US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has left on a trip that includes the first visit to New Zealand by a US defence secretary since Caspar Weinberger visited in 1982, sparking speculation of closer military ties.
Mr Panetta boarded an Air Force E4-B on Joint Base Andrews on September 15 (US time) to begin an eight-day trip to meet counterparts in Japan, China and New Zealand, the US Department of Defence said in a statement.
The Los Angeles Times reported that US officials said they hoped to resume visits by Navy warships to New Zealand for the first time since 1984.
US officials said they were exploring whether New Zealand might repeal its ban on nuclear-powered ships, which in the US fleet includes submarines and aircraft carriers.
But the Pentagon is also considering changing its policy against sending even non-nuclear Navy vessels to New Zealand.
A resolution of the long-standing dispute would permit more joint naval exercises and training in the South Pacific, the newspaper reported.
"We're in discussions right now, not to bring nuclear weapons to New Zealand but... to help them develop their amphibious capability, which they are very proud of because they consider themselves a southwest Pacific power," US officials said.
The department said Mr Panetta will build on progress made when he and New Zealand Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman signed the Washington Declaration.
New Zealand was a steadfast and valued military partner both in Afghanistan, and in responding to natural disasters and providing security in the South Pacific, the department said.
US media reports focused on the time Mr Panetta will spend in Japan and China.
He is expected to reassure Chinese leaders that a US military buildup in the Pacific isn't aimed at them.
The trip comes after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attended the Pacific Island Forum in August.
NZN