in the Pacific benefits its people rather than external powers.
