New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon will enter the world of face-to-face international diplomacy this week after an invitation to the ASEAN summit in Melbourne.
Mr Luxon, who took office in November last year, will meet with several Southeast Asian leaders on Tuesday after taking up Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's offer to attend the ASEAN summit.
Mr Luxon will focus on trade during his two-day trip to Victoria before returning to New Zealand on Wednesday.
"Southeast Asia is incredibly important for New Zealand," he said.
"The ASEAN bloc is our third largest goods export market. Stepping up our focus on the region reflects the impact it has on New Zealand's strategic and economic interests."
