FBI director Kash Patels secret South Pacific tour saw New Zealand welcome a new FBI office as the region battles a worsening methamphetamine epidemic, writesPatrick Drennan.

ON 30 JULY, FBI headKash Patelflew to the South Pacific to raise Americas profile in the region. Australia and New Zealand are part of theFive Eyesintelligence-sharing alliance, along with the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. After a secret dash to Australia,where he metAustralian Home Affairs MinisterTony Burke, he flew on to New Zealand

New Zealand is a small country and Patel's plane was immediatelyspotted at Wellington airportby a rookie reporter. Nevertheless, secrecy was generally maintained and even Finance MinisterNicola Williswas surprised to see lots of handsome men in suits, who look like they had guns (Patels entourage) in the Parliamentary Offices, affectionately known as theBeehive.

Patel met with New Zealand spy agency heads and senior ministers, including Foreign MinisterWinston Peters(pictured on X). He then announced that the FBI will be opening an office in the American embassy in Wellington.

Australia's ports and harbours have long been a hotbed of criminal activity, particularly in wartime.

The fortified embassy is just up the road from the 150-year-oldSt Pauls Church. The church has a plaque and a flag,commemoratingtheUnited States Marine Corps(Second Division), which assisted New Zealand in fighting off the Japanese invasion in World War II. Many Pacific nations, including Australia and New Zealand, have strong military and historical links to the United States.

And like many Pacific nations, New Zealand is facing the scourge of imported illegal drugs. The assistance of a dedicated FBI unit in the region is generally welcomed.

On 25 June, New Zealand Customs and Police, working with American authorities, intercepted a scheme toimport methamphetamine and cocaineinto the country in unclaimed luggage. The haul was valued at over $270 million. Fifteen baggage handlers were arrested.

Fiji, Samoa and Tonga are overwhelmed with class A drugs, infecting not just the cities but all levels of society.

Fiji lies directly between Australia and New Zealand, countries that attract some of the highest illegal drug prices in the world. In January 2024, Fijian police seized three tonnes of methamphetamine, worthhundreds of millions of dollars. Children were using and peddling these drugs.

In Tonga, there is amethamphetamine epidemicwith consumption believed to have reached all levels of Tongan society, including church ministers, civil servants, politicians, local chieftains and the police. One of the youngest dealers in arecent investigationwas only eight years old.

Award-winning Television New Zealand reporterBarbara Dreavercarried out a series ofinvestigative reportson increasing methamphetamine use in Samoa and was astounded by how pervasive it was. She reported that some families were trafficking their children to pay off drug debts.

A press conference has highlighted how much the morale of the FBI has diminished under the Trump Administration.

So, while the extra assistance in law enforcement is welcome, Patel also mentioned the need to counter Chinas growing political influence in the Pacific region. New Zealands Minister of Defence,Judith Collins, immediatelywent on the defensive. Primarily because China is New Zealands main trading partner and has been for decades. They cannot overtly offend the Chinese. China responded by accusing America of having aCold War mentality.

Interestingly, just as Patels plane re-entered Hawaiian airspace, the Trump Administration announced a 5% tariffcharge increaseon New Zealand imports (up from 10% to 15%). Inexplicably, Australia remained at 10%.

Yet, New Zealand exports to America have beendecliningin the last 12 months, as some exporters are alreadyquitting the American market.

One exporter declared:

Kash Patel was the first senior member of the Trump Administration to visit the region since taking office. A visit that dealt with an issue of great concern for the South Pacific. Yes, it did not deal with other major issues for the region such as aid, climate change and trade. Nevertheless, it was welcome.

Perhaps, after his warm welcome in Scotland, PresidentDonald Trumpwould also like to consider visiting the world-class golf courses of Australia, Fiji and New Zealand.

Patrick Drennanis a journalist based in New Zealand, with a degree in American history and economics.