Trans-Tasman bubble: Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne to visit New Zealand

Pictured: Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta and her Australian counterpart Marise Payne.
Pictured: Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta and her Australian counterpart Marise Payne. Photo credit: Getty

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne will visit New Zealand this week, just days after the commencement of the trans-Tasman travel bubble. 

Payne will arrive in New Zealand on Wednesday and depart on Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced on Monday. 

Mahuta said Payne's visit marks the first face-to-face Foreign Ministers consultation since the COVID-19 pandemic began.  

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, as throughout our history, our countries have worked together extremely closely. This visit symbolises the success of our respective COVID-19 strategies as we take our first step to reconnect with the world," Mahuta said. 

"The trans-Tasman relationship is overwhelmingly positive. Our people are closely connected, our economies are deeply integrated.

"These biannual discussions are a chance to cover the full range of foreign policy matters important to both countries, including key regional and global issues."

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described Payne's visit as "significant" and said she will likely join Mahuta in meeting with the Australian Foreign Minister. 

Payne will be accompanied by Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Hon Zed Seselja, who will meet with Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon Aupito William Sio.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is also expected to visit New Zealand this year, to meet with his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern. 

Ardern said she will likely bring Morrison to the South Island, to help sell New Zealand as a tourism destination for Australians.