Europe

Our relationship with Europe

New Zealand has strong relationships with individual countries in Europe. The British, Italians, Germans, French, Scandinavians, and Dalmatians were among early European immigrants to New Zealand. Shared experiences in both World Wars deepened connections further. After World War II, there was another wave of immigration from the Netherlands and Wellington became home to more than 700 Polish orphans.

European countries are among our most significant science and innovation relationships with more than half of New Zealand’s researchers having an active collaboration with a European partner. There are particularly strong links with France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

New Zealand has working holiday schemes(external link) with 25 European countries that let young people work in New Zealand for up to 12 months.

European Union

Our relationship with the EU

Our relationship with the EU is significant, as we share values, perspectives and interests that make us much closer than geography would suggest.

We share a deep commitment to democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and a sense of international citizenship—our common values see us working together on many global issues including international security, climate change, and development in the Pacific.

The 27 EU Member States are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

Trade and investment

In July 2023, New Zealand and the EU signed a high-quality, comprehensive, and progressive Free Trade Agreement which entered into force in May 2024. The FTA contains world-leading commitments on sustainable and inclusive trade.

The New Zealand Europe Business Council (NZEBC)(external link) was created in 2005 to promote the establishment of closer economic cooperation between New Zealand and Europe. NZEBC provides a forum and liaison structure for the co-ordination of activities of various trade organisations, chambers of commerce, delegations, diplomatic missions, and consular representatives.

New Zealand and European Union citizens are like-minded: we think that trade should build prosperity for all, support efforts on climate change, encourage sustainable development, help companies of all sizes to grow, and improve quality of life by delivering safe, high-quality products to consumers. 

The latest information about New Zealand's trade profile with the EU is available on the New Zealand Trade Dashboard(external link).

People and culture

The EU-New Zealand relationship is reinforced by the Partnership Agreement on Relations and Cooperation (PARC). The PARC is the vehicle for progressing close cooperation between the EU and New Zealand across a wide range of interests. We have regular substantive dialogue on bilateral, strategic, and global issues. 

Aid and sustainability

The EU is our most significant science and innovation relationship, and more than half of New Zealand’s researchers have an active collaboration with a European partner. There are particularly strong links with Germany, and France. Our science and innovation relationship with the EU is supported by the 2009 Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement and has been instrumental in creating stronger links with Europe.

New Zealand is an associated country in Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe, the European Union’s largest-ever research and innovation programme. New Zealand-based researchers and organisations can join or lead Horizon Europe projects and receive funding on equal terms with their European counterparts.

The EU is a significant development partner to the Pacific, focusing on a range of sectors including resilience, climate change, renewable energy, economic growth, gender, and regional integration. Much of the EU’s assistance is delivered through project-based support to regional organisations, although it is also making use of budget support at the country level.

Follow Us

X | @NZinEU | New Zealand Mission to the EU (external link)

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

Our formal connections with European countries also include our work with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

To find out about New Zealand’s role in the OECD, see New Zealand and the OECD: 40 years of collaboration(external link).

For OECD reports and statistics on New Zealand see the OECD website(external link).