New Zealand

Political relations

Relations between France and New Zealand are characterized by a shared vision of the major global issues, which is regularly reaffirmed in official meetings. The visit to Paris by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters in November 2024 and his trips to New Caledonia and French Polynesia that same year deepened political dialogue and strengthened cooperation between France and New Zealand in the Pacific. Prior to that, the visit by then Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to France in April 2018 marked the adoption of a joint declaration organizing our cooperation on subjects including the defence of multilateralism, the fight against climate change, the promotion of free trade that fosters corporate social responsibility, respect for the environment and standards, and greater cooperation in specific regions such as the Pacific and Antarctic.

Cooperation has also deepened in the framework of the Christchurch Call to Action, which was launched from Paris by President Macron and Prime Minister Ardern in May 2019. The Christchurch Call aims to fight online terrorist and violent extremist content and has been joined by many countries, including the United States at the Summit of the Call in May 2021. The fourth Summit took place on 11 November 2023 in Paris. A foundation was set up to support the Christchurch Call in the long term.

Bilateral relations continue to grow stronger, benefiting the whole of Oceania. The most recent political-military consultations were held in May 2024 in Wellington. Our armies cooperate on a regular basis particularly under the FRANZ (France, Australia, New Zealand) Agreement for emergency and humanitarian interventions in the event of natural disasters in the region. Our cooperation is also embodied by the Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group (Pacific QUAD, with Australia and the United States), which primarily seeks to ensure maritime security in close cooperation with the Forum Fisheries Agency.

Economic relations

Bilateral trade between France and New Zealand amounted to €966 million in 2023 with the commercial trade balance up 60% for the 2022-2023 period. France is the third-largest trading partner of New Zealand within the EU, and also an important source of investments in New Zealand, half of which goes to the manufacturing sector (particularly within the wine industry). French businesses are established in New Zealand or have acquired companies there, and vice-versa.

Bilateral trade between the EU and New Zealand amounted to €3.58 billion in services in 2021 and is expected to rise significantly with the entry into force of the free trade agreement in May 2024, which increases trade prospects for both parties.

France’s Minister Delegate Olivier Becht travelled to New Zealand between 4 and 8 March 2023, a sign of a buoyant relationship. He took part in the Business Forum organized by the Embassy in Auckland, which brought together 50 businesses from New Caledonia and French Polynesia.