United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and New Zealand Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Bede Corry met in Washington, D.C. on February 2, 2026, for the New Zealand-United States Strategic Dialogue.
During the meeting, both officials reaffirmed the partnership between their countries and their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. According to a joint statement, "Deputy Secretary Landau and Secretary Corry reaffirmed the enduring partnership between the United States and New Zealand and the two countries’ shared commitment to expanding cooperation in the Indo-Pacific in support of a free, open, and prosperous region." The statement continued: "The Deputy Secretary welcomed New Zealand’s recent decision to select Lockheed Martin’s MH-60R Seahawk helicopters as its preferred option to replace its maritime helicopter fleet. Both agreed on the importance of further investing in interoperable defense capabilities and committed to exploring new opportunities to expand security cooperation with regional allies and likeminded partners."
The dialogue included discussions about supporting Pacific Islands countries. The statement said: "Deputy Secretary Landau and Secretary Corry underscored the shared U.S. and New Zealand goal of working alongside Pacific Islands countries to support their resilience and prosperity. Both committed to further expanding this partnership, including in infrastructure, economic investment, and the maritime domain." It also noted that "Secretary Corry welcomed the Deputy Secretary’s hosting of the U.S.-Pacific Investment Summit in Honolulu later this month, emphasizing that the Summit’s inclusion of all Pacific Island Forum members recognized the centrality of the Forum in the region’s affairs."
Trade and investment were also addressed during the meeting. The officials affirmed their interest in growing trade ties and discussed collaboration on critical minerals. The statement read: "Deputy Secretary Landau and Secretary Corry affirmed their shared interest in expanding the mutually beneficial trade and investment relationship between the United States and New Zealand. They noted discussions on a U.S.-New Zealand Critical Minerals Framework, and welcomed New Zealand’s participation at the Critical Minerals Ministerial to be hosted by the United States this week." Further areas for cooperation include energy, emerging technologies, digital economy initiatives, space issues—such as commercial partnerships—and an upcoming space dialogue scheduled for March 2026.
The preservation of Antarctica was another topic covered during talks. Both sides highlighted ongoing scientific cooperation: "Deputy Secretary Landau and Secretary Corry affirmed the vital importance of preserving Antarctica for peace and science and committed to continuing the longstanding cooperation between the United States and New Zealand on Antarctic research, policy, and logistics." The United States expressed appreciation for New Zealand's logistical support for Antarctic programs.
Looking ahead, both parties expressed optimism about future relations: "Both Deputy Secretary Landau and Secretary Corry expressed optimism about the future of the U.S.-New Zealand relationship and welcomed upcoming opportunities for engagement, including at Ministerial level."
