New Zealand and Indonesia have pledged to deepen economic and strategic ties following talks between Foreign Minister Winston Peters and his Indonesian counterpart Sugiono in Auckland.
The two foreign ministers met on Friday to review progress under the New Zealand-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership and its 2025–2029 Plan of Action, with trade, food security, renewable energy and regional security among the key issues discussed.
Peters described Indonesia as an “indispensable partner for New Zealand in these turbulent times”, saying both governments wanted to expand practical cooperation in areas that could deliver tangible benefits.
“We are ambitious to do more together,” Peters said, pointing to food security and renewable energy as two areas with significant potential for further collaboration.
Trade was also a major focus, with the two countries working towards a target of NZ$6 billion in two-way trade by 2029.
Peters said progress towards that goal was encouraging but acknowledged considerably more could be done.
“That means intensifying work to remove barriers to trade, strengthening economic cooperation and making the most of improved air links between our countries,” he said.
The ministers also discussed closer cooperation across agriculture, education, defence and security, alongside regional and international developments affecting both countries.
With New Zealand and Indonesia due to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2028, Peters said Wellington viewed Jakarta as an important long-term partner.
“As we look towards 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2028, we have strong ambitions to keep growing this relationship,” he said.
Following the Auckland meeting, Peters and Sugiono issued a joint statement outlining their discussions and agreed next steps.
Sugiono is scheduled to leave New Zealand on Saturday.
Lost me on “renewable energy”.
Somebody needs to tell him that it’s not recyclable. What happened with his oil explorarion then?
What a con artist clown Peters is.
Yuck.