US Pacific Commander in New Zealand for defence talks

The Commander of the United States Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris, is in New Zealand this week for defense and security talks, the government announced Monday.

Harris was arriving in Wellington Monday and would hold talks with Prime Minister John Key, Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee and Foreign Minister Murray McCully the same day.

"Admiral Harris has a long relationship with this country, having trained on a Royal New Zealand Navy patrol vessel early in his career, and I look forward to our discussion this afternoon," Brownlee said in a statement.

"The defence relationship between New Zealand and the United States is a hugely important one, and it is in excellent shape," he said.

"New Zealand and U.S. military forces regularly take part in joint operations and training activities, and that is set to continue. We work collaboratively in a number of areas, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the Pacific."

Harris was being hosted in New Zealand by the Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Tim Keating.

He would hold talks with Keating and Secretary of Defence Helene Quilter on Tuesday and would depart New Zealand on Thursday.