The NZUS Council acknowledges the recent visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rt Hon Winston Peters, to Honolulu, which underscored the enduring partnership between New Zealand and the United States, particularly in the Pacific region.
Leading a cross-party New Zealand political delegation, Minister Peters engaged with key figures including the Governor of Hawaii, Joshua Green, Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel Paparo, Interim President of the East-West Center, Dr James Scott, and representatives from Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands.
“Our Pacific links with the United States are more important than ever, and this visit to Hawaii has been an excellent opportunity to underline our shared Polynesian heritage and common strategic interests,” Minister Peters stated.
Peters emphasised the longstanding nature of the US–NZ partnership, noting, “New Zealand’s partnership with the United States remains one of our most long-standing and important, particularly when seen in the light of our joint interests in the Pacific and the evolving security environment.”
The visit facilitated meaningful discussions on the dynamic changes occurring in the Indo-Pacific region. “This visit has enabled an important exchange of views on the economic, political and security changes occurring in the Indo-Pacific, and the role that New Zealand can play in working with regional partners to meet common challenges,” Minister Peters remarked.
Highlighting New Zealand’s consistent stance, he added, “We have long advocated for the importance of an active and engaged United States in the Indo-Pacific, and this time in Honolulu allowed us to continue to make that case.”
Read Minister Peter’s full speech on the Beehive website.