Panetta Arrives in New Zealand, Meets With Leaders

Department of Defense Photo Essay

  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta speaks with New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman, center, and U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand David Huebner, left, upon arrival in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. Panetta earlier visited Japan and China during his weeklong trip to the Asia-Pacific region. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta inspects the Guard of Honor in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, left, shakes hands with New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman, right, in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, left, speaks during a news conference with New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman, right, in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. Panetta announced he has eased the restrictions on New Zealand navy ship visits to Defense Department and Coast Guard facilities in the United States and around the world. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman and U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta brief the press in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman brief the press in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta lays a wreath at the World War II Hall of Memories at the Auckland War Memorial Museum in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta lays a wreath at the World War II Hall of Memories at the Auckland War Memorial Museum in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta lays a wreath at the World War II Hall of Memories at the Auckland War Memorial Museum in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta lays a wreath at the World War II Hall of Memories at the Auckland War Memorial Museum in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, center, stands with New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman, left, and Roy Clare, Auckland War Memorial Museum director, in the museum's World War II Hall of Memories in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, center, stands with New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman, left, and Roy Clare, Auckland War Memorial Museum director, in the museum's World War II Hall of Memories in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, right, and New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman are shown a diary from a survivor of World War II by Auckland War Memorial Museum director Roy Clare in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta speaks with guests at the Auckland War Memorial Museum in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta views traditional Maori artifacts at the Auckland War Memorial Museum in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, right, and New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman, left, view traditional Maori artifacts at the Auckland War Memorial Museum in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta listens as New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes him and invites the secretary to present commemorative medals to members of the New Zealand military in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta makes brief comments before presenting commemorative medals to members of the New Zealand military in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. Panetta presented the U.S. military medals to New Zealand troops for different accomplishments while serving with U.S. forces. DoD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta presents a commemorative medal to New Zealand Army Lt. Col James Kaio in Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. Panetta presented the U.S. military medals to New Zealand troops for different accomplishments while serving with U.S. forces. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta watches as a Maori warrior issues a wero, or challenge, during a Powhiri ceremony while visiting Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. Panetta picked up the rakau tapu, or dart, that the warrior placed at his feet, while keeping eye contact with the warrior. The ceremony is an ancient Maori tradition used to determine if visitors came in peace or with hostile intent. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta is issued a wero, or challenge, by Maori warriors during a Powhiri ceremony while visiting Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • Maori warriors issue U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta a wero, or challenge, during a Powhiri ceremony while visiting Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • A Maori warrior makes aggressive faces at U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta issuing a wero, or challenge, during a Powhiri ceremony while visiting Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • Maori warriors perform a Haka, or dance of welcome, for U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta during a Powhiri ceremony while visiting Auckland, New Zealand, Sept. 21, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo