The head of the Defence Force hopes a historic visit from the head of the Fijian defence force will be a sign of a closer defence relationship.

Commander Republic of Fiji Military Forces Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto is in the country until tomorrow.

New Zealand and Fiji resumed relations and defence cooperation in 2014, and this is the first visit by the Commander of the Fijian Military for many years.

Rear Admiral Naupoto laid a wreath at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington and visited Whenuapai Air Force Base and Devonport Naval Base in Auckland.

Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Tim Keating hopes the visit will build on the good momentum in the defence relationship.

Earlier this year, New Zealand deployed vessels, aircraft and more than 500 personnel in Fiji to assist the country after Tropical Cyclone Winston.