The Prime Minister of Tuvalu has called for funding to assist small nations in being represented at global and regional meetings.
Enele Sopoaga is among a number of Pacific Island leaders attending regional talks in Auckland in preparation for next year's World Humanitarian Summit.
Mr Sopoaga says his attendance was difficult to organise because there was a lot to attend to back home and funds were limited.
However he says he felt he needed to represent small island states like Tuvalu.
Mr Sopoaga says with other important meetings talking about issues which significantly impact the Pacific, more assistance is required.
"How are we going to make sure our voice is represented in the process leading up to Istanbul, to COP21 (United Nations Climate Change Conference). We need funding. We need assistance to make sure our voice is heard. Unless we get that we are going to be left behind."
World Humanitarian Summit Pacific Consultation. Hon. Enele Sosene Sopoaga, Prime Minister of Tuvalu Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
The head of the United Nations Development Programme Helen Clark says more upfront investment is needed to help the Pacific adapt to climate change and reduce its risk of disasters.
Ms Clark is in New Zealand for the talks before the Humanitarian Summit.
"I come with the absolute conviction that more investment upfront in reducing disaster risk will not only save lives but it will save communities the incredible development setbacks they see from being in the eye of a storm they have not been able to effectively plan around."
Ms Clark says the voices of the vulnerable Pacific islands need to be heard very loudly at next year's world summit in Istanbul.
World Humanitarian Summit Pacific Consultation. Ms. Helen Clark, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
Meanwhile, the Australian foreign minister, Julie Bishop, has announced a fund to discover new ways to prepare for natural disasters.