Aussie foreign minister to visit
The Australian foreign minister who said she would find it hard to work with a Labour Government will visit New Zealand this week.
Julie Bishop will meet with Foreign Minister Winston Peters in Auckland and on Waiheke Island for policy discussions on Friday and Saturday.
She is not expected to meet Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
‘‘Australia is New Zealand’s most important bilateral partner and our dis- cussion will help ensure the trans-Tasman relationship is working effectively,’’ the NZ First leader said.
Peters and Bishop have met once before at Apec’s Vietnam summit in November.
Bishop said the relationship between the two countries was the closest and most comprehensive relationship Australia had.
‘‘It is underpinned by deep and dynamic links between our peoples through family, business enterprise, cultural activity and sporting rivalry.
‘‘Around 650,000 New Zealanders live in Australia, and close to 70,000 Australians live in New Zealand,’’ Bishop added.
‘‘New Zealand is an essential and valuable partner in supporting economic growth, stability and security of the Pacific.
‘‘Mr Peters and I will discuss how to increase our shared efforts to support Pacific Island countries to tackle development challenges and promote a stable and resilient region.’’
Last year, Bishop famously remarked that she would find it hard to build trust with a New Zealand Labour Government following revelations now-Education Minister Chris Hipkins was asked by an Australian friend to check on the citizenship status of Australians born to Kiwi fathers.
A separate but related inquiry ultimately led to Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce briefly resigning after it was revealed he was technically a New Zealand citizen.
Bishop later said that since Ardern had described Hipkins’ actions as ‘‘unacceptable’’, the issue was resolved.