PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak’s call with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern [January 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 January 2023, although it related to a call from December 2022.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, this evening (11 December 2022).

The Prime Minister said he looked forward to building on the close relationship between the United Kingdom and New Zealand, including through the youth mobility scheme and joint science and research programmes.

The leaders discussed shared challenges in the Indo Pacific, and reflected on the importance of economic stability and resilience to growing strategic competition.

The UK’s accession to the CPTPP Pacific trade bloc demonstrated our commitment to the region, the Prime Minister added.

Discussing Ukraine, the Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Ardern for the country’s important contribution to the training of Ukrainian Armed Forces in the UK, and said New Zealand’s involvement sent a strong signal across the world. The leaders also shared their condemnation of Iran’s ongoing support to Russia’s illegal invasion, including through the provision of drones.

Both agreed to stay in close touch and looked forward to following the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year.