New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (L) talks with US President Joe Biden at the White House. (Photo: AFP)

The Statement re-affirms and commits to advance the strategic partnership between the United States and New Zealand in which security and defense will be a focus of cooperation in response to the changing security environment in the Indo-Pacific region.

After the talks, Ardern said its relationship with the US is one of New Zealand's longest and most important relationships, and the two are committed to jointly addressing the challenges facing the region and the world. The US and New Zealand will work together and with partners to pursue peace and stability and uphold the international rules-based order.

This is the first visit to the US by a New Zealand Prime Minister since 2014 and just the third meeting between the leaders of the two countries in two decades.