Trans-Tasman relations ‘reset’

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said transTasman relations had been ‘‘reset’’ after a meeting with her Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Sydney yesterday.

China’s actions in the Pacific, climate change, 501 deportations and the rights of New Zealanders in Australia dominated discussions when the pair met at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Office for their first bilateral meeting.

Albanese’s comments in a post-meeting press conference that he had listened to Ardern’s concerns over deporting New Zealand citizens on criminal or character grounds even if they had lived their whole lives in Australia were a ‘‘significant shift’’, the prime minister said.

‘‘Never have I seen anyone even willing to take a look before so that in itself – three weeks into a new government – is a significant shift,’’ Ardern said.

Defence, climate change and the Pacific were also traversed during the pair’s ‘‘substantial discussions’’.

Australia has larger geopolitical influence in the region than New Zealand, not only because of its size but through its position in the Aukus trilateral security pact and the Quad, a security dialogue that serves as a counterweight to China.

But Albanese said New Zealand’s absence from these groupings did not stop it having input.

‘‘There are no proposals to expand beyond the Quad but that does not mean our friends and allies can’t have input through that process ... the relationship between New Zealand and Australia is so strong.’’

Albanese said the trans-Tasman relationship would be taken to a ‘‘new level’’ with ‘‘new jobs, new growth, new opportunities to co-operate’’. Both signalled further work on improving New Zealanders’ ability to gain Australian residency.

Ardern later told reporters she again raised the rights of Kiwis living in Australia after a 2001 law change limited the ability of New Zealanders in Australia to access healthcare and welfare.

‘‘What we continue to raise is that New Zealanders are Australia’s best citizens in terms of their employment, in terms of their tax contribution, and always seeking this recognition of that and for them to have access to the rights that their tax payment should afford,’’ she said.

‘‘You heard a view that there was some work to be done and, again, that is more of an open door than we have had for years.’’

Ardern said they also discussed Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the Christchurch Call commitment to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online, indigenous policy as well as the climate crisis.

Ardern said New Zealand and Australia had much in common, which would underpin their foreign policy. ‘‘There is much more that unites us than will ever divide us because we are first and foremost family.’’

Ahead of their meeting, Albanese welcomed Ardern and remarked they had both been DJs. He described New Zealand and Australia as great friends, and said it was important the two counties ‘‘stand side by side’’.

Ardern had dinner with Albanese and his family shortly after arriving on Thursday and the pair exchanged gifts.

She appeared on Australian breakfast TV shows early yesterday, and explained her concerns about ‘‘501s’’.

Australia is New Zealand’s only formal ally, and its most important diplomatic and economic partner.