Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has met with her New Zealand counterpart in Auckland where they discussed a joint commitment to the international rules-based order.

Ms Bishop says she and Winston Peters canvassed issues including the single economic market agenda, the re-branded Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, counter-terrorism and people smuggling.

She says they discussed a number of ways where the two countries can more deeply engage together and with their Pacific friends and neighbours to ensure resilience, stability and greater prosperity in this part of the world.

Winston Peters confirmed he arranged for his Australian counterpart to meet the Prime Minister at his Auckland home.

The three had dinner at Mr Peters' Saint Marys Bay property last night, before the Foreign Ministers headed to Waiheke Island for formal talks.

The icebreaker comes after Ms Bishop claimed last year it would be very difficult to build trust with a New Zealand Labour government.

In an about-face, Ms Bishop says she finds the New Zealand government absolutely trustworthy.

"Australia always wants to have New Zealand at our side.

"We don't always agree, families don't always agree, but we are able to work through any disagreements in a very positive way."

But Mr Peters says he didn't go so far as to cook dinner for the visitor.

"I think Ms Bishop deserves better than that."

Ms Bishop says it shows how close the relationship is, as the Deputy Prime Minister invited the Australian delegation to his home.