The prime minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, said that he will visit Sydney on Wednesday to meet with his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, and talk about the security and economic ties between the two nations.

Australia is New Zealand’s most significant partner, according to a statement released on Monday by Luxon, the prime minister-designate who was sworn in this month. Luxon was formerly an airline CEO.

“New Zealand is committed to working together with Australia to support a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region. I look forward to discussing our close security and defence relationship,” Luxon said.

He added that greater focus was needed on improving the business environment in both New Zealand and Australia.

This will be Luxon’s first official visit to Australia since becoming prime minister, although he travelled to Melbourne earlier this month to attend his daughter’s graduation from university.

Foreign policy is not expected to change significantly with the new government in New Zealand. Luxon has said on a number of occasions that foreign policy is largely bipartisan.

New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay said in a separate statement on Monday that he would be making his first overseas visits this week, with stops in Singapore and India.