As part of the government's reconnection strategy to encourage export development and the return of tourists after COVID-19, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will lead a trade mission to Melbourne and Sydney this week that will include over 30 New Zealand firms.

While in Sydney, Jacinda Ardern will also hold her official annual Leaders' Meeting with Prime Minister Albanese and deliver a speech to the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF).

"This Government is actively building connections between government, business, and industry as one of many initiatives to reconnect New Zealand with the globe."  Ardern said.

"Australia is our second-largest trading partner, with two-way trade totaling more than $22 billion in the year ending in December 2021. Many New Zealand companies look to Australia as their top export market.

The 32 New Zealand business leaders who are participating in this trade mission demonstrate the importance of our trading relationship with Australia, ranging from small innovative companies who are relatively early in their export journey to some of our largest exporters" she said.

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