Albanese and Luxon urge Israel to reconsider Gaza City takeover during ‘warm, generous’ meeting

Australian and New Zealand leaders reject possible US trade retaliation over recognising Palestinian statehood and reaffirm plans to deepen security ties

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Australia's prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, have urged Israel to reconsider its plans to take over Gaza City and reaffirmed their intentions to deepen security ties, as they met in Queenstown on Saturday.

Following a pwhiri (formal Mori welcome) at Te Wharehuanui - a private retreat built by the billionaire Xero founder, Rod Drury - Luxon said the world had become uncertain and fractious, and that New Zealand has no greater friend than Australia".