Barbara Dreaver: How China-US competition plays out in Vanuatu | Q+A 2024

1News Pacific Correspondent Barbara Dreaver examines how geostrategic competition between the US and China impacts countries like Vanuatu.
Q+A spoke with Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai while he was in New Zealand for bilateral talks. Salwai said China hadn't yet made demands of his country in return for development funds. He added China had been more receptive than the West to Vanuatu's calls for help to build its infrastructure.
Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

[@budawang77]

It's great to see New Zealand TV really trying to understand the deeper issues of their Pacific neighbourhood.

[@tigertiger1699]

We like to make out that we’re a good friend/ family to the pacific nations…, but are we…?

[@LWJCarroll]

06:23. Palace? The Prime Minister corrected Jack that it is in fact their Parliament buildings and pointed out China was the only country to step up to get this done. After asking around countries like New Zealand etc who didn’t step forward. After all this is an important part of a countries democratic functioning. I was disappointed to see we here in NZ didn’t help out. Laurie. NZ. 😊

[@karlbarkley9572]

Yes exactly if Our NZ Government can send $Millions to a War in Ukraine then why can't it help our Pacific Neighbours when we are taking their Workers who are hopefully Paying Tax in NZ & are paying Rent & Food in NZ as well as Flying too & fro from their Islands via Air NZ etc ! It's Our Government Job too Protect these Islands & NZ plus Australia from allowing Chinese Strangle Hold ???

[@timtowers7997]

Double the number of RSE workers: what a winner. Pacific Island nations lose skilled labour, we see almost all their earnings leaving the country, and NZ unemployed aren't put into a position where they have to take on seasonal work. The winners: growers who get cheap workers, many of whom are treated badly.

[@user-FUCKYOU18]

We NEVER voted for this

[@karlbarkley9572]

RSE worker's are Taking Kiwi Job's in Our Orchards & those Orchards have become Huge Operations which has taken Over the smaller NZ Family Orchards! I've lived around Motueka & have talked with Kiwi Worker's who have said that The RSE worker's are Guaranteed a minimum 30 Hour's Work per week & Our Kiwi

[@karlbarkley9572]

And Our Kiwi Worker's don't get a 40 Hour Week & as it's Seasonal how can they pay their Rent or Mortgage Payment's??? Also Post Con-CoVert NZ Hasn't Returned to a High Number of Back Packer Work Force as in Previous Year's! So NZ has lost the Kiwi Managers at Grassroots on the Ground in the Orchards who would normally Oversee Our Workers! And is it that the RSE worker's have their own Manager's who speak their Language which isn't English??? There's 10000's of Kiwi Worker's who need the Work But they Deserve to be PAID Fairly for what they do ! Orchard Worker's are Paid per Bin of Fruit Picked & I've heard Over the Last 30 Year's it hasn't gone up much compared to the NZ Cost of Living????

[@carolecolquhoun7551]

Enjoyed this, great conversation with the Vanuatu PM and then a comprehensive analysis.

[@dylanc2860]

IT JUST MADE ME MAD

[@NCM-xy8ow]

When a business goes to creditors for funds or loans, do they publish the terms on TV?

[@MTNGear]

Restricting your peoples choices because there are better opportunities abroad potentially leads to worse things

[@darrelllingman63]

Beware Greeks bearing gifts as the saying goes! Nothing is free!

[@Rexident97]

7:42 if you can’t afford a parliament maybe you’re not ready for democracy

[@LWJCarroll]

But it is still needed and we here in NZ should have stepped forward to help get this important part built and running. Being obviously ready and wanting to get it up and running. Laurie. NZ.

[@whos_azariahh]

Over simplicity