An improved relationship between Australia and New Zealand will be mutually beneficial, Australian Labor Party leader Bill Shorten says.
The Opposition Leader is in Wellington this weekend for the New Zealand Labour Party's election year congress.
It's the first time a leader of the Australian Labor Party has attended such a gathering on the other side of the Tasman.
Mr Shorten says he regards the relationship with New Zealand as one of Australia's key foreign policy relationships.
"If we can improve the relationship between Australia and New Zealand, if we can forge greater links, then that is to the mutual benefit of both of our nations," he told reporters on Sunday.
Mr Shorten met with Labour leader David Cunliffe on Saturday and the pair discussed a number of bilateral issues they plan to work on together.
He also spoke to Prime Minister John Key on Saturday night.
"Australia is very fortunate that so many New Zealand-born people have chosen to live in Australia," Mr Shorten said on Saturday.
"It's a distinct source of national advantage for Australia."
However, Mr Shorten said both countries could do more to look into what further improvements can be made to make the lives of New Zealanders living in Australia - and the lives of Australians living in New Zealand - easier.
"We should make sure that where there are bureaucratic red tape problems that we work together to eliminate them in the best interests of both our peoples."
Mr Shorten said he's particularly concerned about the plight of the children of New Zealand-born parents in Australia who are affected by impairments and disabilities.
New Zealanders living in Australia are unable to access a number social services, including welfare payments.
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