Wellington  - New Zealand Prime Minister John Key will visit Australia from August 18-23, he told his weekly post-Cabinet press conference in Wellington Monday.

The official visit would include talks with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, a speech to the Australia-New Zealand Leadership Forum and visits to Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney.

Key said he would lead seven of his ministers in a joint cabinet meeting with their Australian counterparts.

"The joint cabinet meeting is a great opportunity for a wider exchange of ideas between our governments. The fact this meeting is taking place reflects the close partnership we have, and the degree of economic and social integration between us," Key said.

The New Zealand contingent includes Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bill English, Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee, and Commerce Minister Simon Power.

The meeting will be held in Sydney during the Australia-New Zealand Leadership forum. (dpa)