Australia leverages Indigenous, sports links in Pacific

A struggle for influence is playing out in the Indo-Pacific involving China, the US and Australia. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

First Nations traditions and strong sporting rivalries are being used by Australia in the Pacific as it works to respond and adapt to evolving security threats.

These threats included a permanent geopolitical contest in the region and the intensification of impacts from climate change, Foreign Affairs Department Pacific head Elizabeth Peak said.