Peters' PIF Hosting Commitment Sparks Treasury Concerns

New Zealand's Treasury has revealed that Foreign Minister Winston Peters made a commitment to host the Pacific Islands Forum in 2027 without Cabinet approval.

The decision, announced in September, will cost taxpayers $20 million this year and next. However, the Treasury advised Finance Minister Nicola Willis in March to exclude a NZ$30m funding proposal to cover hosting costs in 2027 due to concerns about value for money.

In a separate memoire, Willis was recommended to reduce the funding package from $20 million to $10 million after adjusting for inflation. This is because the Forum has expanded significantly since its last hosting in 2011 and includes more complicated components such as policy work.