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New Zealand's relations with Austria, although not extensive, are good. New Zealand had an Embassy in Vienna from 1973 until 1991, when it was closed due to a reorganisation of New Zealand's limited resources in Europe. New Zealand is now represented in Austria by the accreditation to Vienna of the Ambassador in Germany, and following the closure of the Embassy in Vienna an Honorary Consul-General was appointed in Vienna. Austria's Ambassador to New Zealand is resident in Canberra, although Austria also has two consulates in New Zealand, in Auckland and in Wellington, staffed by Honorary Consuls. New Zealand does have a Permanent Mission to the United Nations based in Vienna, but this does not deal with the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Although the Austrian community in New Zealand has been small, it has left its mark in exploration (through place names given in the last century, eg Franz Josef Glacier) and in the early development of skiing.
New Zealand's trade with Austria is small, and heavily in Austria's favour. New Zealand is seen as a favourable market in Austria, and Austrian exporters have shown an increasing degree of interest in the New Zealand market as they attempt to diversify globally.
Land Area - 83,859 sq km
Population
- 8.2 million
Capital City -
Vienna
Language - German
Political system - Federal republic of nine independent states
National
government - Grand Coalition of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ - senior partner) and the Austrian Peoples' Party (ÖVP - junior partner)
National legislature - National Assembly (bicameral)
Last election
- September 2008
Next election
due - Federal: September 2013
Presidential: April 2010
Head of State - President Dr Heinz Fischer (since 8 July 2004)
Head of Government - Chancellor Werner Faymann (SPÖ) (since 2 December 2008)
GDP US$382.7 billion
Real
GDP growth - 3.6%
Exports US$138.8 billion
Imports US$143.5 billion
Main exports Machinery, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products, foodstuffs
Current account balance US$3 billion
Inflation 0.4%
Unemployment
5.0%
NZ Exports (FOB)NZ$28.733 million
Main Exports Meat, electrical machinery, pharmaceuticals
NZ Imports (CIF)
NZ$161.129 million
Main Imports
Machinery, vehicles, electrical machinery, beverages, pharmaceuticals
The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Austria [external link].