Anthony Albanese, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern meet for private dinner

The Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers have greeted each other with a friendly embrace ahead of a private dinner.

New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern touched down in Australia on Thursday evening and met with Anthony Albanese for a catch-up over dinner.

The pair were snapped with their arms around each other and beaming smiles on their faces.

Mr Albanese took to Twitter to welcome his “good friend” to Australia — her first visit since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“So pleased to welcome my good friend New Zealand PM @jacindaardern to Australia,” he wrote.

“I’m looking forward to catching up over dinner.

In another post, Mr Albanese Tweeted a selfie with the NZ leader declaring the duo indulged in a “lovely dinner”.

“Lovely dinner with @jacindaardern this evening,” he wrote.

“I’m looking forward to our bilateral meetings tomorrow where we will discuss all that our countries have in common.”

Both leaders will sit down on Friday for bilateral talks.

Ms Ardern is the first foreign head of government to meet with Mr Albanese in Australia.

She was previously in the United States to meet with President Joe Biden, where they discussed China’s presence in the Pacific.