8 Mar 2012

Australia's new foreign minister to visit

8:57 pm on 8 March 2012

Australia's new foreign minister Bob Carr arrives in Auckland Friday for a two-day visit.

Mr Carr is taking over from Kevin Rudd, who quit his post to challenge Julia Gillard for leadership of the Labor party, a challenge he subsequently lost.

Mr Carr was the Premier of New South Wales from 1995 to 2005.

New Zealand's foreign minister Murray McCully says he is looking forward to sharing with Mr Carr this country's perspective on developments in the Pacific as well as the challenges and opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region.

Mr Carr will meet with Mr McCully, the prime minister, the defence minister and leader of the opposition.