Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's arrival in Sydney has coincided with the New South Wales state government declaring a natural disaster after a year's worth of rain fell in three days.
It's seen Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese make immediate flood assistance available to Kiwis living there in what Ardern says shows a "fundamental change" in how New Zealanders are treated by the Australian government.
Ardern arrived in soggy, flood-stricken Sydney on Wednesday. Emergency services in the city made more than 100 rescues overnight, while 50,000 people were told to evacuate their homes after 20cm of rain fell in 24 hours.
"We've been here 25 years and this year it's been the worst. We've had three major floods in three years, and it's just been shocking," said resident Laura Masi.
Just treetops and rooftops were left visible in some of the worst-hit areas.
Albanese announced a $1000 relief package for residents affected by the flooding, including Kiwis living in the region, regardless of citizenship.
That's something that hasn't always been a given and a signal the newly minted Aussie PM is keen on giving New Zealanders living here stronger support and rights.
"This for me feels like a natural return to a policy now grounded in fairness," Ardern said.
It's something Ardern's already said she plans on raising with Albanese when she meets with him on Friday.
"It's a significant shift to see that flood-affected Kiwis get the same access to relief as Australians will," she said.
Making headway with our Aussie friends by mixing and mingling at a black-tie event in Melbourne on Tuesday night, the Prime Minister didn't waste an opportunity to address a serious and long-standing trans-Tasman feud for the Aussies in the room.
"I do leave you with one parting message - the pavlova is ours."
The pavlova debate may not be settled, but the trans-Tasman relationship is going strong.
