Winston Peters. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The new Foreign Affairs Minister has signalled the coalition government intends to strengthen engagement with the United States on strategic and security challenges.
Winston Peters on Thursday morning delivered his first speech as minister at the United States Business Summit in Auckland.
Peters told the audience few relationships matter more to New Zealand than its relationship with the US.
"We share a special connection for we both retain democratic traditions that have stood firm despite the global upheavals they've faced.
"Our institutions are founded on democratic values, respect for human rights, freedom of speech and assembly, and free and fair trade. Promoting and maintaining the rule of law is the defining feature of both of our political systems."
He praised the US' engagement in the Pacific, saying it had helped "reinforce and support" the region. Peters noted the opening of new US embassies in Kiribati and Tonga and the "increased US security commitment to the region".
But there was "more to do", Peters added.
"We seek to strengthen engagement with the US on strategic and security challenges, centred on our common interest in a stable, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific."
Peters listed ways he thought this could be achieved, including finding new opportunities to "intensify" dialogue on strategic and security issues with the US, encouraging increased engagement by the US in the Pacific and New Zealand being "deliberate and attentive" when responding to international and regional security challenges.
"There is much work ahead of us, the time for drift is over, and the coalition intends to hit the ground running."