Melanesia: Opportunities and Challenges and Implications for New Zealand

Marion Crawshaw, Senior Fellow, Centre for Strategic Studies, Victoria University, Wellington

Friday, 3 May 2024 2:00pm

Hawke's Bay

Havelock North Club, 4 Campbell Street, Havelock North

Marion Crawshaw will talk about the challenges and opportunities facing Melanesia, with particular focus on the Solomon Islands.

The countries of Melanesia - PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu - share many commonalities but also real differences. 

The region, and especially the Solomons, has been much in the news over the past few years, with heightened activity by external powers.  Particular interest is thus being shown in the general election this week in the Solomons, to see if this provides a clue as to what direction the country will take amidst this heightened geopolitical competition in the region.

Marion, who is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University in Wellington, is well placed to guide us through the complexities this region presents.  She has served as New Zealand High Commissioner to both the Solomon Islands and to Papua New Guinea, as well as serving in Fiji earlier in her diplomatic career.  

Door charge of $8, to cover venue and afternoon tea costs.

Contact the Hawke's Bay branch

IAN HILL, BRANCH CHAIRMAN

hbnziia@gmail.com

Marion Crawshaw will talk about the challenges and opportunities facing Melanesia, with particular focus on the Solomon Islands.

The countries of Melanesia - PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu - share many commonalities but also real differences. 

The region, and especially the Solomons, has been much in the news over the past few years, with heightened activity by external powers.  Particular interest is thus being shown in the general election this week in the Solomons, to see if this provides a clue as to what direction the country will take amidst this heightened geopolitical competition in the region.

Marion, who is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University in Wellington, is well placed to guide us through the complexities this region presents.  She has served as New Zealand High Commissioner to both the Solomon Islands and to Papua New Guinea, as well as serving in Fiji earlier in her diplomatic career.  

Door charge of $8, to cover venue and afternoon tea costs.

Membership

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