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When, if at all, does the Minister next expect to meet Japan's Minister of Defense to discuss the potential acquisition of Mogami-class frigates as part of the Royal New Zealand Navy's fleet renewal, given that this topic was reportedly expected to be discussed at a planned trilateral defence ministers' meeting in Canberra, Australia, in August 2026 at which New Zealand was not represented at ministerial level?

Answered Question 37109 (2026)
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Asked by

Damien O'Connor

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • When, if at all, does the Minister next expect to meet Japan's Minister of Defense to discuss the potential acquisition of Mogami-class frigates as part of the Royal New Zealand Navy's fleet renewal, given that this topic was reportedly expected to be discussed at a planned trilateral defence ministers' meeting in Canberra, Australia, in August 2026 at which New Zealand was not represented at ministerial level?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Defence

Answer

Ministers meet regularly. My predecessor met with Minister Conroy and Minister Koizumi at NATO in July. He also met with Deputy Prime Minister Marles in May at the Shangri-La Dialogue. Future meetings will be considered at the next appropriate opportunity.