The Federal Republic of Germany

Bilateral relationship

New Zealand and Germany enjoy open and warm links, and this year New Zealand will be featured as the Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October 2012. There is mutually beneficial co-operation in trade, commerce, cultural exchange, and science and technology. As the largest economy within the European Union, Germany has influence over decisions affecting New Zealand's economic and trade interests, and has proved generally supportive of New Zealand in these matters.

As a country with competitive skills in technological development and research, Germany is an important source for New Zealand capital imports. It is a stable market for New Zealand exports, particularly our primary products. The proportion of exports of manufactured goods has increased in recent years from a small base. Germany is also a significant potential source of investment.  

 

Key facts

Geography/Demographics

Land Area: 357,021 sq km
Population: 81.7 m (2011)
Capital City: Berlin
Language: German

Political

Political system: Parliamentary democracy. 16 Länder (states), each with own constitution, legislature and government.
National government: Centre-right coalition of CDU/CSU (Conservatives) and FDP (Free Democrats).
National legislature: Bicameral Federal Assembly. Bundestag (lower house) of 620 members, elected from individual constituencies and through party lists (MMP proportional representation system). Bundesrat (upper house) of 69 members, nominated by state governments.
Last election: Sept 2009 (Bundestag); March 2012 (Presidential)
Next election due: September 2014 (Bundestag); March 2017 (Presidential)
Head of State: President Joachim Gauck (since March 2012)
Head of Government: Dr Angela Merkel (CDU) (since November 2005)

Economic (2011.)

GDP: US$3,578 billion (€2,571 b)
Real GDP growth: 3.1%
Exports (fob): US$1,380 billion
Imports (fob): US$1,174 billion
Main exports: motor vehicles, machinery, chemical products
Current account balance: US$215 billion (surplus)
Inflation: 5.6%
Unemployment: 5.9%

New Zealand Trade (2011)

NZ Exports (FOB): NZ$775 million
Main Exports:Sheepmeat /meat & offal, casein, wool products, whey
NZ Imports (CIF): NZ$1,994 billion
Main Imports: Motor vehicles, retail medicines, tractors, electrical transformers, trucks and vans.

NB: New Zealand’s official trade statistics for exports to Germany do not include NZ$200 million in kiwifruit and apples that are transhipped to Germany from elsewhere in the EU.top of page

 

Visits

New Zealand Official Visits to Germany

• Hon Tim Groser, Minister of Trade, January 2013
• Deputy Prime Minister Hon Bill English, October 2012
• Minister of Culture and Heritage, Hon Christopher Finlayson, October 2012
• Prime Minister John Key, June 2012
• Sir Peter Gluckman, Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister, October 2011
• Hon Tim Groser, Minister of Trade and Minister responsible for International Climate Change Negotiations, July 2011
• Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs, April 2011
• Hon Simon Power, Minister of Justice, June 2010
• Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs, December 2009
• Hon Tim Groser, Minister of Trade, February 2009

German Official Visits to New Zealand

• Delegation of the German Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with Australia and New Zealand, led by Jürgen Herrmann, February 2012
• Dr Guido Westerwelle, Minister of Foreign Affairs, June 2011
• Dr Gerd Mueller, Parliamentary Secretary of State for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, November 2010
• Delegation of the Bundestag's Budget Committee , May 2009
• Delegation of the Bundestag's Select Committee for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, October 2008
• Delegation of the Bundestag's Legal Affairs Select Committee, October 2008

 

Representation

• New Zealand Embassy Berlin [external link].
• Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Wellington. There are Honorary Consuls in Auckland and Christchurch.

 

Travel advice

The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Germany [external link].

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