1. Hon MARK GOSCHE (Labour—Maungakiekie) Link to this
to the Minister of Defence
What role is the New Zealand Defence Force playing in Tonga?
Hon PHIL GOFF (Minister of Defence) Link to this
The New Zealand Defence Force was sent to Tonga, at the request of the Tongan Government, to enable commercial aircraft to resume flights to Tonga, and to facilitate a return to calm in the capital, Nuku’alofa. The role of the New Zealand Defence Force, in conjunction with the New Zealand Police, is to support the rule of law and to restore an environment for the peaceful pursuit of democracy in Tonga.
That we are there at all is a reflection of the level of shock and dismay of Tongan people at the massive damage to Nuku’alofa, and the loss of six lives on 16 November. Since then the situation has been relatively calm. The king’s speech to Parliament today was positive. In his speech he encouraged rebuilding and reconciliation, and invited Parliament to develop and put to him proposals for reform, and a timetable for that reform. In these circumstances—and if the peaceful situation continues—the New Zealand Defence Force should be able to be withdrawn relatively soon.
Will the effect of the New Zealand Defence Force and New Zealand Police presence in Tonga be to entrench the current system?
No. The purpose for our being there was to stop further loss of life and property, and to help create an environment where reform and reconciliation could be progressed. It is, of course, for the Tongan people, and not New Zealand, to determine their political future and the way forward. However, New Zealand has consistently expressed support for Tonga’s transition to a democratic and an accountable system of governance, and, on request, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs has pointed out, we have provided and will continue to provide further assistance to Tonga in order to help that transition to democracy.
Jeanette Fitzsimons Link to this
Can the Minister categorically assure the House that New Zealand troops will not be involved in any policing activity that could send a message, inadvertently or not, that we are there to protect the Tongan Government from the demands of its own people for democracy?
As I have just said, we are certainly not there to entrench the current status quo; we are there to protect lives and property. I note, for example, the Tongan Advisory Council yesterday put out a press statement in which it stated it unanimously supported the presence of New Zealand forces. But the democratic process will not be assisted by massive damage and loss of life. It will be assisted by an environment in which the authorities are encouraged to implement the recommendations of the national committee that was set up. That committee was supported by the New Zealand Government, and it will continue to be supported by the New Zealand Government. There are no grounds for saying that New Zealand is there other than in the capacity of being a neighbour and a good friend and of creating the environment for progress.