While the Australian and New Zealand foreign ministers presented a unified front on the Pacific, the thorny issue of deportations has reared its head again at a meeting in Auckland.
Speaking after their first twice-yearly catch-up, Australia's Marise Payne and Kiwi counterpart Winston Peters were keen to emphasise the importance of coordinating efforts in the region.
Australia and New Zealand have in the past year both turned significant attention towards the Pacific, in response to concerns about China's growing influence in the region, increasing spending and developing new strategic approaches.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne and her New Zealand counterpart, Winston Peters, on Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand. Source: AAP
"Our partnership is nowhere more important than here in the Pacific," Senator Payne said.
"By working together, which is something we talked about today, we can maximise our efforts."
But while both ministers described a sense of trans-Tasman "family", Mr Peters - taking questions from media after Senator Payne left - said he had raised his dissatisfaction about the deportation of New Zealanders.
"That sort of thing is not helpful to our relationship at a time when our sound relationship is a critical objective ... On some things we don't agree and this is one of them," Mr Peters said.
New Zealand politicians and diplomats have been increasingly vocal about rising numbers of Kiwi passport holders being deported from Australia.
In particular, they are concerned with those with no significant connections to New Zealand since tighter rules were introduce in 2014.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has rejected the complaints.
Mr Peters said he expected his Australian counterpart would deliver the message to Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Senator Payne and Mr Peters spoke several times last year and their meeting this week sets the stage for a visit by Mr Morrison to New Zealand later this month.
