Revision of the name of the President of the United States, Biden, in an important speech by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nanaia Mahuta

Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has verified the name of newly elected US President Joe Biden in his first major speech in office, citing New Zealand’s strong relationship with the United States.

He was the only world leader Mahuta mentioned by name in his speech to diplomats in Waitangi tonight.

He praised some of the early moves Biden has made, including rejoining the Paris Agreement and renewing his commitment to WHO.

Former President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the first and threatened the second.

“New Zealand welcomes President Biden’s recent announcements that the United States will take a science-based approach to combat the challenge of Covid-19,” Mahuta said.

He added that New Zealand’s relationship with the United States is an “integral defense and security partner.”

“New Zealand’s relationship with the United States will continue to strengthen.”

Mahuta also made reference to New Zealand’s “important” relationship with China.

“We seek a mature relationship where both parties have realistic expectations of each other, while looking for opportunities to work together where we can.”

He also mentioned New Zealand’s relationship with Australia, “our only formal ally and an indispensable partner in the breadth of our international interests.”

Mahuta used the speech as a kind of scenario as to what his priorities will be while he heads the New Zealand Foreign Ministry.

He told attendees that his “core interests” were:

• an international order based on rules
• keep New Zealanders safe
• international conditions and connections that help our prosperity
• global action on sustainability issues such as climate change
He said his approach to foreign relations will be indigenous.

“I think the time has come to ensure that a more inclusive approach to indigenous issues is a feature of foreign policy,” he said.

“This will generate economic, social, environmental and cultural benefits for countries that wish to take advantage of this opportunity.”

As foreign minister, Mahuta said she was seeking “mature relationships, acting on the values ​​that define who New Zealanders are and creating space to, at times, agree to disagree on fundamental principles.”

But, she said, as “Indigenous Foreign Minister, I believe that diplomacy has an intergenerational purpose, where we put people, the planet, peace and prosperity for all at the center.

He said that this approach is at the core of his ambition to lead a “different approach.”