Scoop Images: John Howard Heads Home

Helen Clark sees John Howard off at the terminal

John Howard, accompanied by his wife Janette, about to board his plane

With a deal signed that will see New Zealanders in Australia unable to receive the dole, and will save New Zealand $150 million annually, Australian Prime Minister John Howard left New Zealand this afternoon.

In talks over the weekend, Mr Howard and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark agreed New Zealand and Australia will try to negotiate separate free trade deals with the United States.

The future of New Zealand’s aging Skyhawk fighter jets, currently stationed with the Australian Air Force in the Northern Territory, was also discussed. Miss Clark has indicated that the expensive and out of date force may be scrapped.

© Scoop Media