New Zealand PM to Visit Australia on Dec. 20

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks during a signing ceremony at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, on Nov. 24, 2023. Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will arrive in Sydney on Dec. 20 to discuss security and economic issues with the Australian government.

The new prime minister has chosen Australia as his first overseas destination after being sworn in earlier this month.

“The coalition government will be engaging internationally with new urgency and intensity to invest in relationships, increase prosperity, and enhance our security,” he said in a statement.

“That starts with Australia, New Zealand’s most important partner and only ally. We are deeply connected on every level and on every issue and have strong people-to-people ties.”

Mr. Luxon also noted that he was looking forward to having ongoing discussions with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during his term.

“New Zealand is committed to working together with Australia to support a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

“I look forward to discussing our close security and defence relationship.”

During his visit, Mr. Luxon will meet with some major Australian business investors, listen to their stories, and discuss how to help them thrive in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Mr. Albanese welcomed Mr. Luxon’s first official trip to Australia, saying he looked forward to working with the New Zealand prime minister to advance the unique relationship between the two countries.

“Australia and New Zealand are not just friends. We are family,” he said in a statement.

“Our close relationship is underpinned by our rich history and generations of community, business, and government links.”

NZ Trade Minister Travels to India and Singapore

While Mr. Luxon is coming to Australia to advance the bilateral relationship, New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay is on his way to India and Singapore to discuss trade issues.

The trade minister noted that improving the relationship with India, the world’s most populous country and the fifth-largest economy in the world, was a priority of the coalition government.

At the same time, Mr. McClay emphasised the importance of strengthening trade ties with Singapore, given the country’s strategic geographic location.

“Singapore is our most significant trading partner in South East Asia and a critical hub for New Zealand supply lines. They are a key like-minded partner on the importance of international trade rules,” he said.

“Singapore’s innovative and open approach to international trade has made us natural partners on issues such as the green economy and supply chain management.”