Indian prime minister Narendra Modi arrives in New Zealand

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi arrives in New Zealand

Narendra Modi has landed in Auckland on a whistlestop tour in the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon welcomed the controversial world leader with a hug and guard of honour at Auckland Airport - a symbolic gesture of the importance the government attaches to the trip.

The visit comes hot on the heels of a trade deal with India that will eliminate or reduce tariffs on 95 percent of exports once implemented.

Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Luxon on Saturday before addressing more than 10,000 people at a community event in the evening to cap off celebrations.