WELLINGTON (Reuters) – According to New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters, his country plans to enhance its engagement with the United States in terms of strategic and security issues, while also aiming to tap into the potential of their economic relationship.
In a speech to the United States Business Summit in Auckland, Peters stated, “As a small democracy with deep relationships across the region, and focused on regional security and prosperity, New Zealand has a crucial role to play in promoting shared values in our part of the world and in growing economic opportunity and performance.”
This speech marked Peters’ first as foreign minister in the current government. New Zealand elected a center-right government in October, and Peters, the leader of the New Zealand First party, has previously served as foreign minister on two occasions.
New Zealand’s new prime minister, Christopher Luxon, has characterized the country’s foreign policy as bipartisan, indicating that no significant policy shift is anticipated under the new government.
However, Peters suggested in his address that there is untapped potential for New Zealand and the United States to work together more closely and swiftly to advance their shared interests and values.
He stated, “We know moving with the speed and intensity required to meet current challenges is going to require all of us to step up. New Zealand stands ready to play its part.”
Peters highlighted the importance of New Zealand’s contribution to international and regional security challenges, emphasizing the need for the country to “pull its weight, where we can have the most impact.”
He expressed his desire to see the two countries collaborate in order to maximize the value, rather than just the volume, of their bilateral trade, as well as to promote business-to-business connections and strengthen supply chains.
TVNZ reported that Luxon, who also addressed the event, emphasized his goal for New Zealand to have a more outward-looking approach.
“I don’t think we’ve been engaging out there in the world in the way that we should and that we can and that we have maybe in our past,” he stated at the summit.
(Reporting by Lucy Craymer in Wellington; Editing by Mark Porter and Matthew Lewis)
