Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will undertake a small number of international engagements this year, focused on advancing New Zealand’s trade and economic interests.
He will travel with a trade delegation to Australia this weekend to mark 40 years of Closer Economic Relations.
The Prime Minister will also travel to the United Kingdom to attend the Coronation of King Charles III in May.
He will be joined by a delegation of prominent Kiwis and community representatives who will represent the country at the Coronation.
He has also accepted an invitation to attend the NATO leaders’ summit in Vilnius Lithuania in July.
“My focus is on the cost of living and cyclone recovery challenges New Zealand is facing. As such I will only undertake a small number of international engagements this year,” Prime Minister Hipkins says.
“When overseas I will look to put trade front and centre in order to support our economic recovery.
“I will be taking a business delegation with me to Australia and will be seeking to advance our trade deal with the UK when in London for the King’s Coronation and with the EU when I attend NATO.”https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-4900157968103217&output=html&h=280&adk=1964044400&adf=1377715238&pi=t.aa~a.777292416~i.13~rp.4&w=635&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1681773619&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=4515214234&ad_type=text_image&format=635×280&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.voxy.co.nz%2Fpolitics%2F5%2F415516&fwr=0&pra=3&rh=159&rw=635&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&fa=27&dt=1681775178542&bpp=2&bdt=2466&idt=-M&shv=r20230413&mjsv=m202304100101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D4683a8f68fa2f72c-22c065d2c2d80094%3AT%3D1670456588%3ART%3D1670456588%3AS%3DALNI_MYVw8ZDfkdngQPvHkjCHbDZTH7dSQ&gpic=UID%3D00000b8bcec9102e%3AT%3D1670456588%3ART%3D1681775164%3AS%3DALNI_MZCzGoN2MX8PeYo9tdOJuqLrGx_hQ&prev_fmts=0x0%2C1200x280&prev_slotnames=5127510444%2C4268056045&nras=3&correlator=3073304855725&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1031813580.1670456586&ga_sid=1681775177&ga_hid=1890265198&ga_fc=1&u_tz=720&u_his=1&u_h=864&u_w=1536&u_ah=816&u_aw=1536&u_cd=24&u_sd=1.25&adx=293&ady=722&biw=1536&bih=704&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44759927%2C44759876%2C44759837%2C42531706&oid=2&psts=AHQMDFcLbrr3dqVLtKDCYf9I7Ztha8BNQ_-yhOGwFgQMsX4phMX3PjTSJ_BpNkP5L2S8AnVsz1oUEDpU7Ti9kl8&pvsid=721768650714068&tmod=1667209085&nvt=1&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.voxy.co.nz%2F&fc=1408&brdim=-7%2C-7%2C-7%2C-7%2C1536%2C0%2C1550%2C830%2C1536%2C704&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=23&ifi=5&uci=a!5&btvi=2&fsb=1&xpc=v6rmSttJO0&p=http%3A//www.voxy.co.nz&dtd=1768
These three trips have been confirmed. The Government is continuing to pursue a trade focused trip to China later in the year.
Australia
The Prime Minister will visit Australia this Saturday and Sunday, 22-23 April, to meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and advance people and business ties between the two countries.
“During our last meeting in February, Prime Minister Albanese and I discussed the situation of New Zealand citizens living in Australia. This visit will follow up on those discussions,” Prime Minister Hipkins says.
“My visit will also reinforce the trade and economic benefits and resilience which New Zealand gains from the trans-Tasman relationship, as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Closer Economic Relations.
“New Zealand and Australia’s economic success is inextricably linked. The Single Economic Market is a powerful engine for growth on both sides of the Tasman.”
Prime Minister Hipkins will be joined by the Minister for Trade and Export Growth, Damien O’Connor, and will travel with a business delegation and senior Māori representatives. They will attend a business networking dinner with key Australian and New Zealand contacts.
“I look forward to supporting New Zealand businesses with growth ambitions in Australia, including several Māori businesses and firms from cyclone-affected areas.” Prime Minister Hipkins says.
King Charles III Coronation
The Prime Minister will attend the Coronation service of King Charles III in London on May 6 along with the Governor-General, the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, senior Royal Honours holders, iwi leaders, and community representatives. In recognition that it is an election year, the Prime Minister has also invited the Leader of the Opposition to attend.
The Prime Minister will depart for the United Kingdom on 1 May and undertake trade focused activities in the UK prior to the Coronation to promote the NZ/UK FTA.
“It’s important for the Government and the country to be represented at our Head of State’s Coronation,” Prime Minister Hipkins says.
