John Key makes the first visit by a New Zealand prime minister to Canada in a decade when he arrives in Ottawa today.Mr Key is to hold talks with his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper, other government ministers and business leaders.He is hoping to buil
John Key makes the first visit by a New Zealand prime minister to Canada in a decade when he arrives in Ottawa today.
Mr Key is to hold talks with his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper, other government ministers and business leaders.
He is hoping to build the relationship between the two countries as it has fallen off the agenda as successive governments have directed their diplomatic efforts towards Asia and the United States.
It is the first visit by a New Zealand prime minister to Canada in 11 years.
Mr Key left Washington for Canada confident that New Zealand's relationship with the United States is stronger then ever.
Speaking to the US-NZ Council in Washington DC following the Nuclear Security Summit there, Mr Key said New Zealand and the US were "natural partners" due to shared values including commitment to democracy, rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights.
"And we are prepared to defend these values -- together."
He said the relationship had survived "difficult times", but was continuing to go "from strength to strength".
Mr Key highlighted areas where the two countries had worked together: Afghanistan, the Global Research Alliance, South Pacific, Antarctica and now tackling nuclear terrorism.
"Our like-minded approach makes me ambitious for the relationship between our two countries."
In Washington, nuclear security and trade dominated the agenda with Mr Key pushing the US to embrace a free trade agreement (FTA) for the Asia Pacific region.
Mr Key is expected to return to New Zealand by Monday to chair a Cabinet meeting.
