Leaders of Australia and NZ to Meet in Queenstown for Annual Bilateral Talks

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will host Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the annual Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting, to be held in Queenstown on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August 2025. The high-level diplomatic gathering is set to reaffirm the close and enduring ties between the two neighbours, while exploring new avenues for economic cooperation and regional stability.

Mr Albanese will be accompanied by his fiancée Jodie Haydon, with both expected to participate in cultural, diplomatic, and economic engagements during their visit. Prime Minister Luxon praised the bilateral relationship ahead of the visit, calling it a vital foundation amid a changing global landscape.

“In today’s uncertain world, one certainty is that the Australia-New Zealand relationship is the bedrock as we look out into the world,” said Mr Luxon. “Australia is our only ally and a vital economic partner. With two-way trade of $32 billion, I look forward to discussing what more we can do as we tackle economic challenges on both sides of the Tasman.”

Cultural Welcome and Economic Dialogue

Prime Minister Albanese and Ms Haydon will be officially welcomed by local iwi Ngāi Tahu at a pōwhiri, marking the beginning of the weekend's formal proceedings. The pōwhiri will offer an opportunity to showcase Māori tikanga (customs) and highlight the importance of cultural ties in the bilateral relationship.

Following the ceremonial welcome, the leaders will engage in closed-door bilateral talks, expected to cover a wide range of shared priorities, including:

• Economic resilience and cooperation

• Climate action and energy transition

• Regional security in the Indo-Pacific

• Migration, skills, and workforce mobility

• Technology and digital trade

Business Roundtable and Leadership Forum

A major feature of the meeting will be a business roundtable, hosted in collaboration with the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF). This forum brings together top business and government leaders from both countries and serves as a catalyst for private sector collaboration across key industries including agriculture, finance, manufacturing, and innovation.

The roundtable is expected to discuss how to accelerate post-COVID recovery, respond to cost-of-living pressures, and boost trans-Tasman productivity. Leaders are also anticipated to explore new areas of alignment in green technology, infrastructure investment, and digital transformation.

A Diplomatic Setting in Scenic Central Otago

The choice of Queenstown, one of New Zealand’s most picturesque destinations, adds a touch of diplomacy through hospitality. The alpine resort town, known for its lakes, mountains, and thriving tourism economy, will also serve as a backdrop for informal engagements and regional promotion.

The leaders and their delegations are expected to participate in sightseeing activities in the Central Otago region, further reinforcing the value of cultural diplomacy and people-to-people ties between Australians and New Zealanders.

“I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Albanese and his fiancée Jodie Haydon to a beautiful part of New Zealand,” Luxon said. “It’s not just about formal talks; it’s also about strengthening the unique friendship that binds our nations.”

A Pillar of Regional Stability

The Australia–New Zealand relationship, often described as "closer than any other bilateral relationship in the world," is underpinned by the Closer Economic Relations (CER) agreement signed in 1983. This pact remains one of the most comprehensive free trade agreements globally, and discussions in Queenstown are expected to reflect its evolving nature in an era of digital and services-based trade.

In recent years, both nations have also deepened cooperation on defence, Pacific engagement, and climate adaptation in small island states. The leaders are likely to reaffirm these joint priorities amid increasing strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific and rising global uncertainty.

Looking Ahead

With the world facing interconnected economic, climate, and security challenges, the Queenstown meeting represents more than just a ceremonial occasion. It’s a chance for two of the closest partners in the Pacific to reaffirm their strategic alignment and set a renewed agenda for cooperation.

As both countries look to the future, they do so as neighbours not only bound by geography, but also by shared values, mutual respect, and a commitment to ensuring peace and prosperity across the region.