Hungary

Bilateral relationship

New Zealand’s relationship with Hungary is friendly and based largely on people-to-people links.  New Zealand has a small community of Hungarians (around 1,400) many of whom arrived as refugees following the 1956 revolution.

Although links with Hungary are not extensive in comparison with the larger EU member states, there is a steady level of interesting bilateral projects between New Zealand and Hungary, spanning a range of areas, including education, science, investment, environment and cultural development.  New Zealand visitors are warmly received in Budapest, and the growing number of business, immigration and tourism enquiries with New Zealand’s Honorary Consul in Budapest reflect further growth potential in the bilateral relationship.

One of the main bilateral issues between New Zealand and Hungary is to complete negotiations on a bilateral Working Holiday Scheme (WHS).

New Zealand has also begun negotiations with Hungary on a social security agreement. 

 

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Key facts

Geography/Demographics

Land Area 93,030 sq km
Population 10.0 million (2009)
Capital City Budapest
Language Magyar (Hungarian)

Political

Political system Parliamentary republic
National government majority centre-right Fidesz party
National legislature National Assembly of 386 seats with four year term; Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister; President elected by parliament for a five year term
Last election April 2010 (parliamentary); June 2010 (presidential)
Next election due April 2014 (parliamentary); June 2015 (presidential)
Head of State President Pal Schmitt (elected 29 June 2010)
Head of Government Prime Minister Viktor Orban (May 2010)

Economic (2010 est)

GDP US$122.5 billion
Real GDP growth 0.3 %
Exports US$90.9 billion
Main exports machinery and equipment, other manufactures, food products,
Imports US$84.7 billion
Inflation 4.4%
Unemployment 11.5% 

New Zealand Trade (year to June 2010)

NZ Exports (FOB) NZ$12.57 million
Main Exports galvanised steel roofing, tarmac, electrical machinery, medical instruments
NZ Imports (CIF) NZ$54.06 million
Main Imports electrical machinery, machinery, wooden casks/barrels, pharmaceuticals

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Visits

New Zealand Official Visits to Hungary

• Hon Margaret Wilson and Speakers Delegation visit, April 2008
• Hon Rick Barker, Minister of Internal Affairs, October 2006
• Rt Hon Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs, July 2006
• Rt Hon Helen Clark, Prime Minister, October 2004
• HE Dame Silvia Cartwright, Governor-General, State Visit, October 2004
• Hon Trevor Mallard, Minister of Education, October 2003
• Hon Jim Sutton, Minister for Trade Negotiations, May 2003
• Dr Lockwood Smith, Minister for International Trade, May 1999
• Hon Doug Kidd, Speaker of the House, April 1998
• Hon John Falloon, Minister of Agriculture, March 1995
• Rt Hon Don McKinnon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, September 1992
• Rt Hon Mike Moore, Minister of Overseas Trade, March 1990
• Rt Hon Mike Moore, Minister of Overseas Trade, November 1988
• Rt Hon Mike Moore, Minister of Overseas Trade, June 1986

Hungarian Visits to New Zealand

• HE Lazlo Solyom, President, September 2009
• Dr Peter Medgyessy, Deputy State Secretary of Education, December 2004
• Dr Tibor Szanyi, State Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, June 2004
• Dr Andras Barsony, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, February 2003
• Dr Katalan Szili, Speaker of the National Assembly, November 2002
• HE Mr Arpad Göncz, President, February 1999
• Mr Torgyan, Agriculture Minister, February 1999
• Karoly Kontrat, Associate Minister (Home Affairs), February 1999
• Janos Fonagy, Economic Affairs, February 1999
• Dr Elemer Gergatz, Minister of Agriculture, April 1992
• Prof Jeszensky, Foreign Minister, November 1990

 

Representation

• The New Zealand Ambassador to Germany is accredited to Hungary.
• The Hungarian Ambassador to Australia is accredited to New Zealand.  There is a Consulate General in Wellington, and a Consulate in Auckland.

Travel advice

The Safe Travel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Hungary [external link].

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