The Prime Minister of Norway is to arrive on Sunday for a six-day visit to New Zealand and Antarctica, Prime Minister John Key has announced.
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg is visiting Antarctica as a guest of the US Antarctic Programme for the centenary celebrations of the first expedition to reach the South Pole, which was led by Norwegian Roald Amundsen.
"I am pleased to welcome Jens Stoltenberg to New Zealand," Mr Key said. "Though geographically distant, Norway and New Zealand are similar-sized countries with much in common.
"Our two countries share a good record of cooperation, particularly at a multi-lateral level through organisations like the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation. Both New Zealand and Norway are also internationally-active on polar issues, especially the preservation of the Antarctic environment."
Mr Stoltenberg will arrive in Christchurch on Sunday before travelling to Antarctica. He will return to Auckland next Friday, where he and Mr Key will hold a bilateral meeting. Mr Stoltenberg will also meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs, while in New Zealand, before leaving on December 16.
