New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says he is looking forward to building on discussions with his Fijian counterpart.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is in New Zealand on his official visit.

Hipkins says New Zealand and Fiji have a long-standing relationship, based on close cooperation in areas of mutual interest like climate change, and ensuring a safe, secure, and economically prosperous Pacific region.

He says the two countries share a strong focus on Pacific regionalism, including upholding Pacific Islands Forum unity; resuming financial support for the University of South Pacific, and working with other traditional partners, such as Australia, on defense and security matters.

The New Zealand Prime Minister says they are also cooperating closely to address climate change and its impacts.

He adds both New Zealand and Fiji are not strangers to the devastating impacts of climate change, and he has also thanked Fiji for their support in their response to Cyclone Gabrielle.

While in New Zealand, Prime Minister Rabuka will undertake a series of formal engagements in Auckland and Wellington, including bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Hipkins, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta, and Minister for Climate Change James Shaw, and a ceremonial visit to the National War Memorial and Pacific War Memorial Te Reo Hotunui o te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, at Pukeahu.

He also has several community events, coordinated by the Fiji High Commission in New Zealand.

Prime Minister will leave New Zealand on Thursday.