Wellington: New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, emphasized the importance of the United States as an “active” partner in the Indo-Pacific region during a recent speech in Honolulu, Hawaii. His comments follow a visit to Washington last month aimed at strengthening ties with the Trump administration.
New Zealand and the U.S. have long collaborated in the Pacific, working to counterbalance the growing influence of China. However, there are concerns among some New Zealand lawmakers about the impact of the new U.S. administration and its suspension of aid funding on the region.
Peters stated that his message to the U.S. during his visit was clear: “New Zealand wants, indeed needs, for the United States to remain an active, engaged, and constructive partner in the Indo-Pacific.” He expressed optimism about further dialogue, saying, “We look forward to more constructive dialogue in the days ahead.”
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During his Washington trip, Peters held meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Peter Marocco, Director of the U.S. Office of Foreign Assistance, among other U.S. administration and Congressional representatives.
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Following these discussions, Peters noted that New Zealand’s relationship with the U.S. remains on a “strong footing,” particularly in what he described as “the most challenging strategic environment in at least half a century.”
