FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
New Zealand Waitangi Day
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
February 5, 2013
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I send congratulations and best wishes to the people of New Zealand as you commemorate the February 6 anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi, or Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This is an opportunity to reflect both upon New Zealand’s unique culture and diverse heritage and to celebrate the promise of the future as new generations carry on your rich traditions.
The United States and New Zealand share a strong and enduring friendship, which has continued to deepen since we first established diplomatic relations in 1942. Our countries share a commitment to work together to bring peace, stability, and sustainability to the Pacific region and beyond.
As New Zealanders around the world come together to celebrate, I wish you a happy Waitangi Day, and a prosperous and successful year.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM CIA WORLD FACTBOOK
The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both world wars. New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to address longstanding Maori grievances.
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Photo: U.S. Defense Secretary Panetta, New Zealand Defense Minister Johnathon Coleman, U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand David Heubner. Credit: DOD.
Panetta Eases Restrictions on New Zealand Ship Visits
By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service
AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced here today that he has eased the restrictions on New Zealand navy ship visits to Defense Department and Coast Guard facilities in the United States and around the world.
During a news conference with Defense Minister Dr. Jonathan Coleman, Panetta said the policy, in place since the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty was suspended between the United States and New Zealand in 1984, has been modified to allow the defense secretary to authorize individual visits. "These changes, I think, are important and in the interests of both our nations," he added.
Panetta said the United States also has removed obstacles to talks between the two nations' defense officials, and has lifted restrictions on military exercises. The changes will make it easier for the U.S. and New Zealand militaries to discuss security issues and to work together in tackling common challenges, the secretary said.
In 1984, New Zealand banned nuclear or nuclear-powered ships from entering its waters or using its ports. The U.S. "one-fleet" policy holds that if any U.S. ships are restricted from an area, it will refrain from sending any ships there. In response to a reporter's question, Coleman said the policy against nuclear ships "is in place and will remain in place."
The changes he announced today, Panetta said, affirm that despite differences in some limited areas, the United States and New Zealand are embarking on a new course that will not let those differences stand in the way of greater engagement on security matters.
The secretary also discussed New Zealand's involvement in NATO's International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan.
"In my meeting with Minister Coleman, I expressed my profound appreciation ... for New Zealand's contributions to this international effort," he said. Panetta said progress has come at a heavy price for New Zealand, which last month lost five service members to enemy violence in Afghanistan.
"I join Minister Coleman and the people of New Zealand in mourning for these heroes – and they are heroes -- who gave their lives for their country and for a cause greater than themselves," he said.
Panetta noted he and Coleman signed the "Washington Declaration" at the Pentagon in June, reflecting a deeper partnership between the two militaries. The two defense leaders have identified several areas where closer defense cooperation is possible, including:
-- Increasing cooperation in the South Pacific;
-- Building New Zealand's amphibious capacity; and
-- Working multilaterally to build capacity in security partner countries for peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.
Panetta said he considers it a "special honor" to be the first U.S. defense secretary to visit New Zealand in 30 years.
"The purpose of this trip is really to mark a new era" between the two countries, the secretary said. He added that New Zealand and the United States are "close friends -- yesterday, today and tomorrow."
Coleman called Panetta's trip to New Zealand "a very significant visit ... [that] underscores the very warm state of the relationship between our two countries at all levels."
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
