Hawaii: New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters said his country needs the US as an 'active partner' in the Indo-Pacific region. 'My view of the strategic partnership between New Zealand and the United States is this: we each have the right, indeed the imperative, to pursue our own foreign policies, driven by our own sense of national interest,' Peters said.

According to Anadolu Agency, Peters outlined his view of bilateral ties while speaking in the US state of Hawaii during a visit. The statement was part of a transcript released by the New Zealand government. He emphasized that New Zealand and the US are working to strengthen prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and confirmed the ongoing cooperation with Washington.

Peters expressed that his government is 'looking forward' to working with the Trump administration, and emphasized that New Zealand wants the United States to remain an active, engaged, and constructive partner in the Indo-Pacific. During his visit, he also met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 18.

Following the meeting, Peters stated that ties with the US remain on a "strong footing."