Fiji, Sept. 22 -- New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand has undertaken the most intensive programme of Pacific diplomacy in its history, with the government using the region's strategic importance to bring in new development partners and strengthen regional relationships.

Addressing the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs in Wellington, Peters said the Pacific had remained a core component of New Zealand's foreign policy over the past three years.

"Working closely with Australia, New Zealand's only formal ally, we have over the past three years undertaken the most intensive programme of Pacific diplomacy in New Zealand's history," Peters said.

He said New Zealand had set out to visit all 17 other Pacif...