Fiji, Feb. 5 -- New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters is heading on a whistle-stop tour of Polynesia this week - hard on the heels of his visit to Australia that resulted in stronger security and defence ties with our Tasman neighbour.

He'll have some reassuring to do in his bilateral meetings with Pacific leaders after New Zealand came out supportive of Australia's AUKUS plans with the U.S and UK to get nuclear-powered submarines, a move many Pacific countries are deeply concerned about.

Peters, along with Dr Shane Reti, who holds the Pacific Peoples and Health portfolios, will meet with the Acting Prime Minister in Tonga and the Prime Ministers of the Cook Islands and Samoa.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Health Minister a...