Finance Minister Bill English says New Zealand has been given a unique opportunity to rub shoulders with the decision makers of the world's largest economies.
Bill English has been in Sydney for the G20 meeting under Australia's 2014 presidency of the forum. Photo: AAP / DAN HIMBRECHTS
Earlier this month, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott extended an invitation to New Zealand to attend this year's series of Group of 20 meetings in Australia, dubbing it the G21.
Mr English was in Sydney this weekend for the first gathering of the world's largest developed and developing economies under Australia's 2014 presidency of the forum.
"We've been treated very well," Mr English told AAP on Sunday.
"But we understand there are 20 very large economies here, and they do want to have their say. So we don't get in their way."
Mr English said it had been a unique opportunity to understand what those countries were thinking and the likely decisions that would affect New Zealand.
New Zealand businesses were also invited to join B20 discussions - the business arm of the G20 - and an Australasian business week would be held around the middle of the year.
Mr English said New Zealand businesses would be able to tout their ventures and attract investment, a lot of which comes from Australia.
Conversely, the minister wants to see more New Zealand business investment in Australia, after flat-lining for the past decade.