AfricaAsia NorthAsia South and SoutheastAustraliaEuropeAustriaBelgiumBulgariaCroatiaCyprusCzechDenmarkEstoniaEuropean UnionFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyKosovoLatviaLithuaniaMaltaNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSlovakiaSloveniaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUKLatin AmericaNorth AmericaPacific
Enter the country or territory for the information paper you want. (We do not have information papers on all countries.)
New Zealand and the Netherlands share many linkages. Many Dutch people are aware that their compatriots were the first Europeans to sight New Zealand, in 1642, and that New Zealand was named after the southern Dutch province of Zeeland.
New Zealand, along with Australia and Canada, was a favourite destination for Dutch immigrants after WW2. These immigrants were mainly from agricultural backgrounds and settled across the length and breadth of New Zealand. These family linkages, combined with an ongoing strong Dutch interest in New Zealand culture and scenery were principal reasons why around 23,000 tourists from the Netherlands visit New Zealand each year.
Trade between the Netherlands and New Zealand is moderate, but the Netherlands is the second largest European investor into New Zealand, reflecting its strong agricultural traditions and the presence in the Netherlands of some important multinationals (e.g. Shell, Unilever, and Rabobank). The Netherlands' strategic location within Europe, a population with strong language and entrepreneurial skills, quality infrastructure, and an open and outward looking economy combine to make it an attractive "Gateway to Europe" for New Zealand companies.top of page
Land Area 41,526 sq km
Population 16.7million (2011)
Capital City Amsterdam (The Hague is the seat of government)
Language Dutch, Frisian
Political system Constitutional Monarchy
National government Centre-right minority government of Liberals (VVD) and Christian Democrats (CDA)
National legislature Bi-cameral parliament
Last election June 2010
Next election due September 2012 (early due to Prime Minister Rutte's resignation)
Head of State Queen Beatrix (acceded to the throne in 1980)
Head of Government Prime Minister Mark Rutte (since October 2010)
GDP US$840.8 billion
Real GDP growth 0.3%
Exports
US$551.9 billion
Imports US$493.1 billion
Main exports Machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs
Current account balance US$65.7 billion
Inflation 2.3%
Unemployment 5.2%
NZ Exports (FOB) NZ$564 million
Main Exports sheep meat, apples, aluminium, seeds
NZ Imports (CIF) NZ$322 million
Main Imports food preparations, vehicles, medicaments and animal feed
The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to the Netherlands [external link].
