Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has spoken with United States President Joe Biden at the White House.
In a statement just issued, Luxon said he'd had "a wonderful night" at the White House, where Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted NATO allies and partner countries "for a very enjoyable evening".
"I had the pleasure of talking with the President who expressed his love for New Zealand.
"It was also good to chat with [UK Prime Minister] Sir Keir Starmer and congratulate him on his election victory, and to reconnect with Prime Minister Kishida who I had visited in Tokyo a few weeks ago.
"I also spoke to President (Volodymyr) Zelensky and talked all things Hobbit with the delightful Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni.”
Luxon is in the United States to attend the 75th NATO Summit. While New Zealand is not part of NATO, it is considered a partner country, warranting an invite.
The Prime Minister has also had several meetings with senators and congresspeople on Capitol Hill in Washington DC.
Yesterday, he announced NZ would send a further $16 million in support to Ukraine - $6 million of the funding would go towards military assistance, while $10 million would go towards humanitarian needs.
Winston Peters to travel to Korea and Japan
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to the Republic of Korea and Japan next week, with plans to hold talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-Yul, and National Security Adviser Chang Ho Jin.
He will leave New Zealand this Sunday, returning next Saturday, July 20. It follows a trade-focused visit to Japan by Luxon last month.
Peters said New Zealand enjoyed "warm and enduring" relationships with both countries.
"Our relationships with these crucial partners is important for New Zealand’s ongoing prosperity and security."
In Japan, Peters will represent New Zealand at the 10th Japan - Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PALM10), which will be hosted by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo.
He will also attend bilateral meetings with Pacific Island leaders and Japanese ministers.
“Over the past seven months we have engaged extensively with Pacific leaders, visiting well over half of Pacific Islands Forum member countries. We are committed to sustaining our deep focus on the Pacific to bolster development and security across the region.
“We welcome Japan’s longstanding engagement and commitment to working through the Pacific Islands Forum, to help support the complex challenges faced by the region — including climate, economic and security concerns."
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