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New Zealand has previously had a number of discreet connections with Namibia, but overall the relationship is thin and contact is largely via the Commonwealth and the United Nations. New Zealand for many years supported the implementation of the United Nations programme for the ending of the illegal South African occupation of the country and the achievement of independence. When the plan was implemented, New Zealand provided a 32-member police contingent to the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG). A Defence contingent of 12 engineers also went to Namibia. New Zealand has played an important role in the development of the orange roughy and other deepwater fisheries both in the Namibian Exclusive Economic Zone and adjacent seas. Sealord Products and Namibia have operated a joint venture, Gendor Fishing, since 1994.
New Zealand has also provided scientific and technical assistance through NZODA funded trips of a National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) scientist. New Zealand Post has previously been involved in the reform of the Namibian postal service and last year a New Zealand company spent five months providing software training nation-wide to Telecom Namibia. Namibia also has ongoing interest in learning from New Zealand’s public sector reform experience.
Trade is minimal. New Zealand's exports for the year to June 2007 were NZ$182,252 (skins and hides) and imports for the same period totalled NZ$41,900 (beer and malt).
New Zealand's Aid (NZAID) programmes in Namibia, as is the case in southern and eastern Africa, focus on education, primary and non-formal training, and rural development. Annual funding for the regional programme with Southern and East Africa is $3.57 million annually. Residents of Namibia are eligible to apply for New Zealand Development Scholarships.
Land Area - 824, 292 sq km - Population - 2 million (2006 EIU estimate) - Capital City - Windhoek - Religion - Christianity (90%), Judaism, Baha'ism
Political system - Unitary republic - National government - President and his appointed cabinet - National legislature - Bicameral: National Assembly (72 members elected by universal suffrage and serving a five year term); National Council (26 members nominated by 13 regional councils for a five year term). - Last election - November 2004 (legislative and presidential) - Next election due - 2009 (legislative and presidential) - Head of State - President Hifikepunye Pohamba, elected by universal suffrage but appointed by the National Assembly - Head of Government - Nahas Angula, Prime Minister.
GDP - US$ 6.4 billion (2005 EIU estimate) ) - Real GDP growth - 4.0% (2005 EIU estimate) - Exports fob - US$2.0 billion (2005 EIU estimate) - Imports fob - US-$2.3 billion (2005 estimate) - Main exports - Diamonds (35%), Prepared & preserved Fish (23%)(2000 EIU) - Main imports - Transport equipment (14%); Refined petroleum products (12%); Chemical products, rubber & plastic products (10%) (2005 EIU estimate) - Current account balance - US$529 million (2005 EIU estimate) - Inflation - 3.4% (2005 EIU) - Total external debt - US$1.2 billion (EIU 2005 estimate)
NZ Exports (FOB) - NZ$1.6 million (year ending December 2008)- Main Exports - wood (51%); engines and motors (31%); fish (8%) - NZ Imports (CIF) - NZ$142,074 (year ending December 2008) - Main Imports - Animal products (61%); beer (21%)
The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Namibia [external link].
