Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna has met with Australia's Foreign Minister, Marise Payne, in Rarotonga.
In her first trip to the country, Ms Payne is holding a range of talks, including with women's representatives.
Mr Puna said talks centred on regional security and the PACER Plus trade agreement.
In October, Cook Islands put its ratification of PACER Plus on hold over fears it would miss out on assistance when it graduated to developed-country status.