Transtasman summit tipped

Queenstown is expected to host a transtasman leaders’ summit next week.

It is understood Prime Minister Bill English will meet his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull in the resort next Thursday and Friday.

Mr English’s press secretary, Julie Ash, would not comment on the summit when contacted yesterday.

Official confirmation is expected on Monday.

Media interest in the summit will be high given the leaders’ contrasting telephone conversations with new United States President Donald Trump.

For Mr English, it will be his first official visit to the resort since taking over from former prime minister John Key in December.

Mr English was formerly the Clutha-Southland member of Parliament before switching to the party list in 2014.

It is tradition for the Australian and New Zealand leaders to hold formal talks each year — Queenstown has hosted them three times.

In 1993, New Zealand PM Jim Bolger hosted Australian PM Paul Keating, in 2000, Jenny Shipley met John Howard, and in 2013, John Key received Julia Gillard.

Ms Gillard and Mr Key laid wreaths at the Queenstown Memorial Gates and they and their spouses shopped in Arrowtown.

-By Philip Chandler