The leaders of New Zealand and Finland have dismissed a journalist's suggestion that they arranged a meeting because they are "similar in age".

At a press conference in Auckland, Finland's Sanna Marin and New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern said they met because they are prime ministers, not because they are both young, female leaders.

Ms Ardern questioned if male leaders would have faced the same question.

"Because two women meet is not simply because of their gender," she said.

A male journalist from New Zealand radio network Newstalk ZB asked about the reason for the talks, saying: "A lot of people will be wondering are you two meeting just because you're similar in age and got a lot of common stuff there."

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