Christopher Luxon. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Christopher Luxon will make his first visit to the Pacific as prime minister this week.
He will leave on Tuesday, visiting Niue and Fiji.
"Niue and Fiji are two of New Zealand's closest friends in the Pacific," Luxon said in a statement on Sunday morning.
"The government is committed to deeper and more comprehensive relationships in the region, and this visit is an opportunity to reaffirm New Zealand's position as a trusted partner."
Niue, like the Cook Islands, is self-governing in free association with New Zealand. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the arrangement, which was formalised with the Niue Constitution Act 1974.
"Niue and New Zealand have a unique constitutional arrangement and we work closely together. As we celebrate this anniversary, it's important we also look forward to the next 50 years," Luxon said.
"Our mutual expectations and priorities, and how we can reinforce our special relationship, is something I will be discussing with Premier Dalton Tagelagi."
In Fiji, Luxon will meet with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to discuss trade and the "choppy geostrategic waters ahead" in the Pacific.
"The partnership between our two countries is broader than most New Zealanders are aware of, from our close security cooperation to our business links, and - of course - our shared love of rugby…
"Fiji is our biggest trading partner amongst Pacific islands countries and there is plenty of scope to leverage even more economic opportunities for Kiwi and Fijian businesses."
Luxon will come home on Friday, 7 June.
Since becoming prime minister, Luxon has so far visited Australia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.
He skipped the Pacific Islands Forum late last year, sending then-National Party foreign affairs spokesperson Gerry Brownlee instead, with the coalition government yet to be formalised.