• New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters, left, shakes hands with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, at the State Department, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP)

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters emphasized on Sunday that his country “wants, indeed needs,” the United States to remain an “active, engaged and constructive partner” in the Indo-Pacific. His remarks follow a visit to Washington last month aimed at reinforcing ties with the Trump administration.

During his Pacific tour, Peters spoke from Honolulu, Hawaii, where he underscored the importance of US involvement in counterbalancing what he perceives as China’s growing regional influence. His comments come amid concerns from some New Zealand lawmakers about the potential implications of Washington’s leadership transition and the suspension of certain aid programs in the Pacific.

“We look forward to more constructive dialogue in the days ahead,” Peters added, according to an official transcript.

While in Washington, the foreign minister held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Peter Marocco, director of the US Office of Foreign Assistance, along with various Congressional and administration figures.

Reflecting on the meetings, Peters said New Zealand’s partnership with the US remains on a “strong footing” despite what he described as “the most challenging strategic environment in at least half a century.”

New Zealand to dismiss senior diplomat over Trump remark

Separately, the country’s foreign minister announced earlier this month that New Zealand's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Phil Goff, will be removed from his position after making a remark questioning US President Donald Trump’s understanding of history.

During a panel discussion on the war in Ukraine, Goff speculated on Trump's historical awareness, stating, "Do you think he really understands history?" His remarks drew criticism from New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters, whose spokesperson described them as "deeply disappointing."

"They do not represent the views of the NZ government and make his position as High Commissioner to London untenable," the spokesperson added.

Goff had drawn a parallel between recent diplomatic efforts regarding Ukraine and the 1938 Munich Agreement. Some observers worry that Trump may pressure Ukraine into a peace deal with Russia.

Referencing former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s response to the Munich Agreement, Goff remarked, "I was re-reading Churchill's speech to the House of Commons in 1938 after the Munich agreement. He turned to [then Prime Minister Neville] Chamberlain and said: 'You had the choice between war and dishonour. You chose dishonour yet you will have war'."

Noting Trump’s decision to restore a bust of Churchill to the Oval Office, Goff added, "President Trump has restored the bust of Churchill to the Oval Office, but do you think he really understands history?"

Before being appointed as New Zealand's High Commissioner to the UK in 2023, Goff held multiple ministerial roles, including foreign affairs, and served two terms as Auckland's mayor.

His dismissal comes amid strained relations between Washington and Kiev. The United States recently "paused" intelligence sharing with Ukraine following a public dispute between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, which was soon followed by the suspension of vital military aid to Ukraine.