Australia and New Zealand must remember the sovereignty and independence of Pacific nations when they choose to engage with other countries, NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says.
Ms Ardern is visiting Australia ahead of next week's Pacific Islands forum, where China's growing influence and interest in the region is expected to be discussed.
She said while many nations have an interest in the Indo-Pacific, the relationship priorities should ultimately be set by the countries that call the region home.
Rather than Australia and New Zealand increasing strategic competition in the Pacific, Ms Ardern called on the two nations to look for ways to build and co-operate with others.
"Priorities should be set by the Pacific. They should be free from coercion. Investment should be of high quality," Ms Ardern told the Lowy Institute on Thursday.
"Engagement needs to be consistent, (it) shouldn't be simply because others are engaging in our region, it should be because there's a desire to build long-standing and committed relationships."
She said while the security deal struck between the Solomon Islands and China was concerning, the nation had a sovereign right to make its own decisions.
"We have long-standing and deep relationships, China has quite long-standing relationships in the Pacific too," Ms Ardern said.
"It would be wrong to position the Pacific in such a way that they have to 'pick sides'.
"While we each maintain our independence ... we are part of a family, one that is incredibly important to us and central in our decision-making."
Ms Ardern's comments came after Australia's foreign minister Penny Wong said she was open to discussions with her Chinese counterparts during the upcoming G20 talks.
Senator Wong is in Bali for the G20 foreign ministers' meeting.
Recent years have seen a diplomatic freeze between Australia and China, but Senator Wong said she and other cabinet ministers would welcome talks.
"Australian ministers remain open to engage, and that extends to the G20," she told reporters in Singapore on Wednesday.
Senator Wong said the new federal government would remain calm and considered in terms of its relationship with China.
