US not 'doing enough' in Pacific: NZ foreign minister

STORY: He said that the U.S. had neglected the region since the Second World War, and that had created a vacuum that others had filled.

Peters did not mention China by name, but jostling between Washington and Beijing for influence in the Pacific has increased in recent years over issues including security, defence, aid and infrastructure.

Peters heads to Australia on Wednesday for an inaugural joint meeting of New Zealand and Australian foreign and defence ministers. He said the talks would also canvas what joining an expanded AUKUS grouping of Australia, Britain and the U.S. would mean for Wellington.