New Zealand hosted PM of Australia in first assembly because the outbreak

How to reopen borders after rising friction and epidemics with China will possible be one of many matters mentioned by leaders in Australia and New Zealand at their first face-to-face assembly because the outbreak of coronovirus brought about each international locations Inspired to shut their borders.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison arrived on the vacationer vacation spot of Queenstown on Sunday night time’s go to. He greeted his New Zealand counterpart, Jacinda Ardern, as a standard Maori, with the pair greeting one another with a nose-eyebrow.

Morrison is the primary main world chief to go to New Zealand as each international locations closed their borders to forestall the virus final yr. Neighbors opened a quarantine-free journey bubble final month, though a current virus outbreak in Melbourne has prompted New Zealand to droop preparations with the state of Victoria.

Morrison’s go to got here as New Zealand was battling widespread flooding within the Canterbury space following heavy rains. Video footage reveals a farmer being rescued by helicopter from a raging river, whereas different swollen rivers threaten to flood hundreds of properties.

Queenstown was chosen intentionally for the assembly as New Zealand tries to revive its battered tourism business. Queenstown has been significantly tough with the epidemic, though tourism operators say they anticipate a lift from Australian vacationers throughout the upcoming ski season, now that the journey bubble has begun.

Changing mobility with China has been a giant matter in each international locations.

Australia’s relationship with China has deteriorated considerably. China has blocked some Australian exports after Australia referred to as China-based telecommunications firm Huawei out of its 5G telephone community and for an impartial investigation into the origin of coronavirus.

New Zealand has additionally been extra vocal in opposition to China on some points in current months, though has had higher relations with the superpower than Australia thus far.

Ardern mentioned she would communicate with Morrison on key regional challenges and safety points to beat the epidemic.

“Our relations with Australia are our closest and most important and this has never been more evident to the world through these difficult times,” Ardern informed reporters.