KEY POINTS:
It is time the United States relaxed its blanket ban on exercises with New Zealand defence forces, former Defence Secretary and ambassador to the United States Denis McLean said last night.
He was speaking hours before US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was due to touch down in
Auckland.
Dr Rice's visit is another milestone in the relationship between New Zealand and the United States, which has been rapidly improving since the US reviewed relations in 2006.
After a powhiri at Government House, Dr Rice will hold talks with Foreign Minister Winston Peters, then with Prime Minister Helen Clark before being hosted at a reception and a dinner.
Trade issues, including the elusive free trade agreement with the United States, are expected to be high on New Zealand's agenda.
But security issues in the Pacific and New Zealand's military co-operation in Afghanistan and to Operation Enduring Freedom in the Gulf are also likely to figure high.
Mr McLean said it was clear that New Zealand was "pulling itsweight".
But it was hard for a country's armed forces to maintain their military standards if they did not interact "with the best and brightest" in the world.
"The United States could really be doing the New Zealand defence establishment a substantial service by relaxing the blanket prohibition there seems to be on training with us," Mr McLean said.
"It is obviously a penalty for a small country trying to maintain effective military standards more or less on their own."
The US placed a ban on military exercises with New Zealand as part of its reprisals against this country's anti-nuclear stand and its forces still require a waiver from a presidential directive if they want to exercise with our troops. The differences in 1984 ended New Zealand's participation in the tripartite Anzus security alliance - though Australia and the United States remain strong allies.
Since then, the thaw has been moderate but since the US acknowledged it could live with the anti-nuclear policy, both countries have run the line that it is now the things they have in common rather than the differences that define the relationship.
The is the first visit to New Zealand by a Secretary of State for 10 years. Bill Clinton's Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, visited in 1998.
Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger, who as chairman of the NZ-US Council will host a reception for Dr Rice tonight, says he is impressed with the state of relations.
"In all my years in politics and international relations, I have never seen the momentum we currently have in the relationship between New Zealand and the United States."
NZ-US Council executive director Stephen Jacobi says personalities are important in international relations and Mr Peters has developed some sort of relationship with Dr Rice.
"Put it this way: I think it is a little more than just Winston's smile that has got her here."