US Vice President Joe Biden will make an official visit to New Zealand next week. A statement released by the White House confirmed Biden's arrival on July 20 with his delegation for a series of official engagements including a meeting with Prime Minister John Key on Thursday, July 21.

The visit is being seen as a sign to strengthen the relationship between the US and New Zealand. A statement issued from PM Key’s office has welcomed the announcement.

“New Zealand places great value on its relationship with the United States and the Vice President’s visit is an opportunity to discuss key regional and international issues,” Mr Key says.

“Vice President Biden’s visit will allow us to discuss ways we can work closer together on issues [such as] economic and trade ties, as well as international peace and security matters.”

The second in command's trip to New Zealand makes him the first US vice president to visit the country since the early 1970s. Biden will visit New Zealand after a round of engagements in Australia where he will deliver a major policy speech in Sydney on the future of the US-Australia relationship, and meet Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, the White House has confirmed.

US President Barack Obama has often expressed his desire to visit New Zealand, but with the vice president making his way down-under, it seems more likely that Obama will come to New Zealand once he has completed the remaining days in office.