No disagreement between Aust, NZ on Anzac day says Clark

John Howard (L) and Helen Clark (R) walk down a nature trail in the Waitakere Ranges in Auckland today. Picture / Fotopress

There was no disagreement between Australia and New Zealand over this year's Anzac Day commemorations, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said today after talks with John Howard.

Ms Clark last week voiced her opposition to having Australian singer John Farnham performing at the 90th anniversary commemoration at Gallipoli, likening it to holding a "concert in a cemetery".

After talks with the Australian prime minister today she said that both sides agreed the service at Anzac Cove in Turkey should be dignified and appropriate.

"I think you'll find there's not daylight between us in terms of the nature of the Commonwealth commemoration," Ms Clark said.

"I've had the opportunity to speak to John Howard many times about such matters and I think the bottom line for us both to what we as descendants of the Anzac tradition do - it will be dignified and it will be appropriate."

She said they would be discussing the matter during a private lunch in Auckland today.

Before leaving Australia for New Zealand, Mr Howard said: "... I think it is appropriate that you have the right tone, and I don't think anybody is having a go at John Farnham ... but most Australians would believe that the appropriate tone should be preserved."

In two hours of talks this morning, the pair discussed their nations' economic situations, post-Asian tsunami issues, their trade relationship with Asean countries and security measures in the Pacific.

They also talked about the two countries progressing towards a single market but not about having a single currency.

Mr Howard refused to comment about New Zealand mending fences with Israel in the wake of two alleged spies being convicted of passport fraud and an Israeli diplomat being expelled from Australia.

"The situations are separate as far as Australia is concerned," he said.

- AAP