“The message which I want to convey is one of commitment to Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries. New Zealand, as many of you already know, has made a long-term commitment to support the peace and security of the region,” he told a press conference at the New Zealand Embassy on Monday night, with Ambassador Rodney Harris and Second Secretary James Munro in attendance.

He added that the New Zealand Embassy in Riyadh “is our oldest and largest presence in the Middle East, to be supported by the opening of the New Zealand Embassy in Dubai.

“Despite the current economic climate, this increase in regional presence is an unequivocal statement of the importance we attach to the GCC countries,” he said, adding that his country is negotiating a free trade agreement with the GCC.

From Saudi Arabia, he'll attend Kuwait's liberation commemoration.

He said that aside from attending the International Energy Forum, which kicks off in Riyadh on Tuesday, he's also here to launch the New Zealand-Saudi Business Network, adding that bilateral trade between the Kingdom and New Zealand touches $800 million New Zealand dollars.

“Education is the cornerstone of our relationship. There are least 7,000 Saudi students in New Zealand,” he said.