Articles tagged with Winston Peters

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NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters to Visit Vietnam, Thailand, and China Next Week

Minister Winston Peters will visit Viet Nam, Thailand, and China next week to strengthen New Zealand's key relationships in Southeast Asia and discuss regional challenges with senior leaders. He will also attend an event in Guangzhou marking New Zealand’s purchase of two interisland ferries, highlighting the strong trade ties with China. This visit underscores the Coalition Government’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation with both Southeast Asia and China.

Prime Ministers of New Zealand and Niue Forge Foundational Political Declaration for Enduring Partnership

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Niue Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi met in Auckland to establish a foundational Political Declaration, emphasizing their close partnership as part of the Realm of New Zealand. The declaration marks 50 years of self-government in free association between Niue and New Zealand, highlighting mutual respect and shared goals for deeper cooperation in key areas. The annual New Zealand and Niue Leaders’ meeting was initiated, covering discussions on Pacific regionalism, national security, climate priorities, and governance issues, showcasing the broad scope of their bilateral relationship.

Indian Minister Piyush Goyal Strengthens New Zealand-India Trade Ties

Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will visit New Zealand to strengthen trade ties, reflecting the deepening relationship between the two countries over the past two years. The visit underscores the commitment of both governments to building a strategic and enduring partnership, with a focus on expanding trade and investment opportunities. Minister Goyal's agenda includes attending a business summit, engaging with the New Zealand-Indian community, visiting businesses in Rotorua, and discussing Free Trade Agreement negotiations with Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay.

New Zealand and Nordic Countries Strengthen Cooperation for Mutual Benefit

New Zealand and the Nordic countries are strengthening their cooperation based on shared strategic assessments, values, and development goals, as stated by Foreign Minister Winston Peters. During his visit to the Nordic region, Peters emphasized the commonality in worldviews, values, and the desire for economic cooperation between New Zealand and the Nordic countries. The visit included bilateral meetings with all five Nordic countries, discussions on supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, and exploring opportunities for economic development collaboration, highlighting the potential for mutual benefit.

New Zealand Imposes Sanctions on Russian Oil Trade

Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced new sanctions targeting Russia's oil trade during a meeting with Nordic 5 Foreign Ministers in Stockholm. New Zealand has sanctioned 65 shadow fleet vessels involved in shipping Russian oil, as well as actors from Belarus, Iran, and North Korea involved in the oil supply chain. These actions support international efforts to bring Russia to the negotiating table and mark New Zealand's 33rd round of Russia sanctions since the Russia Sanctions Act came into force in March 2022.

New Zealand and Iceland Strengthen Cooperation on Working Holidays, Taxation, and Geothermal Energy

New Zealand and Iceland are strengthening cooperation in areas such as working holidays, taxation, and geothermal energy, as announced by Foreign Minister Winston Peters during his visit to Iceland. Initiatives like a reciprocal Working Holiday Scheme aim to enhance collaboration between the two island nations, fostering opportunities for young people to engage, learn, and contribute internationally. The Double Tax Agreement and exploration of geothermal energy aim to bolster economic ties and address future energy needs, with Mr Peters highlighting the importance of learning from Iceland's expertise in this field during his broader visit to the Nordic region.

NZ-UK Foreign Ministers Strengthen Partnership in London Dialogue

Foreign Minister Winston Peters and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper met in London for the second annual NZ-UK Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue, highlighting the importance of their longstanding partnership. They discussed enhancing cooperation in bilateral security, economics, and addressing global challenges, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Peters emphasized the shared values and commitment to upholding the international rules-based order, inviting Cooper to the next dialogue in New Zealand in 2026, as part of his broader European trip to countries like Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland.

New Zealand Reimposes Sanctions on Iran for Nuclear Non-compliance

New Zealand is reimposing UN-mandated sanctions on Iran due to concerns over Iran's nuclear non-compliance and uranium enrichment. The sanctions, effective from 18 October, include asset freezes, travel bans, and import/export restrictions on nuclear and military goods. New Zealand is also implementing a compulsory registration scheme for businesses intending to trade with Iran to ensure vigilance in dealings.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters Strengthening Partnerships in the UK and Nordic Region

Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to the United Kingdom and the Nordic region for diplomatic engagements. In the UK, he will participate in the UK-NZ Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue, meet with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, and discuss enhancing cooperation amidst global challenges. In the Nordic countries, Mr Peters will attend the New Zealand-Nordic 5 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to strengthen relationships and explore opportunities for collaboration in various areas.

KiwiRail Welcomes New Directors as Jager and Wattie Conclude Tenure: Minister Peters Announces Changes

KiwiRail directors Rob Jager and Bruce Wattie will finish their service on 31 October 2025, with two new directors appointed starting 1 November 2025, as announced by Minister for Rail Winston Peters. Jager and Wattie are recognized for their contributions, with Jager's leadership background and Wattie's accomplishments highlighted. New directors Murray Harrington and Alastair Bell bring financial acumen and governance expertise to help KiwiRail improve operations and meet expectations for increased efficiency and profitability.

New Zealand Government Secures Guangzhou Shipyard for Two Ferry Builds

The Government has selected Guangzhou Shipyard International to build two new ferries through Ferry Holdings Limited. Rail Minister Winston Peters highlighted GSI's expertise and capabilities as a leading shipbuilding enterprise in Southern China. Negotiations are ongoing, with details to be disclosed upon completion, including agreements with CentrePort Limited and Port Marlborough New Zealand Limited, aiming for completion in 2029 with cost-effective solutions to benefit New Zealand taxpayers.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Welcomes US-Led Peace Deal Progress Between Israel and Hamas

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters welcomes the first phase of the US-led peace deal between Israel and Hamas, emphasizing the need to end the suffering endured by both Israelis and Palestinians over the past two years. He commends the efforts of the negotiating parties, including the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye, for taking a leadership role in the process. Peters urges Hamas to release all hostages and Israel to withdraw troops, emphasizing the importance of delivering on promises for lasting peace and calling for continued efforts towards a complete resolution.

New Zealand Government Supports Samoa with $10M Payment for HMNZS Manawanui Incident

The New Zealand Government has paid the Government of Samoa 10 million Samoan Tala (approximately NZD 6 million) as a response to the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui last year. All 75 passengers and crew survived the incident that occurred off the Safata District coastline in Samoa. Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated that New Zealand is working with Samoa to minimize environmental impacts and support the response, following a comprehensive Court of Inquiry into the incident.

Port Otago's Container Terminal Rail Siding Milestone Boosts Efficiency and Regional Prosperity

The completion of Port Otago’s container terminal rail siding is a significant milestone for the Southern Link Logistics Park partnership, according to Rail Minister Winston Peters and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones. The $13.5 million rail siding at Port Chalmers in Dunedin is crucial for the Southern Link Logistics Park inland port near Mosgiel, facilitating more efficient freight movement between the two sites. The project is expected to reduce truck trips, support regional economies, and improve productivity, with additional funding secured for further rail infrastructure development in the region.

New Zealand Stance on State of Palestine: No Recognition for Now

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced at the UN General Assembly that the country will not recognize the State of Palestine due to ongoing conflicts and uncertainties about the future state. New Zealand remains a strong advocate for the two-state solution and Palestinian self-determination, emphasizing the need for dialogue, diplomacy, and leadership to resolve the situation. The government is committed to providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire, adherence to international law, and an end to illegal settlement activities by Israel.