Secretary Haaland to Highlight International Collaboration on Climate and Conservation During Visit to New Zealand

WASHINGTON — The week of February 20, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland will visit Aotearoa New Zealand at the invitation of Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta to highlight the United States’ international cooperation on addressing climate change, advancing conservation measures, and collaboration with Indigenous communities.

The trip will underscore the interconnectedness of the Department of the Interior’s mission and priorities with those of our international counterparts, including the U.S. relationship with key partners in the Pacific region. The Department has collaborated for more than 70 years with counterparts in New Zealand on issues ranging from wildland fire response and natural hazard monitoring to wildlife conservation and support for Indigenous communities.

On Monday, February 20 at 1:45 PM NZT, Secretary Haaland will host a media availability in Wellington. To obtain further details of this event, credentialed media should RSVP to Leslie Núñez Goodman at GoodmanLN@state.gov and Janine Burns at burnsj@state.gov. On Wednesday, February 22, the Secretary will attend the Te Matatini New Zealand Haka Festival in Auckland.

Details on other media opportunities during the program will be forthcoming. Please note RSVPs for New Zealand Government-hosted elements will be separate from RSVPs for this Monday afternoon's media availability.