New Zealand's new prime minister Chris Hipkins smiles as he is sworn in by Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro at the Government House in Wellington on January 25, 2023. PHOTO AFP WELLINGTON - New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will be in Canberra next Tuesday for an in-person meeting day trip with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Hipkins said on Tuesday that the trans-Tasman relationship is important for New Zealand's closest and most important relationship, and that it was crucial that his first overseas trip as Prime Minister was to Australia.
Prime Minister Albanese was the first international leader I spoke with after becoming Prime Minister, and I look forward to continuing our discussion in person on how we can work together to secure our economies against the global economic challenges we all face, he said.
The two are expected to discuss economic issues and shared security priorities, amongst others, according to a government statement.
The New Zealand-Australia relationship will celebrate several milestones, including 40 years of the Closer Economic Relations Agreement, 50 years of the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement and 80 years since the establishment of the High Commissions on each side, Hipkins said.