Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is set to make his first official overseas trip since moving into the ninth floor.
He will head over the ditch to meet with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Sydney for a day trip on Wednesday.
Luxon said Albanese - who he knew before becoming prime minister - was one of the first international leaders he spoke with after the election, and he was looking forward to "ongoing discussions" throughout his term as PM.
“The coalition Government will be engaging internationally with new urgency and intensity, to invest in relationships, increase prosperity and enhance our security.
“That starts with Australia, New Zealand’s most important partner and only ally."
He said Australia and New Zealand were "deeply connected on every level and on every issue and have strong people-to-people ties".
“New Zealand is committed to working together with Australia to support a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region. I look forward to discussing our close security and defence relationship.
“Our two economies are deeply interlinked, and we need greater focus on improving the business environment on both sides of the Tasman. I look forward to meeting with some key investors in New Zealand while I’m in Sydney, to hear how we can help them thrive.”
Luxon said discussions in Sydney would benefit "all people across the trans-Tasman relationship".
The visit follows two official Australian visits by former prime minister Chris Hipkins this year, where he visited Albanese in Canberra and later Brisbane.
Luxon unofficially visited Australia last week, when he went to Melbourne for the day to attend his daughter's graduation.
SHARE ME