New Zealand and Papua New Guinea have signed a Statement of Intent on Defence Cooperation 2026–2029, strengthening bilateral defence ties and expanding cooperation on regional security, training and maritime operations.
New Zealand Defence Minister Chris Penk and Papua New Guinea Defence Minister Elias Kapavore said the agreement builds on the 2025–2029 Statement of Partnership and supports long-term regional stability.
Key developments:
- Increased defence dialogue, joint exercises, personnel exchanges and leadership training.
- Expanded cooperation on maritime security, surveillance and disaster response.
- Greater collaboration between civilian defence organisations and regional security initiatives.
The agreement also reaffirms support for the Pacific-led rules-based security framework, with both countries prioritising cooperation through the Pacific Islands Forum and other regional mechanisms while strengthening resilience against evolving security challenges.
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