NEW Zealand Prime Minister John Key has praised Britain for the friendship and support it showed his country after a deadly earthquake.
Mr Key met Prime Minister David Cameron in Downing Street on Wednesday, with the rebuilding of Christchurch after 2011's natural disaster on the agenda.
A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck the city on February 22 leaving more than 180 people dead. UK efforts have included sending search and rescue experts and raising cash to help.
Syria and the economy were also up for discussion between the pair at Number 10.
Mr Key told Mr Cameron: "We absolutely appreciate the friendship and support that you give us to the Christchurch earthquake, our soldiers have fought together in battles in many places, most recently in Afghanistan, and like you we share the great concern about what we see taking place in Syria."
Mr Cameron had said to the Kiwi premier: "I have never taken this relationship for granted. There are all the ties of history, language and people but actually it's a relationship we should do even more to build-on because in the modern interconnected world we live in it's these sorts of relationships that can be of real benefit to both of us.
"I'm very interested to hear about the rebuilding of Christchurch, to hear about the success of your government, to talk about the Syrian crisis, what's happening in the Middle East, talk about what more we can do on the economic and other agendas - loads of things to talk about but really great to have you here."
After the earthquake in 2011 Mr Cameron raised eyebrows when he initially expressed the UK's condolences via a text message to Mr Key, whom he has known well for some time.
He went on to pen a formal letter.
