WELLINGTON - New Zealand and Chinese customs authorities are a step closer to setting up a system to enhance trade assurance and facilitation, New Zealand Customs Minister Nicky Wagner said on Monday.

Wagner issued a statement after holding talks in Auckland with visiting Chinese Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs Sun Yibiao and trade officials from both countries.

The assurance system, which was agreed under the New Zealand- China Free Trade Agreement signed in 2008, would involve electronic verification, she said.

"Trade with China is critical to our economy, and it's important that traders' documents meet our trade partners' standards to ensure exports travel smoothly," Wagner said.

"Both customs administrations have committed to a joint electronic verification system that will provide greater assurance over documents used to gain tariff preference for our traders in China."

Wagners said both agencies were also working closely together -- through the New Zealand Customs liaison officer based in Beijing -- to combat the illegal trade of methamphetamine and its precursors.

"New Zealand and China will continue to participate in multilateral strategies and initiatives, particularly to combat drug trafficking," Wagner said.

In 2013, New Zealand meat was left sitting on Chinese wharves after the Ministry for Primary Industries failed to properly inform Chinese customs officials about changes in export certification.