Prime Minister John Key has praised former Australian Prime Minister John Howard as a great leader.
Mr Key is on a two day visit to Australia, during which he is touting New Zealand as an investment destination.
On Thursday night he delivered the annual John Howard lecture at the Menzies Research Centre in Sydney, during which he said he had learned a lot from the former prime minister.
He said he admired Mr Howard's economic programme his steady leadership through difficult times and his tenacity.
Mr Key is not meeting Prime Minister Julia Gillard or other members of her government on the trip.
