Chile

Our relationship with Chile

New Zealand’s longest standing friendship in Latin America is with Chile. Diplomatic relations were established in 1948 and embassies opened in respective capitals in 1972.

Our relationship with Chile covers high-level political contact, trade and economic links, education cooperation and exchanges, defence, people to people links and engagement in multilateral fora. Our two countries share interests in democracy and human rights, the international rules-based system, climate change, the environment, and Antarctica. Strong business and commercial interests exist in agriculture, energy, and education. We also have a reciprocal working holiday programme for young people.

Trade and economic

Chile is one of New Zealand’s strongest trade and economic connections in Latin America. Our trade relationship encompasses significant exchanges in primary goods, technology, and educational services. New Zealand exports a variety of agricultural products to Chile (mainly dairy products and machinery), while also importing Chilean products such as wood, fresh fruit, and seafood. The latest information about New Zealand's trade profile with Chile is available on the New Zealand Trade Dashboard(external link).

New Zealand and Chile work to uphold the World Trade Organization (WTO), cooperate in economic fora such as APEC and the OECD, and have a strong commitment to free trade architecture. Our free trade relationship led to the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (P4), and both countries are now part of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). We are two of the original three signatories of the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA). Both New Zealand and Chile are members of the Cairns Group, working toward freeing up agricultural trade. New Zealand is also an active observer of the Pacific Alliance, a grouping that promotes regional integration between Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, and hopes to become an Associate Member of the group (through the completion of a Free Trade Agreement).

Chile and New Zealand are also committed to ensuring trade (and its benefits) are inclusive, and to this end were founding members of the Inclusive Trade Action Group and the Global Trade and Gender Arrangement.

People and culture

Our close friendship with Chile is underpinned by strong people-to-people links. There is a direct air link between Auckland and Santiago. New Zealand and Chile share a rich indigenous and cultural heritage. Rapa Nui is closely linked to New Zealand historically, ethnically, linguistically, and culturally through Polynesian whanaungatanga. New Zealand is at the western tip of the Polynesian triangle, with Rapa Nui at its eastern tip.

New Zealand and Chile have a reciprocal visa waiver agreement, allowing citizens to visit each other's countries for short-term stays without requiring a visa (three months maximum for tourism purposes). The New Zealand Working Holiday Visa(external link) allows young Chilean citizens to spend up to twelve months in New Zealand for travel experience with the opportunity to work. This scheme promotes cultural exchange and strengthens the ties between our nations. Chile offers a reciprocal Working Holiday Scheme for young New Zealanders, allowing them to explore and work in Chile, fostering mutual understanding and cultural appreciation.

Our two countries maintain a range of links in research and science fostered through connection to the Pacific Ocean, similar geography, and challenges in common such as climate change. We have a long history of education links, with formal arrangements between several universities, and regular student exchange flows.

Multilateral Issues

New Zealand and Chile were founding members of the United Nations. We actively participate in several international fora and have a history of close alignment on multilateral issues such as human rights, Antarctica, climate change and environmental protection. Examples of this can be seen in the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO), the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA), and our adherence to the Antarctic Treaty System. New Zealand and Chile are also both members of the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting.

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