Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully will push New Zealand's case for United Nations Security Council membership at meetings while attending a summit in Africa.
The 20th African Union Executive Council is being held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Wednesday and Thursday.
Mr McCully says the summit provides an opportunity "convey our excellent credentials for United Nations Security Council membership in 2015-16".
On his way to the summit Mr McCully will visit Kuwait and Qatar.
In the year to June 2011, New Zealand trade with Qatar was worth $839 million and trade with Kuwait was worth $590 million.
New Zealand has friendly relations with the countries, who were both major energy suppliers with high growth and strong economies, Mr McCully said.
"But they are situated in the middle of a region beset with tension and unrest. I am looking forward to discussing these issues with senior ministers in the two countries."
NZN