08 October 2013 – Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Evan P. Garcia met with Deputy Secretary for the Americas and Asia Andrea Smith of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on October 04. 

Undersecretary Garcia and Deputy Secretary Smith discussed a wide range of bilateral matters on trade and investment, geothermal energy, labour, air connectivity, education, and defence.  They also noted the progress made in a number of bilateral initiatives including the Philippines-New Zealand Dairy Project and the Working Holiday Scheme Arrangement. 

Regional issues, including ASEAN-New Zealand relations, the East Asia Summit and NZ Inc ASEAN Strategy, also formed part of the agenda.  Undersecretary Garcia briefed Deputy Secretary Smith on the West Philippine Sea issue, particularly the Philippines’ arbitration under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Mindanao Peace Process. END