Jacinda Ardern has strongly denied perceptions her government's position on China is different to Australia's, as Scott Morrison warned against those seeking to “divide” the close allies.
The two prime ministers met in Queenstown on Monday for their annual meeting, with talks focusing on the COVID-19 recovery coming amid the backdrop of an increasingly tense geopolitical environment.
They presented a picture of unity, rebuking allegations the allies were divided on key flashpoints such as how they handle China.
Strained diplomatic ties between Australia and China have seen Canberra bear the brunt of economic measures from Beijing imposed on exports of beef, barley, wine, coal, cotton, seafood, sugar and timber.
Earlier this month, Chinese state-media mouthpiece the Global Times sought to draw a distinction between New Zealand’s "positive" approach to the relationship with what it described as Australia’s “hostile actions”.
Ms Ardern told reporters on Monday she “strongly refuted” any suggestion New Zealand’s approach to central issues around trade and human rights concerning China differed with Australia's.
“I really push back on any suggestion we are not taking a strong stance on these incredibly important issues,” she told reporters.
“At no point in our discussions today did I detect any difference in our relative positions on the importance of maintaining a very strong and principled perspective on [these] issues.”
Mr Morrison also defended New Zealand’s approach to China but - without naming a specific threat - warned against those seeking to undermine the allies' relationship.
“As great partners, friends, allies, indeed family, there will be those far from here who would seek to divide us, and they will not succeed,” he told reporters in Queenstown.
“I have no doubt there will be those who would seek to undermine Australia and New Zealand security by seeking to create points of difference, which are not there.”
New Zealand’s approach to China has recently came under scrutiny after Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta
This came after members of the intelligence network issued joint statements speaking out against Hong Kong’s authoritarianism or the mistreatment of Uighurs in China’s Xinjiang region.
In a wide-ranging leaders statement following the meeting, both Mr Morrison and Ms Ardern outlined their shared concerns over these situations as well as “trade and security issues” in the Indo-Pacific.
Both leaders expressed “deep concern” over developments limiting rights and freedoms in Hong Kong and also expressed “grave concerns” about the human rights situation against Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang region.
The statement also says both leaders recognised the need to work with partners in the Indo-Pacific region to “uphold sovereignty” amid “increasing strategic competition".
They also expressed “serious concern” against militarisation activities in the South China Sea, in another apparent criticism of China’s increasingly assertive activities.
Expanding the trans-Tasman travel bubble
The leaders meeting also canvassed issues around the COVID-19 recovery, including the rollout of vaccines in the Pacific and management of the reopening of borders.
Ms Ardern said both Australia and New Zealand share an “enthusiasm” to consider expanding the trans-Tasman travel bubble more broadly to countries in the Pacific.
But she said there would remain a “high bar” for this test to be met, saying both countries would not sacrifice the freedom currently available to them through their management of COVID-19.
“We don’t want to jeopardise the freedom that we have within our own countries to move about freely and to protect the health of our citizens,” she said.
The two leaders did not nominate countries or timelines for further expansion of quarantine-free travel beyond the trans-Tasman bubble.
Mr Morrison said he remained focused on prioritising travel through labour schemes with Pacific neighbours, in particular to bring in seasonal workers.
“You've got to do it safely, and not [just] safely for Australia,” Mr Morrison said.
“We are very mindful that across the Pacific, where COVID-19 has had and will continue to have the potential to cause terrible devastation in those communities.”
The 51-point communique of agreed positions between the leaders also included the commitment to coordinated regional and global action on issues such as human rights and climate change.
Ms Ardern also once again directly raised concerns with Mr Morrison over Australia’s controversial deportation policy of New Zealanders on character grounds as well as for criminal convictions.
The policy has long been a diplomatic flashpoint for the two countries,
Ms Ardern directed a veiled swipe over the policy, claiming, in New Zealand's view, Australia has deported “Australian criminals” using the measure.
“We of course reiterate our ongoing view on the cancellation of citizenship on issues of deportation,” Ms Ardern said.
Mr Morrison said Australia stood by its laws deporting non-citizens on character grounds or for criminal offences.
