New Zealand’s Defense Minister Judith Collins (Photo: Phil Smith-VOV correspondent in Australia)

During the visit, the Collins is scheduled to meet with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and hold talks with her Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro.

A key focus of the visit will be the signing of the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement which formally sets the legal framework for engagement between their respective militaries, better facilitating ongoing cooperation, activities and exercises in each of their territories.

New Zealand already signed two other defense agreements with the Philippines, including the Mutual Logistics Supporting Arrangement (2024) and the Defence Cooperation Arrangement (2012).

New Zealand has a number of similar agreements with other countries, the most recent being one signed with Fiji in 2023.