Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked Jacinda Ardern about indigenous issues when the pair met for a one-on-one at a summit for ASEAN leaders in the Philippines.
He said the New Zealand and Canadian governments share common values on climate change, feminist foreign policy and progressive trade.
"We've had many conversations already over the past few days, but this is an opportunity to really dig into the bilateral relationship [and] talk about a number of things we have shared values on," Mr Trudeau said ahead of the meeting.
"Whether it's a progressive trade agenda, whether it's looking at climate change, whether it's talking about how we're developing a feminist international development policy and feminist foreign policy."
One topic Mr Trudeau said he really wanted to speak to Ms Ardern about was indigenous issues.
"The one I've been very impressed with - and obviously we have a lot of work to do - is indigenous issues. You have different but similar challenges and approaches, and I think we can learn a lot from each other."
Meanwhile, Ms Ardern took the opportunity to put Mr Trudeau on the spot.
"I'm going to put you in the awkward position of inviting you to New Zealand in front of the media," she joked.
"It's on public record - you should feel bound by that."
She later said the "precise" invitation was for Mr Trudeau to visit Antartica to see the work New Zealand is doing there.
Mr Trudeau made headlines in Reuters on Monday for ordering fried chicken and a strawberry float to eat in the car, after visiting a family planning centre.
Newshub.
