The New Zealand and United Kingdom foreign ministers will discuss areas of cooperation in major global issues, such as Iran and the Middle East when UK Foreign Secretary William Hague visits New Zealand next week.

Hague, on his second visit to New Zealand in two years, is scheduled to hold formal bilateral talks with Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully in Auckland on Jan. 15.

"This is an excellent opportunity to address critical foreign policy issues with a close and valued partner, and explore new ways to work together on bilateral and global issues," McCully said in a statement Friday.

"I expect the situation in Iran and Syria, the Middle East Peace Process and developments in Afghanistan will feature in our discussions, as will regional issues such as Fiji and Myanmar."

In Auckland, Hague would also meet New Zealand business leaders and entrepreneurs, young Pacific leaders, academics, and non- governmental organizations.

Hague would also tour of the area of Christchurch known as the Red Zone, which suffered severe damage in the February 2011 earthquake that killed 185 people, and lay a wreath at naval base in the city in honor of New Zealand service men and women.