Foreign relations of New Zealand 21360 222540814 2008-06-29T22:07:54Z 92.2.101.184 /* New Zealand-United States relations */ {{Politics of New Zealand}} The '''foreign relations of New Zealand''' are oriented chiefly toward developed democratic nations and emerging Pacific economies. The country’s major political parties have generally agreed on the broad outlines of foreign policy, and the current coalition government has been active in promoting [[free trade]], [[nuclear disarmament]], and [[arms control]].<ref>[http://www.disarmsecure.org/publications/books/phd_abstract.html Disarmament and Security Centre - Publications - Books<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==History== {{See also|Independence of New Zealand}} [[New Zealand]] was first settled by [[Polynesians]] at some point between 800 and 1300 AD. There was no known subsequent contact with the outside world until the visit of Dutch explorer [[Abel Tasman]] in 1642. One of Tasman's rowboats was rammed by a [[Māori]] canoe and several of his sailors were killed. Tasman and his crew left without setting foot on land, and New Zealand returned to isolation for more than a century. From the 1760s New Zealand was visited by various European explorers and traders, and later missionaries and settlers. An informal system of trade was established, especially in [[Northland]], and some [[iwi]] (tribes) became wealthy and powerful. As Māori lacked a system of formal government, relationships with other nations were ad hoc and informal. In 1835 a group of Northland chiefs, under the guidance of British resident [[James Busby]], signed a [[Declaration of the Independence of New Zealand|declaration of independence]], which was recognised by [[William IV of the United Kingdom]]. Many Māori were still worried that a European power might invade and dispossess them, and some iwi were having difficulties controlling the large numbers of Europeans who visited and settled in their areas. English [[missionaries]] were also concerned about the levels of lawlessness, which were undermining their efforts to convert Māori to [[Christianity]]. The British [[Colonial Office]], influenced by the missionaries and by reports that the independent [[New Zealand Company]] was planning to privately colonise the islands, sent naval captain [[William Hobson]] to negotiate a treaty. The subsequent [[Treaty of Waitangi]], signed in 1840, made New Zealand part of the British Empire, established a [[Governor of New Zealand]], and gave Māori the rights of British subjects. The [[annexation]] of New Zealand by Britain meant that [[United Kingdom|Britain]] now controlled New Zealand's foreign policy. Mass immigration from Britain and Ireland began, although there was also settlement from other parts of the world. In the 1860s, the outbreak of [[New Zealand land wars|war]] in the [[North Island]] necessitated the sending of British troops to New Zealand. External trade, which had formerly consisted mostly of Māori selling food, [[flax]] and timber to visiting vessels and to [[Australia]], began to change. Large-scale Māori land loss destroyed the Māori role in international trade, and it became dominated by the sale of [[wool]] to Britain. From the 1890s the development of [[refrigerated]] shipping allowed the establishment of an export economy based on the mass export of frozen meat and dairy products to Britain. Around this time, New Zealand made its first contribution to an external war, sending troops to fight on the British side in the [[Second Boer War]], and the country changed its status from [[colony]] to [[dominion]]. New Zealand troops also fought in both World Wars, and although there were New Zealand divisions, in both cases they were controlled by the British. Between the wars the [[First Labour Government of New Zealand|First Labour Government]] showed a limited degree of independence in foreign policy, for example opposing the appeasement of belligerent powers. However, when [[World War II]] broke out, they threw New Zealand whole-heartedly into the defence of Britain, with [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Prime Minister]] [[Michael Joseph Savage]] declaring that 'where ever Britain goes, we go; where ever Britain stands, we stand'. New Zealand soldiers remained in Europe throughout the war even when New Zealand was concerned about invasion by the [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]]. The [[Statute of Westminster]], which made certain former colonies completely self-governing, was not ratified by New Zealand until 1947. The [[Fall of Singapore]] during World War II made New Zealand realise that Britain could no longer be relied on to protect her colonies. An alliance with the [[United States of America]] was sought, and in 1951 the [[ANZUS]] Treaty between New Zealand, Australia and the US was signed. In return for America's guarantee of protection, New Zealand felt obliged to support America in its wars, and New Zealand forces were committed to the [[Korean War|Korean]] and [[Vietnam War]]s. By the 1970s, many New Zealanders began to feel uncomfortable with their country's support for the US, particularly in Vietnam and regarding the visits of nuclear-powered and armed American warships. The [[Third Labour Government of New Zealand|Third Labour government]] (1972-75) pulled New Zealand out of the Vietnam War and protested against [[French nuclear testing]] in the Pacific, at one stage sending a warship to act as disapproving witness to the tests. New Zealand was forced into further independence by Britain's entry into the [[European Economic Community]] in the early 1970s. This restricted New Zealand's trade access to its biggest market, and new markets were sought in Asia, America and the Middle East. A free trade [[Closer Economic Relations]] agreement was signed with Australia in 1983. The election of the [[Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand|Fourth Labour Government]] in 1984 marked a new period of independent foreign policy. Nuclear powered and nuclear armed ships were banned from New Zealand waters, effectively removing New Zealand from the ANZUS pact. Immigration laws were liberalised, leading to a massive increase in immigration from Asia. The [[Fourth National Government of New Zealand|Fourth National Government]] (1990-99) liberalised trade by removing most tariffs and import restrictions. In 2008, [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (New Zealand)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]] [[Winston Peters]] announced what he called "a seismic change for New Zealand’s foreign service", designed to remedy the country's "struggling to maintain an adequate presence on the international stage". Peters said that the Ministry would receive additional funding and increase the number of New Zealand diplomats serving abroad by 50%.<ref>[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0804/S00406.htm "Seismic change for NZ’s foreign service"], Winston Peters, New Zealand government press release, April 16, 2008</ref> ==New Zealand and the United Nations== {{main|New Zealand and the United Nations}} New Zealand was a founding member of the [[UN]] in [[1945]]. [[New Zealand Prime Minister]] [[Peter Fraser]] felt that in order for New Zealand to be secure in the [[South Pacific]], it need to align itself with major world powers like the [[USA]] through some kind of organization that could guarantee small powers a say in world affairs. Since the defeat of the [[Royal Navy]] during [[WWII]] it became clear that [[United Kingdom|Britain]] was no longer able to protect New Zealand so the government decided that a policy of independent relations with a group of strong powers was the best way to defend New Zealand. ==Participation in international organizations== New Zealand participates in the [[United Nations]] (UN); [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO); [[World Bank]]; [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF); [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] (OECD); [[International Energy Agency]]; [[Asian Development Bank]]; [[South Pacific Forum]]; [[The Pacific Community]]; [[Colombo Plan]]; [[Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation]] (APEC); and the [[International Whaling Commission]]. New Zealand also is an active member of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]]. Despite the 1985 rupture in the [[ANZUS]] alliance, New Zealand has maintained good working relations with the [[New Zealand-United States relations|United States]] and [[Australia]] on a broad array of international issues. In the past, New Zealand’s geographic isolation and its [[agricultural]] economy’s general prosperity minimized public interest in international affairs. However, growing global trade and other international economic events have made New Zealanders increasingly aware of their country’s dependence on unstable overseas markets. New Zealand is a strong advocate of free trade, especially in agricultural products, and is a member of the Cairns group of nations in the WTO. New Zealand’s economic involvement with [[Asia]] is increasingly important. New Zealand is a “dialogue partner” with the Association of South East Asian Nations ([[ASEAN]]), a member of the [[East Asia Summit]] and an active participant in [[APEC]]. As a charter member of the [[Colombo Plan]], New Zealand has provided Asian countries with technical assistance and capital. It also contributes through the [[Asian Development Bank]] and through UN programs and is a member of the [[UN Economic and Social Council for Asia and the Pacific]]. ===Summary of international organization participation=== [[ABEDA]], [[ANZUS]] (U.S. suspended security obligations to NZ on [[11 August]], [[1986]]), [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation|APEC]], [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations|ARF]] (dialogue partner), [[Asian Development Bank|AsDB]], [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations|ASEAN]] (dialogue partner), [[Australia Group]], [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]], [[Colombo Plan|CP]], [[European Bank for Reconstruction and Development|EBRD]], [[Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific|ESCAP]], [[Food and Agriculture Organization|FAO]], [[International Atomic Energy Agency|IAEA]], [[International Bank for Reconstruction and Development|IBRD]], [[International Civil Aviation Organization|ICAO]], [[International Chamber of Commerce|ICC]], [[International Criminal Court|ICCt]], [[International Confederation of Free Trade Unions|ICFTU]], [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|ICRM]], [[International Development Association|IDA]], [[International Energy Agency|IEA]], [[International Fund for Agricultural Development|IFAD]], [[International Finance Corporation|IFC]], [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|IFRCS]], [[International Hydrographic Organization|IHO]], [[International Labour Organization|ILO]], [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]], [[International Maritime Organization|IMO]], [[Interpol]], [[International Olympic Committee|IOC]], [[International Organization for Migration|IOM]] (observer), [[International Organization for Standardization|ISO]], [[International Telecommunication Union|ITU]], [[Non-Aligned Movement|NAM]] (guest), [[Nuclear Suppliers Group|NSG]], [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development|OECD]], [[Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons|OPCW]], [[Permanent Court of Arbitration|PCA]], [[Pacific Islands Forum|PIF]], [[Sparteca]], [[Secretariat of the Pacific Community|SPC]], [[United Nations|UN]], [[United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone|UNAMSIL]], [[United Nations Conference on Trade and Development|UNCTAD]], [[United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization|UNESCO]], [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees|UNHCR]], [[United Nations Industrial Development Organization|UNIDO]], [[United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo|UNMIK]], [[UNMISET]], [[United Nations Mission of Observers in Prevlaka|UNMOP]], [[United Nations Truce Supervision Organization|UNTSO]], [[Universal Postal Union|UPU]], [[World Customs Organization|WCO]], [[World Federation of Trade Unions|WFTU]], [[World Health Organization|WHO]], [[World Intellectual Property Organization|WIPO]], [[World Meteorological Organization|WMO]], [[World Trade Organization|WTO]]<ref>Source: [[CIA World Factbook]], 2003 edition [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ (external link)].</ref> ==Overseas territories== New Zealand administers [[Tokelau]] (formerly known as the Tokelau Islands) as a non self-governing colonial territory. In February 2006 a UN-sponsored referedum was held in Tokelau on whether to become a self-governing state, but this failed to achieve the two-thirds majority required to pass. New Zealand also retains some responsibilities for former colonies [[Niue]] and the [[Cook Islands]]. Citizens of all three countries hold [[New Zealand citizenship]] and its associated rights to healthcare and education in New Zealand. [[Samoa]] was a New Zealand protectorate from 1918 to independence in 1962. New Zealand also claims a part of [[Antarctica]] known as the [[Ross Dependency]]. ==Trade== New Zealand has existing free trade agreements with [[Australia]], [[Brunei]], [[Chile]], the [[People's Republic of China]], [[Singapore]], and [[Thailand]]; new free trade agreements are under negotiation with ASEAN, [[Hong Kong]], and [[Malaysia]].<ref>Source: [http://www.mfat.govt.nz/foreign/tnd/ceps/cepindex.html NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade].</ref> New Zealand is involved in the WTO's [[Doha round|Doha Development Agenda]] and was disappointed by the failure of [[Doha round#Geneva.2C 2006|the most recent talks]] in July 2006. New Zealand's main export is food, primarily dairy products, meat, fruit and fish; about 95% of the country's agricultural produce is exported.<ref name="mfat_overview">Source: [http://www.mfat.govt.nz/support/tplu/tradematters/tmoverview.html NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade].</ref> Other major exports are wood, and mechanical and electrical equipment. About 46% of exports are non-agricultural,<ref name="mfat_overview"/> but the largest industry is still the food industry. Tourism is also an extremely important component of international trade: transport and travel form around 20% of the country's export trade.<ref name="snz_exports">Source: [http://www.stats.govt.nz/products-and-services/new-zealand-in-profile-2006/exports.htm Statistics New Zealand].</ref> New Zealand does not have large quantities of mineral resources, though it does produce some coal, oil, and natural gas.<ref name="snz_exports"/> New Zealand's largest source of imports is Australia, followed by (in order) the United States, Japan, China, and Germany. The largest destinations for exports are, in order, Australia, the USA, Japan, China, and the UK. 71% of New Zealand's exports are to APEC countries. Trade figures for 2005 with New Zealand's biggest trade partners are as follows:<ref>Source: [http://www.stats.govt.nz/products-and-services/table-builder/table-builder-exports-imports.htm Statistics New Zealand].</ref> {| border="1" align="center" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" |+ ''2005 merchandise imports and exports (millions of NZ dollars)'' ! Country !! Imports !! Exports ! Country !! Imports !! Exports |- | Australia || align="right"| 7,682 || align="right"| 6,589 | Malaysia || align="right"| 945 || align="right"| 468 |- | China || align="right"| 4,033 || align="right"| 1,566 | Singapore || align="right"| 1,240 || align="right"| 428 |- | Germany || align="right"| 1,804 || align="right"| 789 | Taiwan || align="right"| 880 || align="right"| 773 |- | Indonesia || align="right"| 586 || align="right"| 465 | Thailand || align="right"| 951 || align="right"| 338 |- | Italy || align="right"| 874 || align="right"| 446 | UK || align="right"| 1,192 || align="right"| 1,432 |- | Japan || align="right"| 4,082 || align="right"| 3,260 | USA || align="right"| 4,064 || align="right"| 4,373 |- | South Korea || align="right"| 1,024 || align="right"| 1,081 | '''Total (world)''' || align="right"| 22,837 || align="right"| 30,817 |} ==Military== {{main|Military history of New Zealand}} The [[New Zealand Defence Force]] is small and somewhat under-funded compared to many other countries.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} Its overseas duties consist mostly of [[peacekeeping]], especially in the Pacific. In the 21st century, peacekeeping detachments have been deployed to [[East Timor]], the [[Solomon Islands]], and [[Tonga]]. Engineering and support forces have also been involved in the [[Iraq War]], although New Zealand is not a member of the '[[coalition of the willing]]'. New Zealand's heaviest military involvement in recent decades has been in [[Afghanistan]] following the United States-led invasion of that country after the [[September 11]] attacks. The deployment has included [[New Zealand SAS|SAS]] troops. ==Foreign aid== New Zealand's official aid programme is managed by the [[New Zealand Agency for International Development]] (NZAID), a semi-autonomous body within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In 2007 New Zealand was the sixth lowest foreign aid donor in the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] (OECD), based on proportion of [[gross national income]] (GNP) spent on overseas development assistance. New Zealand's contribution was 0.27% of GNP.[http://www.oxfam.org.nz/news.asp?aid=1413] Much this went to the Pacific region. However the country is occasionally more generous in responding to major crises, for example donating around 100 million [[New Zealand dollar]]s to the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]] relief effort. New Zealand troops and aircraft are also often sent to disaster areas in the Asia-Pacific. ==Nuclear free policy== {{see|New Zealand's nuclear-free zone}} In the 1970s and 1980s anti-nuclear sentiment increased across New Zealand fuelling concerns about [[French nuclear tests|French nuclear testing]] in the Pacific at [[Moruroa]] atoll. The third Labour Government under [[Norman Kirk]], co-sponsored by [[Australia]], took [[France]] before the [[International Court of Justice]] in 1972,<ref>[http://www.disarmsecure.org/publications/papers/legal_challenges.html Disarmament and Security Centre - Publications - Papers<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> requesting that the French cease atmospheric [[nuclear testing]] at Mururoa Atoll in [[French Polynesia]] in the southern [[Pacific Ocean]]. In 1972, as an act of defiance and protest the Kirk government sent two of its navy [[frigate]]s, HMNZS Canterbury and Otago into the Moruroa test zone area.<ref>[http://www.mururoavet.com/ Mururoa Nuclear Tests, RNZN protest Veterans - Home<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Peace]] yachts attempting to disrupt the French tests had been sailing in coordinated protests into the Mururoa exclusion zones between 1972-1991.<ref> Making Waves the Greenpeace New Zealand Story by Michael Szabo ISBN 0 7900 0230 2</ref> Concerns about [[Nuclear proliferation]] and the presence of nuclear warheads or reactors on [[United States Navy]] ships visiting New Zealand ports continued to escalate. After it was elected in 1984, the [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]] government of [[David Lange]] indicated its opposition to visits by such ships. In 1987 the labour Government declared New Zealand a [[New Zealand's nuclear-free zone|nuclear-free zone]] ([[New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987]]), effectively legally removing New Zealand from the [[Mutual assured destruction|nuclear deterrent]] scenario and banning the entry of nuclear powered warships into its ports. Warships that did not fall into this category were not blocked, but the US took the view that any subsequent visit by a warship to New Zealand could not be carried out without violating the US' security policy of "neither confirming nor denying" nuclear capability of its ships.<ref>[http://www.esr.org.nz/events/even2004/NuclearFreeNZ.html Nuclear-Free New Zealand - Twenty Years On<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> After increasingly acrimonious debates, in August 1986 the United States formally suspended its security obligations to New Zealand that it had under the [[ANZUS]] mutual defence pact. This suspension remains in effect today, although the US no longer carries nuclear weapons aboard its surface naval vessels.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} In 1987 New Zealand passed legislation making the country a nuclear free zone, namely the [[New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act]]; in the same year the US retaliated with the Broomfield Act, designating New Zealand as a "friend" rather than an "ally".<ref>See further R. Thakur 1989 (October), "Creation of the nuclear-free New Zealand: brinkmanship without a brink," ''Asian Survey'' 29: 919-39.</ref> Relations between New Zealand and the US have had several ups and downs since then. In recent years, some voices have suggested removing the anti-nuclear legislation, especially the [[ACT New Zealand]] political party; and up until February 2006 the [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]] was in favour of holding a referendum on the issue. However, [[public opinion]] remains strongly in favour of the country's status as a nuclear free zone. In May 2006, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, [[Christopher R. Hill|Christopher Hill]], described the disagreement between the US and New Zealand as "a relic" but also signalled that the US wanted a closer defence relationship with New Zealand and praised New Zealand’s involvement in Afghanistan and reconstruction in Iraq. "Rather than trying to change each other's minds on the nuclear issue, which is a bit of a relic, I think we should focus on things we can make work," he told the ''Australian Financial Review''.<ref>Xinhua, [http://english.people.com.cn/200605/09/eng20060509_264241.html "NZ, U.S. links delicate on nuclear ban"], ''People's Daily Online'', 9 May 2006.</ref> Pressure from the United States on New Zealand's foreign policy increased in 2006, with U.S. trade officials linking the repeal of the ban of American nuclear ships from New Zealand's ports to a potential [[free trade]] agreement between the two countries.<ref>[http://www.newsweekly.com.au/articles/2002nov02_nz1.html NEW ZEALAND: US links free trade to repeal of NZ nuclear ships ban - 2 November 2002<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Relations between France and New Zealand were strained for two short periods in the 1980s and 1990s over the [[French nuclear tests]] at [[Moruroa]] and the [[Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior|bombing of the Rainbow Warrior]] in Auckland harbour. The latter was widely regarded as an act of [[state terrorism]] against New Zealand's sovereignty and was ordered by then French President [[François Mitterrand]], although he denied any involvement at the time.<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article542620.ece Mitterrand ordered bombing of Rainbow Warrior, spy chief says - Times Online<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> These events worked to strengthen New Zealand's resolve to retain its anti-nuclear policy. Relations between the two countries are now cordial, with strong trade and many new bilateral links.<ref>Sources: [http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Europe/France.php#bilateral NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade], [http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/pays-zones-geo_833/nouvelle-zelande_575/france-nouvelle-zelande_1198/index.html French Ministère des Affaires étrangères].</ref> <!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:George W. Bush and Helen Clark meet at the White House.jpg|thumb|right||President of the United States of America, George W. Bush and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark meet at the White House.]] --> ==Pacific relations== [[Image:New Zealand High Commission in Nuku'alofa.jpg|thumb|200px|right|New Zealand [[High Commission]] in [[Nukuʻalofa|Nuku{{Okina}}alofa]], Tonga.]] Much of New Zealand's foreign policy is focused on the Pacific region, particularly [[Polynesia]] and [[Melanesia]]. Bilateral economic assistance resources have been focused on projects in the South Pacific island states, especially on [[Bougainville Island|Bougainville]]. The country’s long association with [[Samoa]] (formerly known as Western Samoa), reflected in a treaty of friendship signed in 1962, and its close association with [[Tonga]] have resulted in a flow of immigrants and visitors under work permit schemes from both countries. Recently New Zealand forces participated in peacekeeping efforts in the Pacific region in [[East Timor]], the [[Solomon Islands]] and [[Tonga]], see [[Military history of New Zealand#Peacekeeping and observation|Military history of New Zealand]]. In 1947, New Zealand joined [[Australia]], [[France]], the [[United Kingdom]], and the [[United States]] to form the [[South Pacific Commission]], a regional body to promote the welfare of the Pacific region. New Zealand has been a leader in the organization. In 1971, New Zealand joined the other independent and self-governing states of the South Pacific to establish the South Pacific Forum (now known as the [[Pacific Islands Forum]]), which meets annually at the “heads of government” level. ===2006 East Timor crisis=== {{main|2006 East Timorese crisis}} On [[May 25]], Prime Minister Clark requested more information as to exactly what support [[East Timor]] would require from New Zealand, before committing any forces. She said that "It's very important not to walk into what is a factional dispute in some respects and be seen to be taking sides," and "It's also important to be mindful that the [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]] is having consultations as we speak."<ref name="ABC UN camp">{{cite news | title=UN opens E Timor refugee camp | date=2006-05-25 | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200605/s1646931.htm}}</ref> On [[May 26]], New Zealand deployed forty-two troops, with a second contingent of 120 troops leaving [[Christchurch]] on [[May 27]], en route to [[Townsville, Queensland|Townsville]], [[Queensland]] before being sent to East Timor. Clark said that the forces would be deployed where needed by the Australian command.<ref name="TVNZ more troops">{{cite news | author=RNZ | title=More troops as Dili violence escalates | date=2006-05-27 | publisher=Television New Zealand | url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411365/726939}}</ref> ===New Zealand-Fiji relations=== {{main|New Zealand-Fiji relations}} Since the 2006 Military Coup in Fiji relationships between the country have turned icy. In 2007 New Zealand's High Commissioner for Fiji Michael Green was expelled from Fiji by Military leader Frank Banimarama. Angry at this action the New Zealand government increased trade sanctions against the country while both major political parties saying the expulsion was outrageous and unacceptable. ==New Zealand-Australia relations== {{main|Australia-New Zealand relations}} New Zealand's relations with Australia are very close; the [[Closer Economic Relations]] agreement gives each country access to the other's markets, and the [[Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement]] allows New Zealanders and Australians automatic residency in each other's countries. As a result of the latter agreement, there is substantial migration between the two countries but especially from New Zealand to Australia. The [[Australian Constitution]] allows for New Zealand to become part of Australia, and although the idea is sometimes floated it has little support in Australia and less in New Zealand. ==New Zealand-Canada relations== {{main|New Zealand-Canada relations}} New Zealand-Canada relations refers to international relations between [[New Zealand]] and [[Canada]]. New Zealand and Canada have a close and longstanding relationship that has been fostered by both countries close [[history]] and [[culture]], by extremely close ties to the [[Commonwealth of Nations]] and extensive links to people in either country. Both New Zealand and Canada have a common [[Head of State]], [[Queen Elizabeth II]]. Canada has said that New Zealand is a valuable international partner despite the thousands of miles separating the two countries. Both share a like-minded view of the world on a variety of issues. New Zealand and Canada have close links whether it be through business or trade relations, the [[United Nations]], the Commonwealth or mutual treaty agreements, New Zealand-Canada relations are extremely important to both countries. ==New Zealand-China relations== {{main|Sino-New Zealand relations}} New Zealand contact with China started very early in its history with the first records of ethnic Chinese in New Zealand were immigrants from Guangdong Province, who arrived during the [[1860]]s [[gold rush]] era, with missionary, trade, extensive [[immigration]] and other links continuing during China’s Republican era ([[1912]]-[[1949]]). The establishment of the People’s Republic brought these links to a halt. New Zealand formally recognised the PRC in [[1972]]. New Zealand and China celebrated 35 years of diplomatic relations in 2007. The bilateral relationship has grown to become one of New Zealand’s most important. A free trade agreement ([[FTA]]) between China and New Zealand was signed on [[7 April]] [[2008]] by [[Premier of the People's Republic of China]] [[Wen Jiabao]] and [[Prime Minister of New Zealand]] [[Helen Clark]] in [[Beijing]]. It is the first free trade agreement that China has signed with any [[developed country]]. ==New Zealand-Greece relations== {{main|Greece-New Zealand relations}} Stemming from World War II, New Zealand forces fought alongside the Greeks in continental Greece and Crete since then, Greece has claimed a special relationship with New Zealand. An under-equipped force made-up of largely New Zealand, Australian, British and Greek troops fought to protect the island from invasion. The [[Battle of Crete]] is commemorated every year in both [[Crete]] and New Zealand. Prime Minister [[Helen Clark]] led a large party from New Zealand to Crete in [[May 2001]] to attend the 60th anniversary of the battle. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon [[Phil Goff]], attended anniversary celebrations in [[May 2003]] and Hon Annette King in [[May 2006]]. The war was followed by a modest wave of Greek [[emigration]] to New Zealand. In the 2006 [[Census]] 2,547 people primarily identified themselves as being Greek. A bilateral Social Security Agreement came into force on [[1 April]] [[1994]]. ==New Zealand-Israel relations== {{main|Israel-New Zealand relations|2004 Israel-New Zealand spy scandal}} Relations between New Zealand and [[Israel]] became fraught in 2004 when two Israeli citizens, believed to be [[Mossad]] agents, were convicted of passport fraud. Diplomatic sanctions were imposed by New Zealand, but lifted after a formal apology by the [[Israeli Foreign Minister]] the following year. On [[August 14]], [[2006]], [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Prime Minister]] [[Helen Clark]] expressed her happiness that the [[United Nations Security Council]] had unanimously passed [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701|Resolution 1701]], calling for a "full cessation of hostilities" between [[Israeli]] and [[Hezbollah]], on [[August 11]].<ref>NZ government press release, [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00199.htm "NZ welcomes Security Council resolution"], ''Scoop'', 12 August 2006.</ref> == New Zealand-North Korea relations == [[Image:CLark and Bush in the Oval Office.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Helen Clark and George Bush meet in the [[Oval Office]].]] {{main|New Zealand-North Korea relations}} Although diplomatic relations were established between [[New Zealand]] and [[North Korea]] in 2001, a recent trip by [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (New Zealand)|New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister]] [[Winston Peters]] to [[Pyongyang]], the capital city of [[North Korea]] was the first visit by a New Zealand foreign minister to that country.<ref name=HeraldNK /> The trip was about establishing economic and political deals with crippled North Korean economy on the basis that it start dismantling its [[nuclear weapons]] facilities. <ref>[http://www.nzembassy.com/news.cfm?CFID=10855988&CFTOKEN=53100651&c=8&l=39&i=4092 Peters to Visit North Korea and US; Attend EAS - press release Rt Hon Winston Peters 8 November 2007]</ref> [[United States Secretary of State]] [[Condoleezza Rice]] congratulated Mr Peters on his effort in negotiating with a potential nuclear threat and welcomed Peters' actions on the matter. <ref name=HeraldNK>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10477218&ref=rss Peters reports back to US on N Korea]</ref> ==New Zealand-Pakistan relations== {{main|New Zealand-Pakistan relations}} ==New Zealand-United States relations== {{main|New Zealand-United States relations}} New Zealand is a [[Major non-NATO ally]] ally of the United States and has been since [[1997]]. Despite the political contention over ANZUS, New Zealand forces have cooperated with U.S. forces subsequently in the [[Gulf War|1991 Gulf War]] and in the 2001 [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|U.S. invasion of Afghanistan]]. New Zealand forces did not participate in the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]], but a contingent of New Zealand army engineers assisted with reconstruction work in Iraq in the aftermath of the war, being based in [[Basra]]. New Zealand also participates in the [[ECHELON]] programme. ==See also== * [[New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade]] * [[List of Ambassadors and High Commissioners to and from New Zealand]] * [[Diplomatic missions of New Zealand]] * [[List of diplomatic posts in New Zealand]] * [[2005-2006 Christian Peacemaker hostage crisis]] ==References== <!--See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the<ref> and </ref> tags and the tag below --> {{reflist}} <br/>{{Pacific Islands Forum}} {{New Zealand topics}} {{New Zealand bilateral relations}} {{Free Trade Associations of New Zealand}} <!--Categories--> [[Category:Foreign relations of New Zealand| ]] [[Category:Foreign relations by country|New Zealand]] <!--Other languages-->