New Zealand, Australian ministers discuss Asia trade prospects

A delegation of New Zealand government ministers will meet with their Australian counterparts this week to discuss the prospects of expanding trade with Asia.

New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Bill English will head the delegation, which will leave Tuesday for the annual Australian-New Zealand Leadership Forum in Sydney on Wednesday.

He will be accompanied by Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce, Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully, Trade Minister Tim Groser and Commerce Minister Craig Foss.

"One of the objectives of this year's forum is working together to access opportunities in Asia," English said in a statement Monday.

"From New Zealand's perspective, the forum will allow us to engage with ministers in the new Australian government and agree on the direction of the trans-Tasman work program for the coming year. That is important as we agree on the next steps in the single economic market between our two countries," he said.