Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna is arriving in New Zealand tonight for celebrations of the country's 50 years of self-government.
The visit would mark the special relationship between the two countries, which had been built up in the past 50 years, Prime Minister John Key said.
"It was my pleasure to attend the celebrations marking 50 years of Cook Islands self-government in free association with New Zealand in Rarotonga last week," Mr Key said.
"The anniversary is a significant occasion for both our countries and I am pleased to confirm that New Zealand will return that hospitality, and mark the anniversary with a celebration of our own."
Mr Puna would attend several community and official engagements, including meeting Mr Key at Government House in Auckland and attending a wreath-laying ceremony at the Auckland War Memorial Museum on Thursday.
