Prime Minister John Key flies out on Sunday afternoon for Canberra, where he will become the first New Zealand prime minister to address the Australian Parliament.
Mr Key will be the eighth foreign leader to speak to the Australian Parliament, following three American presidents and the leaders of Britain, China, Indonesia and Canada.
In her speech to the New Zealand Parliament in February, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard told MPs Australia has many friends and allies but only New Zealand is family.
Mr Key is expected to reply in kind, with a speech emphasising the bonds that tie the trans-Tasman neighbours together.
