Foreign and Defence Ministers to visit Canberra

Foreign Minister Winston Peters 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," Mr Peters says.

"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."

Ms Collins says this year marks 75 years of the New Zealand-Australia Alliance.

"We recognise the deep historical bond and broader defence alignment that forms the foundation of our Alliance," Ms Collins says.

"Since the Alliance began in 1951, we have continuously built on these foundations to ensure that our Alliance remains ready to meet modern challenges."

The Ministers will discuss a wide range of strategic issues, including partnering in the Pacific and Antarctica, responding to growing instability in the Indo-Pacific and global tensions and developments. 

Mr Peters and Ms Collins will also hold separate bilateral meetings with their respective counterparts, Penny Wong and Richard Marles.