Auckland, February 22: Branding Australia as "family" rather than "friends", meant the leaders could have more forthright conversations," said New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern. This was the first occasion both Prime Ministers jointly address the business community. It is a rare opportunity for them to share their vision and policies for promoting the economic and social development of both countries. As this is his first trip to New Zealand as a Prime Minister.
New Zealand has ramped up its rhetoric against Australia's policy of deportations, calling it "corrosive" in our relationship with that country.
Successive New Zealand governments have complained about Australia's policy of deporting non-citizens who have committed crimes. More than 1,500 New Zealanders have been deported since the Government toughened its approach.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern singled out the issue in her opening remarks, alongside Australian counterpart Scott Morrison, in which she was also careful to say our relationship with Australia transcended Government relations. Scott Morrison says the Australian Government's policy will remain in place.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrived at the Business roundtable meeting the Sky City Convention Centre.
At the press conference with Jacinda Ardern, he talked about family, the 600 Aussies who helped out after the Christchurch earthquake, the Kiwis fighting fire in Tasmania, the closeness of the two countries and of whanau.
"It's beyond politics, it's beyond sport on occasions, it goes beyond everything," Morrison said at a press conference.
Having encountered Ardern before at the East Asia Summit in Singapore, Morrison looked genuinely relaxed with her at the podium holding a joint press conference after the annual formal leaders' talks.
The level of comfort and connection undoubtedly made Ardern's decision to sock it to him over deportations easier.
Morrison inspected the New Zealand troops, before he and Ardern entered Government House to share lunch before beginning their formal talks.