This weekend, the Australian prime minister announced a relaxation of citizenship rules that will allow an estimated 400,000 Kiwis to claim Australian citizenship this year.
It's a major win for New Zealand, which has been campaigning for the change since a 2001 tweak by John Howard's government that shut the door.
On Sunday, the pair will acknowledge that move and broaden talks to include other issues, such as possible NZ involvement in AUKUS arrangements that could see the sharing of military technologies.
As Anzac Day approaches, they will also unveil a plaque at a Brisbane cemetery to recognise previously unmarked graves of soldiers who served during the two world wars.
Then it's off to a citizenship ceremony, community barbecue and joint press conference, concluding Mr Hipkins' whirlwind two-day visit: his second as Kiwi PM in three months.
Mr Hipkins arrived in the Queensland capital on Saturday with a business delegation in tow.
He was guest of honour last night at a dinner attended by Queensland's most powerful politicians including Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.
Dr Chalmers, an architect of the citizenship deal, said there was a "Kiwi caucus in the parliamentary Labour party" pulling for Kiwis to have more rights.
"It is a sign of respect that we consider balance when it comes to the flow of people to be a really important thing," he said.
Dr Chalmers' electorate of Rankin - like many in Queensland - has thousands of New Zealand-born residents that will now be eligible for citizenship under the policy tweak.
The two nations are celebrating a number of anniversaries this year; 40 years of the Closer Economic Relations (CER) free trade deal, 50 years of the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, and 80 years since the establishment of high commissions.
Mr Hipkins said he wanted a renewed focus on eliminating regulatory differences between the two countries.
"One of the features of CER that's incredibly important to us is successfully arranging the alignment of our regulatory systems ... so doing business in New Zealand, doing business in Australia isn't seen as different, it's something that's utterly compatible," he said.
The Australian and New Zealand leaders are scheduled to meet again later this year in New Zealand.
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