Pacific Alliance

New Zealand is an observer of the Alliance and is pursuing Associate Membership of the Alliance, including a free trade agreement.

New Zealand has a long-standing relationship with the Pacific Alliance and its member countries. New Zealand was one of the first to become an observer country in 2012, and launched negotiations on a free trade agreement and to become an Associate Member of the Alliance in 2017.

Pacific Alliance is a pathway to Latin America

• New Zealand is committed to deepening our relationships in Latin America.

• Becoming an Associate Member of the Pacific Alliance, including an FTA, would provide an important anchor to these efforts, and open up new opportunities for engagement with influential countries in the region.

• For New Zealand, the Pacific Alliance is about more than trade. New Zealand’s interests span education, tourism, energy, people-to-people, and cultural links. There is also a strong strategic rationale for New Zealand’s engagement in this increasingly influential region.

• New Zealand is a natural partner for the Pacific Alliance as it grow its ties with the Asia-Pacific. Supporting this transition will secure New Zealand a “seat at the table” as the Alliance grows in scope and influence.

Read about the Pacific Alliance free trade agreement

What we want from FTA and Assosicate Member negotiations

• Strengthened ties with the dynamic Latin American region
• A comprehensive, high-quality agreement that delivers on New Zealand's key trade interests.

Read about the Pacific Alliance free trade agreement

Key facts

• The countries in the Pacific Alliance are home to over 220 million people
• As a bloc, it is the world’s eighth-largest economy with a combined Gross Domestic Product of US$2.8 trillion in 2023
• The Pacific Alliance is a top-20 trading partner for New Zealand, with exports of NZ$1 billion and imports of NZ$800 million in 2023

Structure 

The Pacific Alliance was founded in 2011.

It is focused on political and economic integration of its member states, including through freeing up movement of goods, services, capital, and people.

In parallel to its integration programme at home, the Pacific Alliance is focused on strengthening its external ties, especially with the Asia-Pacific.

The Pacific Alliance holds an annual Leaders’ Summit, plus ministerial and senior officials’ meetings throughout the year.

New Zealand was one of the first countries to become an observer state in 2012.

There are now over 60 observer states(external link) from every region in the world.

For more information, visit the website of the Pacific Alliance(external link).