On 5 November 2017 , Ardern made her first official overseas trip to Australia , where she met Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for the first time . Relations between the two countries had been strained in the preceding months because of Australia 's treatment of New Zealanders living in the country , and shortly before taking office , Ardern had spoken of the need to rectify this situation , and to develop a better working relationship with the Australian government . Turnbull described the meeting in cordial terms : " we trust each other ... The fact we are from different political traditions is irrelevant " . Ardern flew to Vietnam on 9 November for her first visit to an APEC summit
APEC summit
APEC Vietnam 2017
Jacinda Ardern