United Arab Emirates

Our relationship with the United Arab Emirates

Diplomatic ties between New Zealand and the UAE were established in 1985 and since then, both countries have maintained a close and friendly relationship. The UAE is the entry point for many New Zealand businesses and travellers into the Middle East. The UAE hosts one of the largest New Zealand business and expatriate communities in the world, with many New Zealanders working in education, hospitality and construction. 

New Zealand and the UAE share a commitment to expanding renewable energy production. In 2014, New Zealand and the UAE signed a Renewable Energy Partnership Arrangement (renewed in 2019). This partnership has resulted in joint renewable energy projects in  the Pacific (Solomon Islands, Tonga, Fiji) and the Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines). New Zealand is also a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), a UN special agency based in Abu Dhabi that promotes the widespread use of renewable energy.

Defence and security

Our relationship with the UAE is underpinned by frequent high-level defence visits; information sharing; and the presence of our regional Defence Attaché in Abu Dhabi. In 2021, the UAE Government granted permission for New Zealand to use UAE airports as a staging base for evacuating New Zealand and other eligible nationals from Afghanistan.

Trade and investment

The UAE is one of New Zealand’s largest export destinations in the Middle East. New Zealand’s key exports to the UAE include dairy, industrial products, meat, horticulture and travel services. The UAE’s dynamic and high-value market offers significant opportunities for export growth and diversification for New Zealand companies including in such areas as agriculture, sustainable energy, aviation and the maritime sector. The latest information about New Zealand's trade profile with the UAE is available on the New Zealand Trade Dashboard(external link).

New Zealand and the UAE concluded negotiation of a free trade agreement, also known as a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), in 2024. 

A Bilateral Investment Treaty, concluded in conjunction with the CEPA, will promote and protect investment, supporting economic growth and prosperity, while ensuring the right to regulate is protected.

Negotiations on the the New Zealand - Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) FTA were also concluded in 2024. The UAE is a member of the GCC meaning the GCC FTA will complement the CEPA.

The New Zealand Business Council(external link) (NZBC) works to grow and nurture professional relations between the UAE and New Zealand owned and operated businesses in Dubai and the northern Emirates.

The New Zealand Middle East Business Council(external link) (NZMEBC), established in 2010, promotes and facilitates cultural and economic contact, trade and investment between New Zealand and the wider Middle East region.

People and culture

Flight connectivity has been key in building the relationship. Emirates Airlines runs two daily flights between New Zealand and Dubai (one direct to Auckland and one to Christchurch via Australia). There are also two cargo flights per week transporting a range of New Zealand exports to the Middle East, including sheep meat, fish, and honey. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways also operate a number of weekly flights to Auckland via Sydney and Melbourne under a codeshare agreement with Air New Zealand.

New Zealand businesspeople have partnered with the UAE Government to cooperate in a range of areas including environmental management, and educational curricula and management. Two way tourism is also a growing source of people-to-people connection.

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