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New Zealand’s foreign minister and defence minister are set to visit Canberra for an annual defence meeting.
Later this week, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins will land in Canberra for the third iteration of the Australia and New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ANZMIN).
The meeting will also see Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles collaborate with their New Zealand counterparts to focus on a range of growing issues in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as wider global tensions.
“The ANZMIN is a critical opportunity to engage with Australia – our closest friend and only formal ally – to set the strategic direction and confirm our shared approaches to foreign policy, security, and defence,” Minister Peters said.
“New Zealand and Australia face the most unpredictable and dangerous strategic environment in decades.
“In the face of this instability, our commitment to work together is as strong as ever.”
Minister Collins said that meetings such as ANZMIN reaffirm the historic alliance between Australia and New Zealand, recognising the importance of bilateral engagement opportunities.
“We recognise the deep historical bond and broader defence alignment that forms the foundation of our alliance,” she said.
“Since the alliance began in 1951, we have continuously built on these foundations to ensure that our alliance remains ready to meet modern challenges.”
