6 Nov 2010

Clinton wraps up New Zealand visit

10:07 pm on 6 November 2010

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton left New Zealand on Saturday for the next stop on her tour of the Asia-Pacific region.

Mrs Clinton flew out of Christchurch airport and has arrived in Melbourne, after a visit that cemented a new strategic partnership between New Zealand and the US with the signing of the Wellington Declaration on Thursday.

New Zealand's ambassador to the United States, Mike Moore, says the three-day visit was a triumph.

Mr Moore says the Wellington Declaration will allow New Zealand to re-write its agenda in Washington, and he believes New Zealanders were very comfortable with what they heard from Mrs Clinton.

He says the Trans Pacific Partnership trade talks are as serious as it gets, and combining with the other seven countries involved in the talks helps open doors in Washington.

The declaration commits both countries to regular political and military talks, and working more closely together in the Pacific.