Winston Peters Signals Closer Ties with Argentina After High-Level Talks

New Zealand and Argentina have agreed to strengthen cooperation following high-level meetings in Buenos Aires, as Foreign Minister Winston Peters leads a parliamentary and business delegation through Latin America.

Mr Peters met with Argentine President Javier Milei and Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno, with discussions focused on economic reform, trade expansion and shared geopolitical challenges.

Focus on Economic Reform and Export Growth

Speaking after the meetings, Mr Peters said both countries are pursuing policies aimed at lifting productivity and improving living standards through export-driven growth.

“Our discussions today have underlined that both New Zealand and Argentina are working hard to make our economies more efficient in order to deliver more jobs and higher living standards through export growth,” he said.

Mr Peters noted Argentina’s recent economic turnaround and government reform efforts, describing them as significant developments that create opportunities for deeper commercial engagement.

“Argentina has achieved an impressive economic turnaround and government reform in recent years, and New Zealand companies can and should be among those to do more here,” he said.

The visit included engagement with Argentina’s National Congress and members of its New Zealand Parliamentary Friendship Group, highlighting growing legislative and institutional links between the two countries.

First Visit Since 2007

This marks the first visit to Argentina by a New Zealand Foreign Minister since Mr Peters last travelled to the country in 2007, underscoring renewed diplomatic momentum between Wellington and Buenos Aires.

Global Security and Strategic Dialogue

Beyond trade and economic matters, talks also addressed the uncertain international environment and recent global developments.

Mr Peters said discussions covered a range of strategic issues, including the situation in Iran, the increasingly competitive strategic landscape in both the Western Hemisphere and the Indo-Pacific, and the need for reform of the United Nations system.

“We spoke about a range of issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Iran, the competitive strategic environment in both the Western Hemisphere and the Indo-Pacific, and the urgent need for reform of the UN system,” he said.

Expanding Business and People-to-People Links

Mr Peters said the visit reinforced growing business, education and people-to-people ties between New Zealand and Argentina, while emphasising a shared commitment to open, rules-based trade.

The Argentine leg of the trip is part of a broader Latin American programme. Mr Peters and the parliamentary and business delegations depart for Uruguay tomorrow, with further engagements scheduled later this week in Brazil, Chile including Santiago and Rapa Nui, and French Polynesia.

The tour signals a push to deepen New Zealand’s engagement across Latin America at a time of shifting global economic and strategic dynamics.