Saudi Arabia

Our relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

New Zealand established formal diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia in 1977.Since that time Saudi Arabia has become an important partner in the Middle East region, driven by strong trade and economic exchanges in particular. New Zealand is represented through our Embassy in Riyadh (also accredited to Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman). Saudi Arabia opened a Consulate General in Auckland in 2015. This was followed by an Embassy in Wellington in 2017, reflecting the increasingly close relationship.

New Zealand and Saudi Arabia enjoy fruitful cooperation and people-to-people linkages across a number of areas. New Zealand has contributed to developing Saudi Arabia’s agricultural, sports, tourism expertise and has provided vocational training for workers from a range of industries. The goodwill between the two countries has provided numerous opportunities for New Zealand businesses and citizens to operate in the region’s richest economy, and contribute to the development of Saudi’s economy under Vision 2030. Vision 2030 is Saudi Arabia’s blueprint for diversifying its economy away from reliance on oil and ensuring the economy is innovative, sustainable and attractive to foreign investment.

New Zealand and Saudi Arabia have two formal consultation mechanisms to manage the bilateral relationship. Foreign Ministry Consultations are held between government officials and discuss ways the two countries can strengthen political, cultural, sports, youth and many other areas of cooperation. The Joint Ministerial Commission is held between Ministers and explore ways of strengthening economic cooperation.   

Saudi Arabia is also home to the Secretariat for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Muslim World League. New Zealand concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement with the GCC in October 2024(external link)

Defence and security

Our defence and security relations with Saudi Arabia are maintained through the New Zealand’s regional Defence Attaché based in Abu Dhabi. New Zealand cooperates with Saudi Arabia in international deployments such as the Combined Maritime Forces and Operation Gallant Phoenix.

Trade and investment

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise has a Trade Commissioner and team of Business Development Managers based in the Embassy in Riyadh. In recent years bilateral trade has grown significantly with Saudi Arabia and it is now one of our largest export destination in the Middle East. Our exports consist largely of dairy (roughly three quarters) and meat, although an increasing number of New Zealand companies are working on Saudi Arabia’s ‘giga’ and industrial projects, and in the creative sector. New Zealand imports from Saudi Arabia are composed largely of fertilisers and plastics. With long running reforms aimed at diversifying the economy away from a reliance on oil, Saudi Arabia is becoming a dynamic and high-value market offering significant opportunities for export growth and diversification for New Zealand companies including in such areas as health, agriculture and sustainable energy. The latest information about New Zealand's trade profile with Saudi Arabia is available on the New Zealand Trade Dashboard.(external link)

New Zealand has concluded free trade agreement negotiations with Saudi Arabia through the New Zealand - Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) FTA.

The New Zealand Business Council (external link)(NZBC),(external link) works to grow and nurture professional relations between Saudi Arabia and New Zealand businesses operating in Saudi Arabia.

The New Zealand Middle East Business Council (NZMEBC)(external link), 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

Saudi Arabia has in the past been a notable source market for international students although numbers have decreased recently. Over the last 20 years more than 10,000 Saudi students have studied in New Zealand. These students were often accompanied by spouses and children, who also lived and went to school in New Zealand. These students, their spouses and children are now working throughout the public and private sectors in Saudi Arabia providing close links between New Zealand and Saudi Arabia.

As custodian of the Islam’s two most holy mosques Saudi Arabia also hosts many New Zealand Muslims every year as they perform the umra and hajj pilgrimages.