US, New Zealand commit to exploring opportunities, cooperation on critical minerals

New Zealand and the United States have committed to "explore further opportunities" to expand cooperation on critical minerals, according to a statement released by both governments.

It comes after the Prime Minister dismissed reporting of potential talks between the two nations about the supply of minerals to the US as "speculative and hypothetical" on Monday.

"I think the commentary, frankly, is probably a bit frothy and a bit ahead of itself," Luxon said on Morning Report, while the opposition slammed the "secret" talks.

Top diplomats from both countries met in Washington on Tuesday for the New Zealand-United States Strategic Dialogue.

United States deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau and New Zealand secretary of foreign affairs and trade Bede Corry also affirmed their shared interest in expanding the "mutually beneficial trade and investment relationship between the United States and New Zealand".

Landau and Corry noted discussions on a US-New Zealand Critical Minerals Framework, and welcomes New Zealand's participation at the critical Minerals Ministerial to be hosted by the US this week.

"The two committed to explore further opportunities to expand cooperation on critical minerals, energy, critical and emerging technologies, and the digital economy to ensure economic resilience and mutual prosperity.

"They also commended the advanced collaboration between New Zealand and the United States on space issues, including growing commercial links."

Speaking to media alongside the Green Party, Labour leader Chris Hipkins said Luxon's statements showed he "has no idea what his own government is doing".

"To say that this was all just speculation, and then to have the chief executive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attending meetings, making representations on New Zealand's behalf and issuing communiques ... the prime minister seemed completely unaware any of that was happening.

"I find that completely mind boggling that we would have senior government officials, including a senior government minister in the form of Shane Jones making representations on New Zealand's behalf, and the prime minister not knowing anything about them."

Green co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said it was clear Luxon could not be trusted.

"He either does not know, or is not across, what is happening within his government. And we also need to ask ourselves, as New Zealanders, the bigger question here, do we really want to be using our critical minerals to effectively power the United States national security interests?

"That is the only information that is currently available on the public table about this deal and I don't think any of us ever decided that we wanted to be on Trump's team."

Deputy secretary Landau also welcomed New Zealand's choice of Lockheed Martin's MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to replace its maritime helicopter fleet.

"Both agreed on the importance of further investing in interoperable defence capabilities and committed to exploring new opportunities to expand security cooperation with regional allies and likeminded partners."

The pair discussed the shared goal of working alongside Pacific Islands countries to "support their resilience and prosperity."

"Both committed to further expanding this partnership, including in infrastructure, economic investment, and the maritime domain," and the two welcomed investments from likeminded partners to support a "prosperous and resilient region."

They both affirmed the importance of preserving Antarctica for peace and science and committed to continuing the "longstanding cooperation" between the two countries on Antarctic research, policy and logistics.

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