Today I will travel to Aotearoa-New Zealand to advance Australia's trade and economic relationships in the region.
The Australia-New Zealand relationship is underpinned by generations of friendship, shared interests, and a common outlook as Pacific countries.
I look forward to meeting with New Zealand's Minister for Trade, the Hon Todd McClay, for our annual Closer Economic Relations Trade Ministers' Meeting. We will discuss our cooperation on a broad range of important bilateral, regional, and global trade and economic issues.
While in New Zealand, we will be joined by Fiji Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, the Hon Manoa Kamikamica, to discuss the importance of trade and investment across the Pacific.
I also look forward to discussions with New Zealand's Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, the Hon Matt Doocey, and Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica, about how we can boost our respective tourism industries, promote more flights, and create a more seamless experience for travellers.
I will meet with some of Australia's top businesses and exporters operating in New Zealand to discuss new trade and investment opportunities as part of the Australia-New Zealand Business Leadership Forum.
After more than 40 years of our trade agreement with New Zealand, our economies are some of the closest in the world, and I look forward to discussing the ways we can advance the interests of businesses, workers, and communities in our region.
