Jared Novelly, the United States Ambassador to New Zealand, has signaled a desire to revisit New Zealand’s nuclear-free policy while emphasizing increased defense spending and economic cooperation. Speaking to media this week, Novelly suggested he would like to “fix” the policy, and proposed hosting a basketball game on a US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in Auckland to demonstrate that the vessels are not a “boogie-man.”
Ambassador’s stance on nuclear policy and defense
Novelly, who arrived in his role this week following a vacancy that lasted since January 2025, acknowledged that his official position is not to change New Zealand domestic policy. “I’m not here to change your mind, I’m here to respect your opinions,” he told reporters. However, he expressed a personal interest in altering the country’s stance, joking that he would like to use a “DeLorean” to travel back to 1985 to address the nuclear issue. His comments follow a broader US push for regional partners to increase military investment. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has called for countries to boost defense spending to 3.5% of their national spending. In May, Hegseth named New Zealand as a country “freeloading” off the American military.
Economic priorities in the Cook Islands
Beyond defense, Novelly identified the development of critical minerals in the Cook Islands as a priority for his tenure. He described the potential as “either 1A or 1B” on his agenda. The Ambassador emphasized the necessity for the US to diversify its supply chain for cobalt, citing concerns over China’s refining industry and its reliance on minerals mined in Central Africa. Novelly stated he intends to introduce Cook Island officials to US companies capable of assisting in this sector, calling the potential economic shift “transformative” for the region.
Public perception and diplomatic relations
The Ambassador addressed a recent Asia New Zealand Foundation survey, which indicated that public perception of the US among New Zealanders fell from 61% to 39%, while positive perceptions of China rose from 39% to 43%. Novelly questioned the validity of the poll, suggesting that the “free press” in democracies like the US and New Zealand provides a level of transparency not found in China. He encouraged the public to reconsider their views on their international partners. Novelly, who has a background in the oil industry and owns the Australian basketball team the Illawarra Hawks, also noted his long-standing association with Donald Trump, stating, “We have a lot in common.”
What may happen next
Given the Ambassador’s stated priorities, diplomatic discussions between Washington and Wellington could focus heavily on defense spending targets in the coming months. As Novelly prepares to present his credentials in Samoa this August, his focus on the Cook Islands’ mineral sector may lead to increased US corporate interest in the Pacific nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone. While Novelly has stated he respects New Zealand’s domestic policy, his vocal support for a carrier visit and higher defense contributions suggests the US may continue to exert pressure on these specific security and economic fronts.
