Anthony Albanese says he and Kiwi Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern are in “lockstep” over the Pacific to push back against China’s attempts to build influence, after New Zealand roused Beijing’s ire by criticising the Communist regime’s security agreement with Solomon Islands.

Following talks with Mr Albanese in Sydney on Friday, Ms Ardern said the Pacific was “choosing for themselves” against entering into security pacts with Beijing after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s bid for a regional agreement failed.