Gillard: 'We share common bonds'

John Key greets Julia Gillard at Auckland Airport. Photo / Greg Bowker

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she is looking forward to building on New Zealand and Australia's close partnership during her brief 28-hour visit.

Ms Gillard arrived in Auckland on an Australian Air Force modified Boeing 737 VIP aircraft at midday where she was greeted by Prime Minister John Key.

She immediately left the airport for the city where she was to speak at a Trans-Tasman Business Circle lunch.

Speaking to media before the lunch, she spoke of the two countries' close relationship.

"Australia and New Zealand are very close friends. We share a strategic outlook, we share common bonds, we share our long-standing Anzac tradition, and of course we share a partnership based on our economic integration.

"I will be talking about that over lunch today."

This afternoon Ms Gillard will visit Glen Taylor School in Glendowie where she will meet pupils and staff.

Tomorrow in Wellington she will call on the Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand before meeting Mr Key and cabinet ministers at Parliament.

She was to address Parliament in the debating chamber but it would not be during a formal session of Parliament after the Green Party objected, saying it would set a precedent.

Mr Key said yesterday she would be the first foreign leader to speak in Parliament and that was a very significant event which showed the importance of the relationship between New Zealand and Australia.

Ms Gillard said today that was a matter for the New Zealand Parliament and was looking forward to addressing Parliament.

"I'm absolutely honoured to have the opportunity to speak to members of the New Zealand Parliament in their parliamentary chambers."

After an official lunch in the Beehive Banquet Hall Ms Gillard will meet volunteers who went to Australia to help with Queensland flood damage.

She is also to attend an Order of Australia investiture at the Australian High Commission, meet opposition leader Phil Goff and attend a joint wreath-laying ceremony with Mr Key at the National War Memorial.

She is due to fly out of Wellington for Canberra shortly before 4pm tomorrow.