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Embassies and consular services for New Caledonia
| Location | Service areas |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Consulate-General, Noumea, New Caledonia | French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna |
Our relationship with New Caledonia
New Zealand has a long-standing relationship with New Caledonia, our closest geographic neighbour in the Pacific. The relationship is underpinned by a Joint Cooperation Plan [PDF, 284 KB], which establishes the priorities of our relationship and strengthens political, economic, and cultural links.
New Caledonia is an overseas territory of France located in the south-west Pacific. The 20-year Nouméa Accord Process has delivered greater autonomy to New Caledonia through the transfer of services provided and administered by France. France and New Caledonia are in the process of negotiating New Caledonia’s future institutional status.
France retains competency in foreign affairs and defence, immigration, police, the judicial system, and currency. New Caledonia has jurisdiction in all other affairs, and has competency to engage in and obtain membership of regional forums and organisations. New Caledonia has been a full member of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) since 2016 and participates in other for a such as the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). Nouméa hosts the headquarters of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).
Trade and investment
New Caledonia has one of the largest economies in the Pacific and is therefore a significant Pacific market for New Zealand.
New Caledonia’s economy relies largely on nickel exports, public services, and tourism revenue.
The latest information about New Zealand's trade profile with New Caledonia is available on the New Zealand Trade Dashboard(external link).
Defence and security
The New Zealand Defence Force and the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia regularly cooperate in a range of areas including disaster response, search and rescue, maritime surveillance and training exercises.
Development cooperation and sustainability
New Zealand does not provide official development assistance in New Caledonia due to its status as a high-income economy.
The New Zealand Consulate-General Fund supports small-scale community projects in New Caledonia. The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships Programme provides tertiary and short-term training scholarships to New Caledonian scholars.