\u201cIn advancing the President\u2019s agenda, we have few better partners than New Zealand. The Government of New Zealand consistently supports our goals in the region and beyond,\u201d the nominee said.<\/p>\n
Alongside being Trump\u2019s man in Wellington, the post comes with representing the US in Samoa, the Cook Islands, and Niue.<\/p>\n
Novelly intended to \u201cdo everything in my power to take our relationship to new heights\u201d.<\/p>\n
He listed three priorities, including partnering with New Zealand to \u201cpromote a free and open Pacific\u201d, \u201cexpanding our defence partnership with New Zealand\u201d and \u201cpromoting opportunities for US business entities\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cFew countries understand the darkening security environment in the Pacific better than New Zealand,\u201d Novelly said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast February, China conducted live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea. I was in the region at the time, and it was very concerning. The exercises led to flight diversions and represented an example of alarming, even destabilising behavior in the Pacific.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf confirmed, I would prioritise expanding our defence partnership with New Zealand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Novelly said embassies played a key role in \u201censuring a fair playing field for US entities\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether it be through tearing down trade barriers or opening new markets, all US businesses will have a friend in the ambassador\u2019s office if I am confirmed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In terms of his focus on Samoa, Novelly said he would encourage the Pacific Island nation to continue its \u201cprudent approach to managing relations with the West and China, taking on foreign debt with caution\u201d.<\/p>\n
He wanted to \u201censure it is never pressured into a deal that would compromise its sovereignty\u201d.<\/p>\n
With the Cook Islands, of which formal diplomatic relations were established in 2023, Novelly made clear he wanted to \u201cexpand our collaboration with local authorities to promote the responsible development of seabed mineral resources\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Cook Islands\u2019 EEZ [Exclusive Economic Zone] contains possibly the largest cobalt deposit in the world \u2013 a key component in batteries and high-strength alloys. A strong partnership with the Cook Islands means a strong supply chain of critical minerals. This is good for all parties.\u201d<\/p>\n
He would also seek to strengthen the US\u2019 relationship with Niue on \u201ceconomic, cultural and other programmes\u201d.<\/p>\n
Republican Senator Pete Ricketts, chairing the meeting, said New Zealand was a \u201ctrusted friend and increasingly important strategic actor in the Indo-Pacific\u201d.<\/p>\n
Ricketts noted that New Zealand had taken \u201cmeaningful steps to increase defence spending, modernise its military capabilities and engage more deeply in regional security efforts\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Government last year announced, through its Defence Capability Plan<\/a> (DCP), that defence spending would hit more than 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) within the next eight years, with $12 billion planned over the next four.<\/p>\n