Canada -New Zealand relations

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• Bilateral relations
• Trade relations
• Partnerships and organizations

Bilateral relations

New Zealand is an important, like-minded partner for Canada on a broad range of issues, including security and defence; international trade; counter-terrorism; human rights and humanitarian policy; Indigenous issues; international fisheries and oceans governance; and culture.

New Zealand has a strong commitment to multilateralism and the rules-based international order, and is one of the first countries to which Canada turns when seeking support for priorities in the United Nations (UN); the Commonwealth; the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum; and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum. These close links are further strengthened under the informal Canada-Australia-New Zealand (CANZ) co-operation arrangement within the UN.

In New Zealand, Canada is represented by the High Commission of Canada in Wellington. Canada also has a Consulate/Trade Office in Auckland. New Zealand is represented in Canada by a High Commission in Ottawa and a Consulate General in Vancouver.

Canada formally established diplomatic relations with the Cook Islands and Niue, both self-governing states in free association with New Zealand through the formal exchange of diplomatic notes in 2023.

As a major player in the South Pacific, New Zealand assists Canada in understanding regional developments and providing practical support, as Canada does reciprocally in the Caribbean and Africa, where New Zealand has limited representation.

New Zealand’s indigenous Māori and Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Peoples share a special relationship and are engaged in a broad range of business and cultural exchanges.

About 7,800 people who live in New Zealand were born in Canada according to the 2018 New Zealand census, while 10,675 people who live in Canada were born in New Zealand according to the 2021 Canadian census.

Trade relations

New Zealand is a reliable and complementary trade partner for Canada, and the two countries cooperate closely in multilateral trade negotiations and the Cairns group of agricultural exporters. In 2022, bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and New Zealand totaled $1.6 billion. Canadian exports were valued at $652 million, and top exports were machinery, wood, sulfur, fertilizer, and pharmaceuticals. Imports were valued at $922 million and top imports were meat, beverages, dairy & related, machinery, and fruits. Bilateral services trade in 2021 was valued at about $381 million, with Canadian exports accounting for $240 million of that total.

In 2022, Canadian direct investment into New Zealand totalled $3 billion whereas New Zealand’s foreign direct investment into Canada was $548 million.

Related links

• Trade and investment agreements
• Import / Export controls
• Doing business in New Zealand

Partnerships and organizations

To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and New Zealand work closely in multilateral fora, such as:

• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
• Commonwealth
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
• International Criminal Court (ICC)
• International Monetary Fund (IMF)
• Open Government Partnership (OGP)
• Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
• Pacific Alliance
• Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue Partner (PIF)
• Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP)
• United Nations (UN)
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• World Trade Organization (WTO)