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Diplomatic relations between New Zealand and the Maldives were announced on 10 October 1974.
The Maldives is a traditional Islamic society, with a strong central Government. There are no political parties or trade unions. The President and Foreign Minister are both long serving. The Maldives has traditionally been a subsistence economy with few resources and low per capita income, based largely on fishing and tourism. The expanding tourism industry underpins economic growth and is the Maldives main employer and source of revenue.
New Zealand has a useful relationship with the Maldives. A small number of Maldivians have been educated in New Zealand under NZODA or Commonwealth scholarships. Many also have family links with New Zealand. Consequently, New Zealand has a reasonably high profile with members of the Maldivian Government. The Maldivians take a close interest in New Zealand’s positions in the Commonwealth, the Pacific Island Forum, and in the United Nations, and our support for small island states.
The Maldives offers good prospects for New Zealand because of its tourism industry. The Maldives receives almost half a million tourists a year, mainly from Europe and Japan. Nearly all the food and other supplies (except fish) to cater for these tourists are imported, mainly via Singapore. New Zealand companies have won some large construction projects and feasibility studies, and supplied services or products for the refurbishment of island resorts.top of page
Land Area - 300 sq km - Population - 276,000 - Capital City - Male' - Religion - Sunni Muslim - Language - Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, a script derived from Arabic). English spoken by most government officials.
Political system - Republic with a parliamentary-styled government - National legislature - Comprises the President and a unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats - 42 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by President) - Last election - 22 January 2005 - Next election due - January 2010 - Head of State - President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (elected since1978) - Head of Government - President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (the president is both the Head of State and Head of Government)
GDP* - US$624 million (2004) -
GDP Per Capita* - US$2,261 (2004) -
Real GDP Growth* - 5.0% (2004) -
Exports** - US$91 million (FOB, 2003) -
Imports** - US$500 million (FOB, 2003) -
Main exports - Fish and fish products, garments -
Main imports - Oil, textiles & yarn, rice, cigarettes, cement, engines for boats, television, aircraft parts, prefabricated buildings, vegetables
*Figures from International Monetary Fund
**Current figures unavailable
NZ Exports (FOB)* - NZ$13.97 million for year ended December 2004; Products: fruits, forestry & forestry products, wood -
NZ Imports (CIF)* - NZ$370 for year ended Dec 2004 (Figures for 2002 and 2003 are NZ$15,391 and NZ$76,061 respectively)
*Figures from Statistics New Zealand
A number of Maldivian Government Ministers have visited New Zealand over the years, the most recent being the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Mohamed Hussain, in February 2002, and the Minister of Health, Ahmed Abdullah, in November 2001. The most recent visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fathulla Jameel, was for CHOGM in November 1995. The Maldivian President, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, has visited New Zealand only once, briefly transiting Auckland in October 1982 after attending CHOGM in Suva.
The most recent senior level visits from New Zealand to the Maldives include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Don McKinnon, in July 1999, and the Governor General, Sir Michael Hardie-Boys, in April 1998.
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The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Maldives [external link].
