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Download AudioA year and a half after becoming Defence Minister Peeni Henare is finally able to meet allies and partners face to face.
He heads off today for Fiji, where he’ll have talks with his counterpart Inia Seruiratu, and then to Australia for a meeting with Peter Dutton.
“Important connections to make as we have quite close ties., We train a lot of their people in the military and we also send a lot of ours to go train with them, so connecting ā kanohi, kanohi ki te kanohi is really important,” he says.
While in Australia Minister Henare will also give an address to the Australian War College, participate in a roundtable discussion with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, and lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial.
He will also engage with the Australian defence industry to explore opportunities for New Zealand suppliers.
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