British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says New Zealand and Britain will continue to stand together in a "world still full of threats".
Johnson made the comments shortly after unveiling a striking new Weta Workshop-designed memorial at Wellington's Pukeahu National War Memorial Park.
He also said he was keen on theidea of developing some sort of "Commonwealth countries" visa, which would recognise the links between Britain and countries such as New Zealand.
Johnson apologised for visa-processing delays that had affected some New Zealanders, and also said New Zealand was near the top of the queue for free trade agreement negotiations once Brexit was complete.
Nearly five metres tall, the new memorial is designed to show the trunks of a royal oak and a pohutukawa intertwining to form a canopy made of stained glass "leaves" and "flowers" that shine red, green and purple in the sun.
A silhouette of a single soldier is featured between the branches.
UK Foreign Minister Boris Johnson hongis with Brett Cowan at the Takahanga Marae in Kaikoura. Picture from Johnson's Twitter.
"It is a beautiful symbol of the continued growing together of our nations, but also a memorial of what we did together in the past," Johnson said as he walked to lay a wreath at the nearby Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.
"It is vital we do remember the sacrifice we made jointly, because the world is still full of threats, and I'm afraid that New Zealand and Britain are going to have to continue to stand shoulder to shoulder. And we will."
British High Commissioner Jonathan Sinclair said the memorial was the result of four years of work, and said particular thanks was due to Sir Richard Taylor and the Weta team.
Members of the public gathered to watch the unveiling stood in silence during a blessing and prayer, including a lone protestor holding up a sign accusing Johnson of closing fire stations during his time as London mayor.
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington. New Zealand Herald photograph by Mark Mitchell
Earlier today, Johnson visited Kaikoura's Takahanga Marae, where he joked that the "beautiful" hongi he received "might be misinterpreted in a pub in Glasgow". Johnson thanked representatives of the marae for the hospitality they gave British tourists who were stranded in the area after the earthquakes last November.
Of his first visit to New Zealand, Johnson said he was "ashamed" it had taken him so long to get here, saying it was the "most mind-glowingly, mind-numbingly beautiful country that I've ever seen".
"And I think probably the only landscape that I can think of that can conceivably do justice to the imagination of J.R.R. Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings."
At his regular post-Cabinet press conference this afternoon, Prime Minister Bill English said the talks with Johnson promised to be interesting.
"We are all familiar with the Foreign Secretary's eloquence."
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson arriving with New Zealand Governor General, Dame Patsy Reddy and Foreign minister Gerry Brownlee. NZ Herald photo Mark Mitchell.
Security issues, the Pacific and New Zealanders' rights to work and live in Britain will be among the issues discussed in Johnson's talks with the Government, as well as trade and the negotiation of a future free trade agreement once Brexit was concluded.
Johnson has long been an advocate for Britain to make better use of the Commonwealth in its foreign policy, and during his time as London mayor said Australians and New Zealanders should be able to live and work freely in Britain. However, his Conservative Party has promised to cut net migration.
On the increase in health surcharges for migrant workers in Britain, including Kiwis, English said the setting of charges was up to the British Government.
"We set ours, they set theirs. Our primary focus is on being able to maintain and improve access," English said.
Johnson would be told of the Government's ongoing interest on improving New Zealanders' rights in Britain.
"We have to be realistic about the position Britain is in as it embarks, just in the last few weeks, on its negotiations with the European Union."
English said the United Kingdom had some way to go before it could progress trade deal negotiations with New Zealand, and agriculture would be a "challenging" aspect.
