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Embassies and consular services for Philippines
| Location | Service areas |
|---|---|
| Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines | |
| New Zealand Embassy | Philippines |
Our relationship with the Philippines
The Philippines is a close friend of New Zealand with diplomatic relations beginning in 1966. Our relationship is broad, encompassing trade and economic interests and defence cooperation.
New Zealand has committed to stepping up its relationship with the Philippines, as part of the Government’s increased focus on South and Southeast Asia.
The Philippines is a founding member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which New Zealand is a long-standing Dialogue Partner.
Our leaders, ministers and officials meet regularly in multilateral and regional fora. These include the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
Defence and security
The Philippines is a longstanding defence partner of New Zealand in Southeast Asia, with close cooperation across a wide range of areas – both bilateral and under multilateral forums such as ASEAN Defence Ministers Meetings-Plus (ADMM-Plus).
New Zealand and the Philippines signed an updated defence cooperation arrangement in November 2017, which provides for enhanced defence cooperation in the areas of logistics and defence industry. New Zealand’s newest and largest navy vessel, HMNZS Aotearoa, made a port call to Manila in October 2023.
In June 2024, New Zealand and the Philippines signed a Mutual Logistics Supporting Arrangement (MLSA) which strengthens cooperation between our respective defence personnel and lays the groundwork for greater collaboration with the Philippines in the future. New Zealand is currently working with the Philippines to conclude a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the Philippines by the end of 2024.
Trade
The Philippines is an important trading partner to New Zealand with an economy that is expected to double in size between 2023 and 2033, and to further become a top 20 global economy by 2050. Our trading relationship has been steadily recovering following impacts of COVID-19.
The latest information about New Zealand's trade profile with the Philippines is available on the New Zealand Trade Dashboard(external link).
There are many opportunities for growth in our trade and economic relationship, including in pre-existing sectors such as dairy and tourism, and new sectors such as technology, renewable energy, and government services.
The Philippines and New Zealand are also both parties to the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area Agreement (AANZFTA); the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which entered into force on 1 January 2022 (which entered into force in the Philippines on 2 June 2023); and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). 90 percent of New Zealand’s trade to the Philippines is duty-free under AANZFTA.
People and culture
Filipinos in New Zealand form a vibrant and fast-growing community with over 100,000 Filipinos living in New Zealand. The population has grown rapidly since the 1990’s, driven by skilled migration and family ties.
Cultural exchanges and tourism further enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of both nations.
Young Filipino citizens have the opportunity to work and study in New Zealand. Information on the Working Holiday Scheme can be found on the Immigration New Zealand website(external link).
The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships Programme provides tertiary and short-term training scholarships to Filipino scholars.
Development cooperation and sustainability
The development partnership between New Zealand and the Philippines dates back to the 1970s, when New Zealand played a leading role in the pioneering stage of geothermal development in the Philippines.
The New Zealand Development Programme in the Philippines is guided by our relationship with ASEAN. Our International Development Cooperation (IDC) programme in ASEAN is focused on the following priority areas:
- Climate and economic resilience: renewable energy, climate smart agriculture, environmental management and disaster resilience;
- Knowledge and skills: scholarships, professional development and civil society leadership training;
- Peace and security: good governance and leadership; counter terrorism; and, mine action.
The latest information on our IDC activities, including activity details and descriptions, start and end dates, geographic and sectoral focus, expenditure figures, is available at DevData(external link).