Mr Paterson recently approved badger culls in Somerset and Gloucestershire in order to tackle what is seen, like possums in New Zealand, as the major source of infection in farmed livestock.
He came to learn more about New Zealand's bovine TB programme and to see how effective disease and wild animal control had played its part in reducing infected herd numbers from some 1700 in 1994 to about 70 today, thus laying the platform for the country to embark on its current path towards eradicating the disease in herds.
During a visit to a Wairarapa farm, Mr Paterson was given some practical insights into TB testing, the science and technology involved in wild animal control and also discussed the progress of research into other disease control techniques including cattle vaccines.
"I have come away with enormous admiration for what you have done on your wildlife reservoir, the possum," he explained, adding that he was keen to see expertise shared between the two countries.
During the visit to Tinui, the AHB's TB Eradication and Research Manager, Dr Paul Livingstone, discussed details of the New Zealand approach and was able to share his knowledge and experience of the situation here and overseas.
Dr Livingstone has visited the UK and Ireland several times in recent years at the invitation of government experts keen to learn more about the success of the TBfree New Zealand programme.
"The UK faces a number of challenges in tackling bovine TB but we hope we were able to provide the Minister with some useful information to take back home," said Dr Livingstone.
Mr Paterson was accompanied by Professor Ian Boyd, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.