Winston could reset ANZAC-Fiji relations

International relations experts say there could be a silver lining to Cyclone Winston's massive devastation in Fiji.

They say it is a chance to reset the still troubled relationship between Fiji and its biggest neighbours Australia and New Zealand.

New Zealand and Australia sped to help Fiji after it took a massive hit from Cyclone Winston last month, killing 43 people and leaving thousands homeless.

Their navy ships, medics and engineers are now in the country helping with relief to the remoter islands.

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Murray McCully was among the first diplomats to call on his Fijian counterpart Ratu Inoke Kubuabola after the cyclone.

He said cooperation with Fiji has happened even during difficult times and happens naturally between neighbours.

"When there is an urgent need for humanitarian support everybody in this neighbourhood understands that you just knuckle down and deal with those needs and that's what we've tried to do and I know that's very much appreciated and everyone I met in Fiji told me that."

A senior lecturer in Security Studies at Massey University Anna Powles said it is the first significant re-engagement with Fiji by New Zealand and Australia and is being watched very closely.

She said relations have struggled to get back on a strong footing even since the restoration of full diplomatic links after Fiji's 2014 elections, the first since the 2006 coup.

Dr Powles said the relationship won't be completely reset without a significant overture like a visit to Fiji by the New Zealand Prime Minister John Key.

"It's those kind of overtures which are so critical and go above and beyond how much money is given or which assets are deployed in response. It's that rebuilding of the relationship and rebuilding of trust that's going to be the most important dynamic in this."

Richard Herr who heads the Centre for International and Regional Affairs at the University of Fiji, said Fiji has not easily forgotten the sanctions imposed by New Zealand and Australia after the coup.

"Politically the sanctions left a legacy of distrust. Now hopefully things like this, the fact that it's genuine and wholehearted support might rebuild some confidence and reduce those levels of distrust that have been built up over the years," said Dr Herr.

Winston reinforces regional solidarity in Pacific

Fiji's smaller neighbours have also sped to Fiji's aid despite most being heavily reliant on international aid themselves.

There have been cash donations from Nauru, Samoa and Kiribati, and Tonga sent a navy patrol boat delivering water, food and shelter.

The director of the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, Steven Ratuva, said Cyclone Winston has only reinforced regional solidarity.

And he said it's times like these when Fiji's traditional ties with New Zealand and Australia show through.

"The cultural, economic and political relationship between these countries are very, very solid despite the post coup tension between these countries, but fundamentally they're still long-term friends and this is being tested at this time when Fiji needs help," said Professor Ratuva.

NZ and Australia urged to heed Winston's message

Dr Powles said the ferocious cyclone should drive home the message New Zealand and Australia need to be more proactive and in tune with Pacific island countries' climate change concerns.

The two countries are seen as out of step with the region over limits on global warming.

She pointed out at the Pacific Islands Forum last year there was major division between the Pacific island nations and Australia and New Zealand over the islands' desire for a 1.5 degrees celsius global warming limit.

New Zealand fell into line with the Pacific after Australia and at the eleventh hour at the climate change talks in Paris later in the year.

Dr Powles said Australia and New Zealand's credibility and legitimacy as partners to Pacific island countries remain in question despite the countries' swift aid in recent days.

"It does feel like the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff actually. I would hope that those in Wellington and Canberra would actually see long-term, it will be far more beneficial to actually work towards climate change consensus with the Pacific Island countries as well as obviously having to respond to increasing natural disasters."

Dr Powles said Cyclone Winston also points to the need for a special Disaster Response and Coordination Unit for the region to cope with the higher frequency of intense cyclones predicted for the Pacific.