New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins to visit Australia

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will visit Australia in his first international trip as leader.

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will travel to Australia in his first international trip since taking over from Jacinda Ardern. Picture: Lynn Grieveson/Getty Images

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will visit Australia next week in his first overseas trip since taking on the top job.

Mr Hipkins will travel to Canberra for a day trip next Tuesday, where he will meet with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.

The Australian Prime Minister said he looked forward to hosting Mr Hipkins and discussing ways to “build on trans-Tasman co-operation”.

“Australia and New Zealand have an extremely close relationship, underpinned by our shared history and generations of personal, business and government links,” Mr Albanese said.

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will visit Australia next week. Picture: Lynn Grieveson/Getty Images

New Zealand is now grappling with the aftermath of serious flooding in Auckland, where a state of emergency remains in place and flood waters have killed at least four people and displaced hundreds of others.

Mr Albanese said Australia stood ready to support New Zealand as needed.

“I offer my condolences to all those affected by the devastating floods and loss of life in Auckland. We stand ready to support our family and friends in New Zealand, if needed,” he said.

Mr Hipkins replaced Jacinda Ardern as Labour Party leader last week after the former prime minister announced her surprise resignation after confirming an election would be held in October this year.

Ms Ardern in June last year became the first foreign leader to travel to Australia to meet with Mr Albanese after the Australian federal election.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he is looking forward to hosting his NZ counterpart in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Announcing his trip to Canberra, Mr Hipkins said New Zealand’s relationship with Australia was its closest and most important.

“Prime Minister Albanese was the first international leader I spoke with after becoming Prime Minister,” Mr Hipkins said.

“I look forward to continuing our discussion in person on how we can further work together to secure our economies against the global economic challenges we all face.

“As well as economic issues, I look forward to discussing our many shared security priorities within the bilateral relationship, and for our engagement in the Pacific and wider Indo-Pacific regions.

This year will be one of important milestones for Australia and New Zealand, which launched bilateral diplomatic representation 80 years ago.

The two nations will also mark the 40-year anniversary of the signing of the Closer Economic Relations Free Trade Agreement, which is one of the most comprehensive free trade agreements in the world.