Prime Minister John Key says he believes the Australian government shares New Zealand's goal of a broad Asia-Pacific free trade deal.
Mr Key met with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard ahead of an address to its Parliament on Monday afternoon.
Before the talks, Mr Key said Australia clearly believes it can make trade gains over and above the free trade deal it already has with the United States through the current Trans-Pacific Partnership talks.
The Prime Minister says ultimately, he would like to see all APEC countries part of a free trade deal, but admits the Trans-Pacific Partnership may not be finalised in time for the next APEC meeting.
Mr Key says the trans-Tasman relationship is New Zealand's ultimate relationship, as Australia is a very important partner and collectively the countries are stronger for working together.
