17758 (2026). Steve Abel to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

17758 (2026). Steve Abel to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: In what meetings, if any, with the United States has a critical minerals framework been discussed by representatives of the New Zealand Government, listed by date and attendees since February 1, 2026?

Rt Hon Winston Peters: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has attended the following meetings with United States Officials: - 2 February 2026: US-NZ Strategic Dialogue in Washington D.C., attended by MFAT Secretary, MBIE Deputy Secretary (Building, Resources and Markets), New Zealand Ambassador to the US, New Zealand Defence Attache to the US, MFAT Divisional Manager America's Division, Trade and Political Counsellors from NZ Embassy to US, and other Embassy officials in Washington D.C. - 3 February 2026: MBIE Deputy Secretary (Building, Resources and Markets) meeting with Joshua Kroon (US Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary - Office of Textiles, Consumer Goods, Materials, Critical Minerals and Metals), Trade Counsellor from NZ Embassy to US and other Embassy officials in Washington D.C. - 4 February 2026: Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington D.C., attended by MFAT Secretary, MBIE Deputy Secretary (Building, Resources and Markets) and Trade Counsellor from NZ embassy to US. - 7 April 2026: MFAT Deputy Secretary (Americas and Asia Group) meeting with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matt Murray in Wellington. - 7 April 2026: Minister of Foreign Affairs bilateral meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington D.C. In addition, the critical minerals framework has often come up in MFAT's regular engagements with the US Embassy in Wellington and the regular engagements of our Embassy in Washington D.C. with the US Administration.