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Will any New Zealand officials, diplomats, or New Zealand Defence Force personnel attend or observe the meetings between the defence ministers of Australia and Japan taking place in Canberra, Australia, in August 2026, at which New Zealand was originally expected to be represented at ministerial level; if so, in what capacity; if not, why not? and 1 other question

Answered 37112, 37114 (2026)
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Asked by

Damien O'Connor

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 37112

    Will any New Zealand officials, diplomats, or New Zealand Defence Force personnel attend or observe the meetings between the defence ministers of Australia and Japan taking place in Canberra, Australia, in August 2026, at which New Zealand was originally expected to be represented at ministerial level; if so, in what capacity; if not, why not?

  • 37114

    Was consideration given to New Zealand being represented at a planned trilateral defence ministers' meeting with Australia and Japan in Canberra, Australia, in August 2026 by another Minister, an Associate Minister, the Secretary of Defence, the Chief of Defence Force, or other senior officials, if the Minister was unable to attend in person; if so, why did such representation not occur; if not, why not?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister of Defence

Answer

Given this was a Minister led delegation centred around engagements with other Defence Ministers it was not considered appropriate to continue without the New Zealand Defence Minister. Future trilateral meetings will be considered at the next appropriate opportunity.