Germany's Speaker to visit New Zealand

Speaker David Carter will host his German counterpart Norbert Lammert in New Zealand next week. Picture: Mark Mitchell

One of Germany's most senior political figures is visiting New Zealand next week.

Professor Norbert Lammert, the Speaker of the German Federal Parliament, will attend events in Auckland and Wellington.

He has been President, or Speaker of the Bundestag since 2005, and was previously a Government minister.

New Zealand's Speaker David Carter said Lammert's visit would further enhance New Zealand's relationship with Germany.

Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel visited New Zealand in 2014, and Prime Minister John Key led a New Zealand delegation to Germany last year.

"[The visit] will provide Dr Lammert with opportunities to learn first-hand about New Zealand and our strong links," Carter said.

"It will enable us to discuss and exchange views on a wide range of issues affecting Germany and New Zealand."

While in New Zealand, Lammert will mark the Germany Day of Unity, visit the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre, and lay a wreath at the National War Memorial in Wellington.