Joint Statement on the New Zealand-United States Strategic Dialogue

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and New Zealand on the occasion of the New Zealand-United States Strategic Dialogue.

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United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and New Zealand Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Bede Corry met in Washington, D.C. on February 2, 2026, for the New Zealand-United States Strategic Dialogue.

Deputy Secretary Landau and Secretary Corry reaffirmed the enduring partnership between the United States and New Zealand and the two countries' shared commitment to expanding cooperation in the Indo-Pacific in support of a free, open, and prosperous region. The Deputy Secretary welcomed New Zealand's recent decision to select Lockheed Martin's MH-60R Seahawk helicopters as its preferred option to replace its maritime helicopter fleet. Both agreed on the importance of further investing in interoperable defense capabilities and committed to exploring new opportunities to expand security cooperation with regional allies and likeminded partners.

Deputy Secretary Landau and Secretary Corry underscored the shared U.S. and New Zealand goal of working alongside Pacific Islands countries to support their resilience and prosperity. Both committed to further expanding this partnership, including in infrastructure, economic investment, and the maritime domain. Secretary Corry welcomed the Deputy Secretary's hosting of the U.S.-Pacific Investment Summit in Honolulu later this month, emphasizing that the Summit's inclusion of all Pacific Island Forum members recognized the centrality of the Forum in the region's affairs. The two also welcomed investments by likeminded partners to support a prosperous and resilient region.

Deputy Secretary Landau and Secretary Corry affirmed their shared interest in expanding the mutually beneficial trade and investment relationship between the United States and New Zealand. They noted discussions on a U.S.-New Zealand Critical Minerals Framework, and welcomed New Zealand's participation at the Critical Minerals Ministerial to be hosted by the United States this week. The two committed to explore further opportunities to expand cooperation on critical minerals, energy, critical and emerging technologies, and the digital economy to ensure economic resilience and mutual prosperity. They also commended the advanced collaboration between New Zealand and the United States on space issues, including growing commercial links, and welcomed the upcoming 2^nd U.S.-New Zealand Space Dialogue to be held in March 2026 in Washington, D.C.

Deputy Secretary Landau and Secretary Corry affirmed the vital importance of preserving Antarctica for peace and science and committed to continuing the longstanding cooperation between the United States and New Zealand on Antarctic research, policy, and logistics. Deputy Secretary Landau expressed deep appreciation for New Zealand's long history of logistical support to the United States Antarctic Program (USAP) and support for U.S. inspections of foreign research stations in Antarctica.

Both Deputy Secretary Landau and Secretary Corry expressed optimism about the future of the U.S.-New Zealand relationship and welcomed upcoming opportunities for engagement, including at Ministerial level.

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