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New Zealand maintains formal diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe from Pretoria, while Zimbabwe maintains diplomatic relations from Canberra. Overall, however, New Zealand’s bilateral relationship with Zimbabwe has been severely constrained by the actions of President Robert Mugabe and his government, in particular ongoing abuses of human rights, and mismanagement of Zimbabwe’s economy.
In April 2002 the New Zealand Government put in place targeted sanctions against the Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe. The principal measure was a ban on travel to New Zealand by 20 key members of the Zimbabwe Government and administration, including President Mugabe. The list was updated in February 2006 to include spouses of senior members of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), Zimbabwe Electoral Commission senior constituency officers, officials involved in Operation Murambatsvina (Clear out Rubbish), and business people who have profited from the Mugabe regime. A total of 249 people associated with the Mugabe leadership currently appear on New Zealand’s list. In July 2005 New Zealand instigated a ban on all sporting teams representing Zimbabwe, at any level, from entering New Zealand (except those teams which New Zealand did not have a say in playing here). Most recently, a ban has been implemented on study in New Zealand by any Zimbabwean adult children of those individuals subject to a travel ban.
New Zealand’s trading relationship with Zimbabwe is small. To the year ended June 2007, New Zealand exported $214,159 worth of goods, mainly bulbs and seeds. For the same period, New Zealand imported $721,635 worth of goods. Leguminous vegetables and tobacco making up most of the total imports.
Since Zimbabwe’s people are in very significant need at present, New Zealand has not imposed any sanctions on overseas development assistance to Zimbabwe, and works closely with in-country NGOs and multilateral agencies with a focus on rural livelihoods, basic education and HIV/AIDs.Since the middle of 2005, New Zealand’s aid has totalled $2.56 million. New Zealand has also contributed $2.6 million to the World Food Programme's Southern Africa Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO), which is active in famine prevention in Zimbabwe.
Land Area - 390,580 sq km - Population - 13 million (2006 estimate) - Capital City - Harare - Religion - Christianity, Traditional African Beliefs, Judaism, Bahá'í Faith - Languages - English (official), Shona, Ndebele and local dialects
Political system - Unitary Republic - National government - The President and his appointed cabinet. Ruling party: Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). - National legislature - House of Assembly with 150 members, 120 of whom represent geographical constituencies and are elected by universal adult suffrage every five years; 8 are provincial governors, 10 are customary chiefs and 12 others are appointed by the President. A Senate of 66 members was established in November 2005 - Last election - March 2002 (presidential), March 2005 (legislative) and November 2005 (Senate) - Next election due - The next elections are provisionally scheduled for March 2008 (presidential) and March 2010 (legislative). - Head of State - President, elected by universal suffrage for a six-year term. - Head of Government - President Robert Mugabe
GDP - US$4.19 billion (2006 EIU estimate) - Real GDP growth - -4.4% (2006 EIU estimate) - Exports - US$1.717 billion (2006 EIU estimate) - Imports - US$2.040 billion (2006 EIU estimate 2005) - Main exports - Tobacco, gold - Main imports (2004): Fuels, chemicals - Inflation - over 8000% per annum - Current account balance - US$-297.8 million - Gross external debt - US$5.3 billion.
NZ Exports (FOB) - NZ$92,546 (to year ended December 2008) - Main Exports – Seeds, fruits and spores (60%); transmission apparatus for broadcasting (17%) - NZ Imports (CIF) - NZ$442,493 (to year ended December 2008) - Main Imports - Leguminous vegetables (34%); vegetables (10%); (tobacco (9%)
There has been no high level contact between New Zealand and Zimbabwe since 1999.
New Zealand provided two election observers to the Zimbabwe elections in June 2000 and March 2002.
The Minister of Immigration has approved a Special Zimbabwe Residence Policy for Zimbabwean nationals who arrived in New Zealand on or before 23 September 2004, and who are not eligible for residence under existing residence policies. This policy expired at the end of February 2007. For more information go to the following link:
Special Zimbabwe Residence Policy (external link to Immigration Website)
The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Zimbabwe [external link].
