Switzerland

 

Bilateral relationship

New Zealand’s relationship with Switzerland is long-standing and friendly. The focus is principally on trade, consular affairs and investment possibilities for companies in both countries, which are committed to strengthening these relationships. Contact at the international level, in specialised agencies and organisations, is very high, and often aided by our respective roles as champions for small states. New Zealand and Switzerland see eye to eye on a range of multilateral issues such as environment, disarmament, UN reform and human rights. We value Switzerland’s perspective on international issues, and consider that in turn New Zealand can offer a unique insight into the Asia-Pacific region.

In February 1972 the Swiss Government accredited its first resident Ambassador to Wellington. In 1973 the New Zealand Government reciprocated by accrediting the New Zealand Ambassador in Bonn (now Berlin) to Switzerland, and 2013 will mark 50 years of Diplomatic Relations.

 

Key facts

Geography/Demographics

Land Area: 41,286 sq km
Population: 7.7 million (2011)
Capital City: Berne
Language: German (64%), French (20%), Italian (6.5%), Romansch (1%), others 8.5%

Political

Political system: Federal Republic, direct democracy
National government: Federal Council, consisting of seven members elected for a four year term by the Federal Assembly
National legislature: Bi-cameral Federal Assembly, consisting of the Council of States and National Council
Last election:October 2011
Next election due: Federal Assembly October 2015
Head of State: Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf (from 1 January 2012)

Economic (2010 est)

GDP: US$636.4 billion
Real GDP growth: 1.9 %
Exports: US$322 billion
Imports: US$317.5 billion
Main exports: Chemicals, machinery, watches, metals
Current account balance: US$74.1 billion
Inflation: 0.2%
Unemployment: 3.1 %

New Zealand Trade (year ended December 2011)

NZ Exports (FOB): NZ$87 million
Main Exports: Sheep meat, venison, essential oils, medical instruments, machinery, pharmaceutical products
NZ Imports (CIF): NZ$366 million
Main Imports: Pharmaceuticals, medical instruments, turbo-jets or propellers, clocks/watches, precious steels/metals, electrical machinery.

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Visits

New Zealand Ministerial Visits to Switzerland

 

• Hon Tim Groser, Minister of Trade, April 2011 made bilateral calls
• Hon Christopher Finlayson, Attorney-General, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, November 2010 made a bilateral trip to Switzerland
• Rt Hon Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs made a bilateral trip to Switzerland in June 2006
• New Zealand Ministers and officials regularly visit Geneva for UN Agency, WTO and related meetings

Swiss Ministerial visits to New Zealand

• Paschal Couchepin, FDP and Minister of Health, in October 2006
• President of the Swiss National Council (the equivalent of New Zealand's Speaker) in October 1993
• Jean Pascal Delamuraz, Federal Councillor, FDP in 1988

 

Representation

• The New Zealand Ambassador to Germany [external link] is accredited to Switzerland. There is a New Zealand Consulate-General in Geneva.
• Embassy of Switzerland Wellington. There is a Swiss Consulate in Auckland.

 

Travel advice

The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Switzerland [external link].

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