NZ supporting Indo-Pacific Four and NATO countries over defence technology - minister

New Zealand is helping ensure NATO and Indo-Pacific nations are well equipped to keep up with the changing nature of warfare, the defence minister says.

Chris Penk travelled to Turkey last week for NATO Summit events including the Defence Industry Forum.

New Zealand attended as a member of the Indo-Pacific Four, a group of NATO partners which also includes Australia, the Republic of Korea and Japan.

At the forum there was a commitment to boost cooperation between the Indo-Pacific Four and NATO countries over defence technology, which Penk said was a "moveable feast" as needs on the battlefield continued to shift.

"Ukraine is giving us a very clear insight into the way that warfare is changing, including with drone technology somewhat defeating traditional platforms," he said.

"So, a commitment to work alongside other nations within the Indo-Pacific Four ... and also those NATO nations, really means staying in touch closely with developments, and of course supporting each other in terms of supply chain and resilience as that is needed."

Accompanying Penk in Turkey were representatives from two defence industry businesses, Starboard Maritime Intelligence and drone company SYOS Aerospace.

Penk said they were already doing "good work" with the New Zealand defence force as well as other nations', and were looking to further their exports.

"So it was a good opportunity for them to continue to show their wares, but also to learn on behalf of New Zealand defence industry, what the other capabilities are out in the world, and therefore what niche we can fill well."

SYOS Aerospace drones are used in Ukraine and the company has been helping develop drones for the British army's helicopters.

Starboard Maritime Intelligence's technology is used to combat pirates and the sabotage of vital underwater cables.

China's missile testing 'on the minds of many' at NATO summit

China's test fire of a nuclear-capable missile into the South Pacific last week occurred as the summit was beginning.

"A number of other nations there, including those very far afield from the point of view of our region, were expressing interest and, to some extent, dismay," Penk said.

"It was a topic on the minds of many, and certainly there's a commitment from NATO members to work closely with the Indo Four partners, as well as, of course, the Pacific Islands, with whom we work in defence cooperation."

Penk also has a brief encounter on the summit's sidelines with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"It was just a quick opportunity to catch up and to express on New Zealand's behalf our well wishes and the fact that we will continue to support the efforts in the way that we have been."

That support included training Ukrainian soldiers and supplying drones, he said.

Penk said various meetings he attended highlighted that many issues New Zealand was grappling with were shared across the world.

"Some of the themes emerging about making sure we get best capability for the extra defence spend that we're all leaning into, and of course the agility of moving quickly enough, given the deteriorating strategic environment across the world."

Penk said he voiced New Zealand's commitment to the international rules-based order, and emphasised how developments like the Middle East war affected the country.