Wellington, Oct 21 (IANS): New Zealand will focus on enhancing foreign trade and strengthening counter-terrorism intelligence, the National Party government Tuesday asserted as it began a third three-year term in office.

Governor-General Jerry Mateparae read out the centre-right government's legislative intentions in a published speech at the state opening of parliament here, Xinhua reported.

Mateparae reaffirmed the Prime Minister John Key-led government's goal of returning to an operating surplus this fiscal year and the long-term aim of reducing government debt to 20 percent of GDP by 2020.

Job fairs for New Zealand employers would be arranged in the three Australian cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in a bid to entice some of the thousands of skilled expatriate New Zealanders back home to work in areas where there were shortages.

The government has committed to "a strong security and intelligence community which operates within a clear legal framework and with the security of New Zealanders at its heart", he said.

A referendum on changing the country's colonial-era flag would also be held over the next three years.

Prime Minister Key's National Party formed a third-term government after last month's general elections with support from three minor parties.