The Federal Republic of Germany

Bilateral relationship

New Zealand and Germany enjoy open and warm links. 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.top of page

Key facts

Geography/Demographics

Land Area - 357,021 sq km
Population - 82.4 m (2007)
Capital City - Berlin
Language  - German

Political

Political system - Parliamentary democracy. 16 Länder (states), each with own constitution, legislature and government.
National government - CDU/CSU/FDP centre-right coalition.
National legislature - Bicameral Federal Assembly. Bundestag (lower house) of 622 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); June 2010 (Presidential)
Next election due - September 2014 (Bundestag); June 2015 (Presidential)
Head of State - President Christian Wullf (since June 2010)
Head of Government - Dr Angela Merkel (CDU) (since November 2005)

Economic (2010 est.)

GDP US$3,098 billion

Real GDP growth 2.8%

Exports (fob) US$1,213 billion

Imports (fob) US$1,001 billion

Main exports motor vehicles, machinery, chemical products

Current account balance US$162 billion (surplus)

Inflation 1.1%

Unemployment 7.1%

New Zealand Trade (year ended June 2010)

NZ Exports (FOB) - NZ$668 million
Main Exports - Sheepmeat, albumins, medical instruments, dairy products, machinery
NZ Imports (CIF) - NZ$1,621 billion
Main Imports - Machinery, motor vehicles and parts, electrical machinery, medical instruments, pharmaceuticals, plastics top of page

Visits

New Zealand Official Visits to Germany

• 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
• Hon Margaret Wilson, Speaker of the House of Representatives, leading a Parliamentary Delegation, September 2007
• Hon Chris Carter, Minister for Conservation, June 2007
• Hon Harry Duynhoven, Minister for Transport Safety, June 2007
• Rt Hon Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs, May 2007
• Hon David Cunliffe, Minister of Information Technology, March 2007
• Hon Steve Maharey, Minister of Research, Science and Technology, and Minister of Education, February 2007
• Hon Phil Goff, Minister of Trade, Defence, Disarmament and Arms Control, January 2007
• Rt Hon Helen Clark, Prime Minister, November 2006
• Hon Phil Goff, Minister of Trade, Defence, Disarmament and Arms Control, March 2006
• Rt Hon Helen Clark, Prime Minister, April 2005
• HE Dame Silvia Cartwright, Governor General, State Visit, June 2004
• Hon Phil Goff, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, April 2004
• Hon Chris Carter, Minister of Conservation, Local Government, Ethnic Affairs, June 2003
• Hon Jim Sutton, Minister for Trade Negotiations and Agriculture, May 2003
• Hon George Hawkins, Minister of Internal Affairs (Hamburg only), January 2003
• Hon Jim Sutton, Minister for Trade Negotiations and Agriculture, May 2001
• Rt Hon Helen Clark, Prime Minister, June 2000
• Hon Phil Goff, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, May 2000
• Rt Hon Jenny Shipley, Prime Minister, January 1999
• Rt Hon Don McKinnon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, May 1999

German Official Visits to New Zealand

• 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
• Gert Lindemann, State Secretary for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, February 2008
• Delegation of the German Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with Australia and New Zealand, led by Ms Nina Hauer MP, August 2007
• Mr Christian Wulff, Premier of Lower Saxony, May 2007
• Mr Reinhard Stuth, Hamburg State Secretary and Commissioner for Federal, European and Foreign Affairs, February 2007
• Dr Gerald Thalheim, Parliamentary State Secretary for Consumer Affairs, Food and Agriculture, April 2005
• Mr Joschka Fischer, Minister of Foreign Affairs, February 2005
• Mr Wolfgang Thierse, Speaker of the Bundestag, December 2003
• HE Dr Johannes Rau, Federal President, May 2001
• Mr Karl-Heinz Funke, Agriculture Minister, October 2000
• Dr Martin Wille, State Secretary for Agriculture, April 2000
• Dr Helmut Kohl, Chancellor, May 1997
• Dr Günter Rexrodt, Federal Minister for the Economy, February 1997
• Mr Werner Hoyer, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, August 1996
• Mr Jochen Borchert, Agriculture Minister, early 1996
• HE Dr Richard von Weizäcker, President State Visit, 1993
• Mr Klaus Kinkel, Foreign Minister, April 1993

Representation

• New Zealand Embassy Berlin
• Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Wellington

Travel advice

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

 

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