The first air service between the Philippines and New Zealand was welcomed by New Zealand Transport Minister Simon Bridges on Wednesday.

From December 1, Philippine Airlines would start operating a service between Manila and Auckland, via Cairns, in Australia, four times a week, providing a valuable service for tourists and trade in both directions, Bridges said in a statement.

The new service resulted from an enhanced bilateral air services arrangement signed last year.

"The Philippines is an important friend and trading partner for New Zealand. Over 40,000 Filipinos live here and they are making a strong contribution to our economy. The service will make it easier for them to stay in contact with friends and family back home," said Bridges.

"This year is the 40th anniversary of New Zealand's diplomatic relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), so it is especially appropriate that we welcome a service linking Auckland with another southeast Asian capital."

Last year, around 12,000 Filipinos visited New Zealand and more than 20,000 New Zealand residents traveled to the Philippines.

Auckland Airport general manager aeronautical commercial Norris Carter said in a statement that the A320 service would bring 64, 500 seats a year between Manila and Auckland and would add about 41 million NZ dollars (30.13 million U.S. dollars) a year to the New Zealand economy.