Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman
Minister of Defence
30 April 2013
Defence talks in Auckland and Tonga
Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman is meeting his Trans-Tasman counterpart, Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith
in Auckland this evening.
The two Ministers are holding a bilateral discussions before they both depart tomorrow to attend the inaugural South
Pacific Defence Ministers Meeting being held in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
“The bilateral with Stephen Smith is part of the on-going excellent working relationship with Australia. The South
Pacific Defence Minister’s meeting is a welcome new initiative started by Australia, hosted by Tonga, which New Zealand
supports,” said Dr Coleman.
“The meeting in Nuku’alofa, on May 1 and 2 is a positive development to enhance regional co-operation. The discussions
will focus on the areas of humanitarian and disaster relief, and maritime surveillance,” he said.
ENDS