Bede Corry

A joint statement by the Governments of the Cook Islands and New Zealand:    The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Hon. Mark Brown, and the Foreign Minister of New Zealand, Rt Hon. Winston Peters, held an informal discussion at Mr Peters’ private residence in Auckland today.    Prime Minister Brown was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Karopaerangi Ngatoko, and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Elizabeth Wright-Koteka. Foreign Minister Peters was accompanied by his Specialist Ministerial Advisor, Jon Johansson, and his Senior Foreign Affairs Advisor, Michael Appleton.   The two delegations discussed the fundamental challenges facing the New Zealand-Cook Islands relationship over the past 18 months and possible ways forward.    Political dialogue between the two countries will continue in the coming weeks in order to determine whether these challenges can be resolved in the present circumstances.   In the meantime, the Governments of the Cook Islands and New Zealand will not be providing further comment. 🇨🇰 🤝 🇳🇿

On the 75th anniversary of our Alliance the Minister & Defence Minister Collins were pleased to attend the Australia-New Zealand Ministerial Consultations with Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Deputy PM and Defence Minister Richard Marles. In challenging times our alliance and strategic resolve are strong. Joint Statement here ⬇️ beehive.govt.nz/release/joint-… @JudithCollinsKC @SenatorWong @RichardMarlesMP

The Minister met with Australia’s Penny Wong today ahead of the third Australia - New Zealand Ministerial Consultations to discuss the strong trans-Tasman relationship, cooperating even closer in the Pacific and working together on global issues, including in the Middle East. 🇳🇿🤝🇦🇺 @SenatorWong

The Minister and Defence Minister Judith Collins will attend the third annual Australia and New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ANZMIN) in Canberra this week.   “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.” @SenatorWong @RichardMarlesMP @JudithCollinsKC Press release ⬇️ beehive.govt.nz/release/foreig… ANZMIN - December 2024

New Zealand condemns yesterday’s ballistic missile launches by North Korea. The launch of ballistic missiles is a clear breach of UN Security Council Resolutions. We call on North Korea to cease all missile tests and engage in meaningful dialogue toward regional peace and stability.

The Minister visited @MFATNZ’s Emergency Coordination Centre in Wellington this morning to thank those working on New Zealand’s response to the crisis in the Middle East - both here and in the region. “The events in the Middle East are fast-moving, dangerous, and complex,” the Minister said. “We are particularly grateful for the sacrifices that MFAT staff and other government officials are making to serve NZ during these challenging times.”

On this the fourth anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, I met tonight with the leaders of the Coalition of the Willing. I have the greatest of admiration for the brave people of Ukraine, whose soldiers are fighting for freedom, and the people of Ukraine who are enduring another winter of Russia’s vile attacks on its energy infrastructure. New Zealand continues to provide training for Ukraine’s Armed Forces so they can defend freedom. We continue to keep the pressure on Russia’s economy by tightening our sanctions regime. Russia is not winning its illegal war. Until a just and lasting peace is agreed, New Zealand will stand steadfast in our support for Ukraine. 🇳🇿 🇺🇦

New Zealand will provide $8 million in new assistance for Ukraine and implement additional sanctions targeting Russia’s war machine, the Minister has announced.  “Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion, now entering its fifth year, has devastated Ukraine, destabilised Europe and impacted the security of our own region.” beehive.govt.nz/release/new-ze…

Israel’s decision to expand its control over the West Bank is a major setback for any chance at a two-state solution. The International Court of Justice was clear in its conclusion that Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful. These actions undermine the path to peace and should be reversed immediately. WP

The prison sentence for Jimmy Lai is a step backwards for media freedom and freedom of speech in Hong Kong. New Zealand has consistently called for the protection of fundamental human rights there and elsewhere, and will continue to do so. -WP

Congratulations @takaichi_sanae on your substantial win in the House of Representatives election. New Zealand and Japan are close friends and partners. I look forward to continuing our work together to grow that relationship even further.

It’s always good to be back in #WashingtonDC - even though it was colder and snowier than I can ever remember! With thanks to the team ⁦@NZembassyUS⁩ for supporting my visit

With thanks to ⁦@SenatorHagerty⁩ for a great discussion this morning about shared 🇳🇿🇺🇸 interests in the Indo-Pacific

It’s always a pleasure to catch up with UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific @SeemaMalhotra1 . The UK is one of our oldest and closest friends and our work together in the Indo-Pacific is one of the many sinews of our great relationship 🇳🇿🇬🇧

A pleasure to catch with my Swedish counterpart, MFA State Secretary Diana Janse, in Washington today. Always good to see you @sigriddiana 🇳🇿🇸🇪

Met many colleagues and counterparts this morning in DC including FM @AnitaAnandMP of Canada, Polish DPM & FM @sikorskiradek, and FM @VivianBala of Singapore. 🇮🇳 🇨🇦 🇵🇱 🇸🇬 🇳🇿

Thanks @DeputySecState for hosting the 🇳🇿🇺🇸Strategic Dialogue in Washington DC. As countries with a deep stake in a free and open Indo-Pacific, and as close partners in the Antarctic Treaty System, there was much to discuss. We’ll look forward to hosting you in NZ next year!

The NZ & German Foreign Ministers, Winston Peters and Johann Wadephul, are meeting in the Bay of Islands today. During their formal bilateral meeting this morning, they discussed: -The historically uncertain strategic environment and the importance of boosting relations with likeminded partners in this context; -Our respective roles in supporting & reforming the international, rules-based order and multilateral system; -The strength of Germany-NZ relations, including in the areas of security, trade and science; -How interconnected the security environments of the Indo-Pacific and Europe are; -New Zealand’s strong support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression; -The priorities of Pacific Island countries, and NZ’s support for enhanced German engagement with our region; and -Arctic and Antarctic security issues. 🇩🇪 🤝 🇳🇿 @AussenMinDE

The Minister spoke today with the High Representative/Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas. They discussed developments of mutual interest, including those relating to the Pacific, Gaza, Ukraine, the Arctic, and the international, rules-based system. The Minister, reflecting on his conversations during his visit to the Nordic region late last year, reiterated New Zealand’s view that the status of Greenland is a matter for the people of Greenland. @kajakallas

NZ is gravely concerned by reported killing of protestors in Iran.  Peaceful protest is a fundamental human right.  NZ calls upon Iranian security forces to refrain from violence.  MFAT's SafeTravel advice is that Iran is a 'Do Not Travel' country for New Zealanders. New Zealanders in Iran should continue to follow the latest SafeTravel advice. WP