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Embassies and consular services for Colombia
| Location | Service areas |
|---|---|
| Embassy of the Republic of Colombia | |
| New Zealand Embassy to Colombia | Ecuador |
Our relationship with Colombia
New Zealand and Colombia share a warm relationship. New Zealand opened its Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia in February 2018, having previously been accredited from our Embassy in Santiago, Chile since 1979.
New Zealand and Colombia cooperate closely in multilateral fora, including the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
The then New Zealand Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, presided over the United Nations Security Council’s unanimous adoption of Resolution 2307 in September 2016 welcoming Colombia’s Peace Agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People’s Army (FARC-EP) and approving the mandate of the UN political mission to assist the parties in laying down their arms and ending over a half century of conflict.
New Zealand supports Colombia’s post-conflict development and peace implementation and has contributed more than NZD$4.6 million to humanitarian demining efforts (including the use of New Zealand-developed technology).
Trade and economic
Since 2012, New Zealand has been an active Observer of the Pacific Alliance, a regional integration initiative comprised of Colombia, Chile, México, and Perú. New Zealand began negotiations for a high-quality and comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) with the Pacific Alliance in June 2017. The Agreement would see New Zealand become an Associated State of the Pacific Alliance.
There is growing opportunity for New Zealand companies in Colombia, particularly in sectors such as agricultural technology (agritech), manufacturing, and digital technologies. Over fifty New Zealand companies are actively working with Colombian counterparts in these sectors. New Zealand agribusiness technologies, particularly in the dairy sector, have the potential to support the Colombian sector to lift its productivity and profitability.
New Zealand exporters interested in opportunities in Colombia should consult the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) Colombia Market Guide(external link).
The latest information about New Zealand's trade profile with the Colombia is available on the New Zealand Trade Dashboard(external link).
People and culture
People-to-people links between New Zealand and Colombia are strong and growing.
The number of Colombian students choosing to study in New Zealand is recovering steadily following the COVID-19 pandemic. Colombian students choose New Zealand for secondary and tertiary level study and English language courses. Colombians are eligible to apply for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships(external link) for postgraduate study (Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s Degree, and PhD) at New Zealand universities. Colombians are also eligible to apply for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme’s thematic Short Term Training Scholarships.
Colombia is a preferred destination for New Zealanders applying for Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Latin America (PMSLA)(external link). PMSLA Scholars build New Zealand’s connections with Colombia and strengthen people-to-people links.
Education New Zealand (ENZ)(external link) actively supports the New Zealand education sector in Colombia and has a Director of Engagement for Latin America based in Santiago. ENZ marketing efforts span working with government and institutions, organising education fairs and seminars, undertaking outreach activities, providing advice, and exploring education business opportunities.