Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has wrapped up a two-day visit to Singapore with a new agreement the Government says is aimed at protecting the flow of fuel and other essential goods.

Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay and Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology, Dr Tan See Leng, signed the Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies (AOTES) during the trip. Luxon said the pact is designed to “protect the movement of essential goods, such as fuel and food,” framing it as part of a broader push to bolster resilience to global shocks.

Singapore is a key node in New Zealand’s energy supply chain. Luxon, accompanied by Finance Minister Nicola Willis, toured Jurong Island — Singapore’s refining and chemicals hub — and met executives from major fuel companies. “As the supplier of a third of our fuel, Singapore is central to the fuel supply chains and infrastructure that support our economic and energy security,” Luxon said, adding he is confident Singapore will continue supplying fuel after discussions on how companies are responding to what he called a global fuel crisis.

The signing came alongside the inaugural Annual Leaders’ Meeting between Luxon and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, which both sides cast as translating the countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into practical initiatives. The Singapore–New Zealand Leadership Forum also met, with Luxon highlighting opportunities to deepen trade and investment ties.

Luxon also met President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and visited Changi Naval Base for a defence engagement showcasing uncrewed surface vessels and other capabilities. He said the defence relationship — which includes long-standing training arrangements — is broadening into new areas of capability and commercial collaboration.

The Government has not released the full text of AOTES or detailed how it would operate during a supply disruption. Officials are positioning the agreement as a guardrail around the movement of essential goods, with fuel security a clear focus of the visit.