RELATIONS WITH THE EU
The European Union and Aotearoa New Zealand
With a shared history, strong personal and trade connections, and like-minded views on international issues, the EU and New Zealand have a close relationship. We share a deep commitment to democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and upholding the rules-based international order. This can be seen in our work at the UN and WTO, our live negotiations towards a free trade agreement as well as our shared commitment to climate action and sustainable development in the Pacific.
Political Relations
The commonality of our worldviews means that the European Union and New Zealand are natural partners. With long-term and systemic challenges to the global rules-based structures, the need for us to coalesce only grows.
The legal basis for the bilateral relationship is the Partnership for Relations and Cooperation (PARC), which was signed by HR/VP Federica Mogherini and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully on 5 October 2016, in Brussels. The PARC is the umbrella for all bilateral activities and facilitates new ones, too.
Through the PARC, the EU and New Zealand engage in a regular political dialogue, including frequent consultations at ministerial, senior officials' and parliamentary levels. There are also numerous sectoral dialogues, including science, agriculture, fisheries, human rights, development, and consular. These promote greater and smoother trade, cooperation and exchanges of ideas.
Relations between New Zealand and the European Union date back to 1960, when New Zealand established diplomatic relations with the then-European Economic Community (now EU).
Economic and trade relations
New Zealand is an open economy and depends heavily on international trade. The EU is New Zealand's third largest trading partner after China and Australia. As well, the EU is the second largest source of FDI for New Zealand. Within the EU, important bilateral trade partners for New Zealand include Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands.
As a trading partner, the EU offers New Zealand a large, consistent, rules-abiding market that desires high value and sustainable products.
Negotiations on an EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement were launched in 2018.
The Free Trade Agreement is an important next step in the bilateral relationship between the EU and New Zealand, and is expected to boost trade in both goods and services. It also aims to set a new, higher, level of ambition in environmental and labour standards.
More information about the trade negotiation process, including the impact assessment, draft negotiating mandate and factsheets can be found on the European Commission website about the trade negotiations with New Zealand.
Peace, Security and Defence
The European Union and New Zealand are staunch advocates of a strong rules-based international system. Both partners regard this as the best security provider.
Even when disputes turn violent, the EU and New Zealand consistently urge participants to cease and return to negotiations. In their own neighbourhoods, they take leading roles in peace-building efforts. Beyond their regions, they participate in multilateral efforts to restore peace and rebuild communities and nations.
New Zealand has participated in the EU’s anti-piracy mission off the Horn of Africa, EUNAVFOR Atalanta, as well as its EUPOL police mission in Afghanistan.
Modern security threats are increasingly decentralised and trans-national. Terrorism and violent extremism is one example and the EU and New Zealand are sharing information and coordinating efforts to counter this menace.
The EU’s Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific reinforces its strategic focus, presence and actions in this region. The aim is to contribute to regional stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development. The EU will look to work with like-minded partners, including New Zealand, in the Indo-Pacific on these issues of common interest.
Development cooperation in the Pacific
The EU is the largest development donor in the world and its international partnerships cover the Pacific region.
As like-minded partners, the EU and New Zealand cooperate closely in the Pacific region.
The EU has three objectives: to support climate action, promote sustainable economic development and encourage fundamental values and good governance. These actions align with New Zealand’s own development work in the Pacific.
EU and New Zealand participate in the KIWA initiative on nature-based solutions for climate resilience. This climate change adaptation protects, develops and restores biodiversity through nature-based solutions.
The EU and New Zealand both support the Pacific Partnership to End Violence against Women and Girls. It brings together governments, civil society organisations, and communities to promote gender equality, prevent violence against women and girls, and increase access to quality response services.
Via the EU-NZ Energy Partnership, the EU and New Zealand coordinate closely on energy projects. This increases renewable energy across the region. The Partnership covers most of the countries in the Pacific and extends to sustainable rural development, with particular emphasis on climate change related actions.