Defence Minister Judith Collins departs today for Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference, where she will meet UK Defence Secretary John Healey and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and take part in a session on the links between security in the Indo‑Pacific and the Euro‑Atlantic.

“In a turbulent and unpredictable world, the Munich Security Conference is an important opportunity to debate key security issues that impact New Zealand,” Ms Collins said in a statement.

She said the conference brings together decision-makers and military leaders from more than 100 countries “working to bolster cooperation, collective security and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.”

Alongside meetings with Healey and Rutte, Collins will hold bilaterals with other long‑standing defence partners. The release did not list additional counterparts or specific agenda items.

Collins said she would share New Zealand’s perspectives on “the interconnected security challenges facing both of our regions such as Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and escalating strategic competition.”

“As a small nation reliant on trade at the bottom of the southwest Pacific, we must take every opportunity to sit at the table and advocate for our interests and values,” she said.

The Munich Security Conference is a major annual forum for defence and foreign policy discussions. New Zealand has previously contributed non‑lethal assistance and training support for Ukraine and has engaged with NATO partners on Indo‑Pacific security.

Ms Collins is scheduled to return to New Zealand on 16 February.