There is definitely a concerted Chinese effort in the Pacific region to make themselves look friendlier. Chinese embassies are funding a lot of cultural shows and festivals in the region, the Chinese embassy in Wellington pays for a massive fireworks display for the Lunar New Year. They also sponsor Chinese students' associations (which also have a dual purpose of keeping an eye on Chinese international students).
The Chinese government has also been spending more aid money in the Pacific Islands, building new stadiums, government buildings, and infrastructure, as well as investing in the Islands too.
Today I read a 2 page spread today on the One Road One Belt initiative in The Age (Melbourne's main newspaper) and it had a very distinct pro-China spin to it. It glossed right over concerns about neo-imperialism and other such things. It was an interesting contrast to the distinctly more critical (and I feel fairly unbiased) reporting from the John Oliver Show on the One Road One Belt Initiative.