New Zealand Minister for Customs Maurice Williamson and Australian Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor today welcomed the launch of the SmartGate trans-Tasman trial.

The trial will involve the integration of New Zealand’s and Australia’s SmartGate systems and will give some travellers the opportunity to complete part of the Australian arrivals process in New Zealand.

New Zealand Climate Change Ministers Nick Smith and Tim Groser and Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus met in Wellington reaffirming the commitment of both countries to work closely together on climate change.

“Both our countries are determined to do their fair share on combating climate change and making progress on an international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” the Ministers and Parliamentary Secretary said.

Kea proudly invites you to the fourth annual Kea Festival of Kiwi Short Films, once again showcasing world-class New Zealand cinema – in bite size portions. The festival will crisscross its way along the East Coast of Australia, screening in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

New Zealand Attorney General Chris Finlayson attended the third ‘Quintet’ meeting of Attorneys-General.

The meeting was hosted by Australian Attorney General Robert McClelland in Sydney and attended by representatives from New Zealand, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. 

The group meets annually to share ideas and deal with issues of mutual concern such as counter-terrorism, national security, countering extremism, organised crime and legal cooperation.