New Zealand will continue to build its relationship with Brazil, Latin America's most populous country, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.

"Our delegation's visit to Brazil has highlighted a range of areas in which our two countries want to do more together, including agriculture, aviation, trade and investment, education and film collaboration.

"Brazil seriously matters to Latin America, and the world, and New Zealand will accordingly be investing more in our relationship here.

"In these uncertain and challenging times, it's more important than ever that countries like Brazil and New Zealand, as mature, open democracies, work together closely."

"Brazil is an influential player in global affairs, as the world's eleventh largest economy in the world. That's why New Zealand needs to be engaging frankly and at a senior political level with our Brazilian partners."

During his wide-ranging meetings with Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and other Brazilian Ministers, Mr Peters discussed areas with potential for enhanced bilateral cooperation, highlighted our shared interests in the development of the Pacific Islands region, and exchanged views on major international issues including recent developments in Venezuela and Iran.

Mr Peters also reconnected with Ambassador Celso Amorim, Chief Foreign Affairs Adviser to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Ambassador Amorim was Foreign Minister when Mr Peters last visited Brazil in 2007.

Foreign Ministers Peters and Vieira signed an Audio-Visual Co-Production Agreement, which will deepen New Zealand and Brazil's screen industry ties and create fresh opportunities for filmmakers on both sides.

Minister Peters also signed a comprehensive Education Cooperation Arrangement with Brazil's Acting Minister of Education Leonardo Barchini.

"Brazil is our largest source of students from Latin America, and more New Zealand students and researchers have come to Brazil over the last decade than ever before. We want to see these positive trends continue, and this arrangement will further strengthen these ties."

While in Brazil, Mr Peters also delivered a keynote speechon New Zealand's relationship with Latin America as well as attending with the New Zealand Parliamentary and business delegation a Business Showcase focused on New Zealand companies' innovative products and services in the Brazilian market.

In the speech, Mr Peters said: "We see Latin America as an important partner in addressing major global challenges, including building climate resilience, and boosting food and energy security … Put simply, New Zealand cannot expect to be able to progress initiatives in the international arena without Latin American cooperation. Your region matters enormously for us."

The New Zealand Parliamentary and business delegation - which has this week completed programmes in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil - travels tomorrow to Chile (Santiago and Rapa Nui) and then on to French Polynesia.