Rudd to tour Christchurch before ministerial talks

Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd. Photo / Greg Bowker

Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd will visit quake-stricken Christchurch this afternoon before talks with his Kiwi counterpart Murray McCully.

Mr Rudd and Mr McCully will meet tonight and tomorrow for their twice-yearly meeting.

This afternoon Mr Rudd will meet Australian personnel assisting with earthquake recovery.

"Coming from Queensland, I know all too well the terrible toll that nature can exact," Mr Rudd said in a statement.

"Canterbury and Queensland are working hard to recover from the earthquake and floods and show the rest of the world that they are open for business."

Mr Rudd said Australia's high commission staff in New Zealand did Australia proud in the aftermath of the earthquake and he wanted to acknowledge their performance under sustained pressure.

Mr McCully said the formal talks tomorrow would be a chance for him to thank Australia for its help.

"These talks also give me an opportunity to thank Mr Rudd in person for the tremendous support of the Australian government and the Australian people following the Christchurch earthquake."

Routine talks would also go ahead.

"We will discuss a range of bilateral, regional and global foreign policy issues, including recent events in the Middle East, and our ongoing cooperation in the Pacific and the wider Asia-Pacific region," Mr McCully said.

Mr Rudd said the talks showed that the cross-Tasman relationship was "front and centre to Australia's economic and foreign policy interests".

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard visited New Zealand in February, and also attended the Christchurch memorial service, along with Governor-General Quentin Bryce and Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott, last week.

The last talks between the foreign ministers were held in Australia in November.

- NZPA