Japan-New Zealand Relations (Basic Data)

September 2012

Japan and New Zealand are steadily developing their bilateral ties, centering on a mutually complementary trade relationship. In recent years, they have built a cooperative relationship in a wide spectrum of fields, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and other international forums in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as activities at the United Nations level. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the frequency of ministerial-level visits between the two countries. Japan and New Zealand are also expanding their exchanges in such fields as science, culture, sports and sister city activities.

In their meeting in Tokyo in May, 2008, then Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and the Prime Minister Helen Clark renewed their commitment to strengthen Japan-New Zealand relationship, noting that the two countries are natural partners in the Asia-Pacific region, with shared democratic values.

History of Japan-New Zealand Exchange

1928	Provisional Arrangement between Japan and New Zealand Concerning Commerce, Customs and Navigation (the first treaty signed by New Zealand since becoming a self-governing dominion).
1938	Japanese consulate established in Wellington.
1952	New Zealand legation established in Tokyo.
1953	Japanese legation established in New Zealand.
1955	Visit to Japan by Prime Minister Sidney Holland (the first by a New Zealand premier).
1957	Visit to New Zealand by Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi (the first by a Japanese premier).
1958	Agreement on Commerce between Japan and New Zealand.
1963	Convention between Japan and New Zealand for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income.
1967	Japanese consulate established in Auckland.
1970	Arrangement between the Government of Japan and the Government of New Zealand Concerning Reciprocal Waiving of Passport Visas and Passport Visa Fees.
1971	Japanese consular office in Auckland upgraded to consulate-general status.
1978	Agreement on Fisheries between the Government of Japan and the Government of New Zealand.
1980	Agreement between Japan and New Zealand for Air Services.
1985	Agreement between Japan and New Zealand for Working Holidays.

VIP Visits

Visits to Japan from New Zealand

Year	Name
1955	Prime Minister Sidney Holland
1959	Prime Minister Walter Nash
1960	Prime Minister Keith Holyoake
1965	Prime Minister Keith Holyoake
1968	Prime Minister Keith Holyoake
1970	Prime Minister Keith Holyoake
1976	Prime Minister Robert Muldoon
1981	Prime Minister Robert Muldoon
1990	Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer
1993	Prime Minister James Bolger
1995	Prime Minister James Bolger
1996	Prime Minister James Bolger
1998	Prime Minister Jenny Shipley
1999	Prime Minister Jenny Shipley
2001	Prime Minister Helen Clark
2005	Prime Minister Helen Clark
2008	Prime Minister Helen Clark

Visits to New Zealand from Japan

Year	Name
1957	Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi
1963	Prime Minister Hayato Ikeda
1967	Prime Minister Eisaku Sato
1971	Prince and Princess Mikasa
1973	The Crown Prince and Princess (the current Emperor and Empress)
1974	Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka
1980	Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira
1980	Prince Akishino
1982	Prince Katsura
1985	Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone
1993	Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa
1997	Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto
2002	Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
2002	The Crown Prince and Princess

Bilateral Forums

Japan and New Zealand hold consultations as required through ministerial-level visits and other contacts. They also conduct a variety of government-level forums, including foreign ministry consultations and economic consultations at senior official level.

Economic Relations

(1) Trade

In the area of trade, Japan is New Zealand's fourth largest trading partner after Australia, the United States, and China.

(A) Japan's Exports to New Zealand: Total exports in 2008: NZ$ 3,955 million
Principal export items:
Motor Vehicles NZ$ 1,358 million
Petroleum oils, not crude NZ$ 510 million
Trucks and vans NZ$ 312 million
Bulldozers, graders, etc. NZ$ 162 million
Printing machinery NZ$ 103 million

(B) Japan's Imports from New Zealand: Total imports in 2008: NZ$ 3,613 million
Principal import items
Aluminium NZ$ 769 million
Cheese NZ$ 365 million
Fresh fruit NZ$ 245 million
Confidential items NZ$ 217 million
Casein NZ$ 178 million

(2) Investment

Japanese direct investment in New Zealand has reached a cumulative total of NZ$2.01 billion (up to March, 2008).

(3) Tourism

The number of Japanese visiting New Zealand was 102,482 in 2008. Meanwhile, 33,682 New Zealanders visited Japan in 2008.

Number of Nationals Resident in Each Country

Japanese residents (long term residents (more than three months) and permanent residents) in New Zealand: 12,250 (as of October 1, 2007)
New Zealand residents in Japan: 3,762 (as of December 31, 2006)

Educational and Cultural Exchange, etc.

(1) Japan-New Zealand Cultural Exchange: The main channels for cultural and sporting exchange between Japan and New Zealand are the Japan Foundation, local governments and the private sector. Each year a variety of events are staged in New Zealand to introduce Japanese culture.
(2) The JET Program: The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program is a joint project run by the Japanese Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs and Telecommunications, and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and local government bodies. Its purpose is to bring young people from other countries to Japan to work as Assistant Language Teachers (ALT), Coordinators for International Relations (CIR) and in other capacities. Over 2,200 New Zealanders have so far participated in the program as ALTs or CIRs since the beginning of the Program in 1987 . The JET program has made an important contribution to the promotion of friendly relations between Japan and New Zealand in grassroots level.
(3) Japanese Language Teaching in New Zealand: In both New Zealand and Australia, Japanese is taught extensively at the secondary and tertiary levels of education. According to a survey, in 2006, 29,904 people in New Zealand are studying Japanese, which is now one of the most popular foreign languages learned. Japan Foundation activities in this area include the dispatch of Japanese teaching experts, study programs in Japan for New Zealanders working as Japanese teachers, the donation of teaching materials, and Japanese proficiency testing.
(4) Japanese Students Studying in New Zealand: The number of Japanese students studying in New Zealand, including short-term (less than three months) visitors attending language courses, is 10,676 in 2008. As a provider of foreign students, Japan ranks third place behind China and South Korea.
(5) Working Holiday Scheme: Japan and New Zealand agreed to establish a working holiday scheme in 1985. In 2008, the number of Japanese who obtained entering visas to New Zealand under this scheme is 2,373 (The total number since 1985 amounts 55,918.), while that of New Zealanders is 175 (The total number since 1985 amounts 9,446.).
(6) Sister Cities: The first sister-city relationship between the cities of Japan and New Zealand was formed between Christchurch and Kurashiki in 1973. Exchange activities at the regional city level have expanded considerably since that time, and at present there are 43 sister city relationships between Japan and New Zealand.
(7) The Asia 2000 Foundation of New Zealand: The Asia 2000 Foundation of New Zealand was established by the New Zealand government in 1994. It undertakes a variety of activities designed to inform New Zealanders about Asia and promote the acquisition of skills needed to foster mutual understanding and closer relations. Activities relating to Japan include the provision of subsidies to enable New Zealand business people in Japan to learn Japanese and financial assistance for research in New Zealand by Japanese scholars.

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