New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon welcoming Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Queenstown.
Photo: RNZ / Katie Todd
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese are in discussions right now in Queenstown – with matters relating to the Middle East expected to be front and centre.
The annual Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting was held in Queenstown, with formal talks taking place on Saturday at Te Wharehuanui – a private retreat built by Xero founder Rod Drury.
The summit opened with a pōwhiri by Ngāi Tahu, which Albanese described as “very moving”. Albanese is accompanied on the visit by fiancée Jodie Haydon.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (left) with the former chairman of the Ngāi Tahu Māori Trust Board, Sir Tipene O’Regan.
Photo: RNZ / Katie Todd
In his opening remarks, Albanese thanked Luxon and his wife Amanda for the “warm generous welcome” and said it was a “delight” to be back in New Zealand – his third visit as prime minister, but one of many over the years.
He recalled last visiting Queenstown as a backpacker “last century” and said holding the meeting in such a location was “a great honour”.
Albanese spoke of the “uncertain world” the two nations face; the one certainty, he said, was that “Australia and New Zealand stand together”, a relationship going back to the ANZACs.
Luxon’s comments reflected a similar sentiment: “The world seems really uncertain and fractious, and actually, we have no greater friend than Australia.”
He and Albanese have known each other since Luxon’s time at Air New Zealand, when Albanese was Australia’s transport minister.
The yearly fixture alternates between the two countries and allows the prime ministers to discuss bilateral ties and set priorities for the year ahead.
This year’s talks were expected to canvass the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Palestinian statehood, as well as security, defence and economic challenges closer to home.
Earlier on Saturday, the foreign ministers of New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s latest large-scale military operation in Gaza.
They warned the plans risked violating international law and would aggravate the “catastrophic humanitarian situation”.
The statement also reaffirmed support for a negotiated two-state solution, dependent on a demilitarised Hamas having no role in the governance of Gaza.
Both Luxon and Albanese separately discussed Gaza this week with French President Emmanuel Macron, after France, Canada and the United Kingdom signalled they would recognise Palestine at a United Nations summit next month.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arriving in Queenstown.
Photo: RNZ / Katie Todd
Both New Zealand and Australia have said it is a question of “when, not if” they recognise a Palestinian state, but neither have commited to a timeline.
Luxon has called the trans-Tasman relationship “the best it’s ever been”. Two-way trade is worth $32 billion, and ministers on both sides have been meeting regularly to strengthen ties.
Albanese is also expected to take part in a business roundtable with the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum later on Saturday.
On Sunday, the leaders are due to lay a wreath at Arrowtown War Memorial Park before Albanese departs.
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