European Union

Our relationship with the EU

Our relationship with the EU is significant. The EU is an important partner for New Zealand; we share values, perspectives and interests that make us much closer than the geography would suggest.

We have a close and wide-ranging relationship with the EU and its member states, based on shared histories, strong personal and trade connections and a like-mindedness on international issues.

We share a deep commitment to democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and a sense of international citizenship—our common values see us working together on many global issues including international security, climate change, and development in the Pacific.

The 27 EU Member States are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

The EU-New Zealand relationship is reinforced by the Partnership Agreement on Relations and Cooperation (PARC). The PARC is the vehicle for progressing close cooperation between the EU and New Zealand across a wide range of interests. We have had regular substantive dialogue on bilateral, strategic and global issues with more to come. All dialogues underlined just how like-minded we are.

The text of the PARC is being ratified by EU Member States(external link). The PARC is provisionally in force.

The EU is our most significant science and innovation relationship and more than half of New Zealand’s researchers have an active collaboration with a European partner. There are particularly strong links with Germany, and France. Our science and innovation relationship with the EU is supported by the 2009 Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, and has been instrumental in creating stronger links with Europe.

The EU and its Member States are significant partners to the Pacific, focusing on a range of sectors including resilience, climate change, renewable energy, economic growth, gender and regional integration.

Much of the EU’s assistance is delivered through project-based support to regional organisations, although it is also making use of budget support at the country level.

Trade

Information on New Zealand’s trade relationship with the European Union is available on the New Zealand Trade Dashboard(external link).

New Zealand and European Union citizens are like-minded: we think that trade should build prosperity for all, support efforts on climate change, encourage sustainable development, help companies of all sizes to grow, and improve quality of life by delivering safe, high-quality products to consumers. Free and open trade will be an important part of our economic recovery from COVID-19.

Embassies

• New Zealand is represented in the EU by the New Zealand Embassy to Belgium
• The EU is represented in New Zealand by the Delegation of the European Union

Recent official visits

New Zealand to the EU

• October 2021: Minister for Trade and Export Growth & Minister of Agriculture, Hon Damien O’Connor visited Brussels on 7 October. He met with Executive Vice President, Commissioner Dombrovskis.
• June 2021: Minister for Trade and Export Growth & Minister of Agriculture, Hon Damien O’Connor visited Brussels from 21-24 June. He undertook an intensive programme of calls with the EU’s Trade and Agriculture Commissioners, Members of the European Parliament, union and business representatives, and key figures in the European agri-food sector.

EU to New Zealand

• February 2020: European Parliament, Delegation of Australia and New Zealand, visit to Auckland and Wellington.