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The Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement is a model free trade agreement. As the first trade agreement with a membership spanning Asia, Oceania and the Americas, the Trans-Pacific Agreement bridges the Asia-Pacific Region. More
Reaffirming a strong Friendship 2 July 2008
Foreign Minister Winston Peters speaks to the US Embassy's 4th of July Celebrations. Read the speech
New Zealand places great store on its relationship with the United States. Both countries share a deep and longstanding friendship based on a common heritage, shared values and interests, and a commitment to promoting a free, democratic, secure and prosperous world. Both governments collaborate in a wide range of positive and productive ways. There is close cooperation in Antarctica and on Antarctic and Southern Ocean issues including safeguarding the environment, scientific research into key issues including climate change, and supporting the Antarctic Treaty system. New Zealand and the United States are working increasingly closely on issues of instability, insecurity and governance in the Pacific. Both countries have common interests in countering terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the Asia-Pacific region and further afield.
As the world’s largest, most complex and technically advanced economy the United States is a key economic partner for New Zealand. The US is an important source of innovation, research and investment, and is a key market for New Zealand goods and services. The United States is New Zealand’s second largest individual export market and third largest source of imports. It is also a major source of foreign direct investment and inbound tourism. New Zealand co-operates with the United States to free up barriers to international trade, through the WTO and regionally through APEC.
Prime Minister Helen Clark visited the United States in March 2007. Her itinerary included Washington D.C., Chicago and Seattle. The Prime Minister’s visit to Washington D.C marked, and further consolidated, an improved relationship between New Zealand and the United States. One of the key outcomes of the visit was confirmation that while the nuclear issue remains a point of difference, it should not inhibit cooperation where both countries’ interests coincide nor should it overshadow the broader relationship. This outcome was the result of a conscious effort on the part of both governments to strengthen the bilateral relationship.
The strength of the bilateral relationship was further underscored by the visit to New Zealand in July 2008 by US Secretary of State, Dr Condoleezza Rice. In addition to the bilateral relationship and the South Pacific, discussions with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister covered a range of regional and international issues including Fiji, Afghanistan, North Korea, the Middle East and Zimbabwe. Following her visit to New Zealand, Secretary Rice, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, travelled to Samoa for a meeting with Pacific leaders. NZ-US Council [external link]
Cooperation on Pacific issues, relating primarily to stability and economic development, is an area of increasing dialogue and cooperation between New Zealand and the United States. The United States has long standing links with the region, notably from its presence during the Second World War, as well as through its ties with the Compact States in Micronesia, American Samoa [external link] and Hawaii. New Zealand welcomed the US Administration's decision to designate 2007 as "The Year of the Pacific" and to expand its footprint across the region.
The United States is a valued contributor to the Pacific Islands Forum dialogue partner process, and it has considerable development expertise and resources to help the region address its challenges.
New Zealand and the United States cooperate closely in operations in Antarctica and in the Antarctic Treaty System. New Zealand and the United States celebrated 50 years of Antarctic Cooperation [external link] at Scott Base and McMurdo Station on 20 January 2007.
New Zealand and the United States were amongst the 12 original signatories to the 1959 Antarctic Treaty and are both Consultative Parties to that treaty. We work together to ensure that Antarctica remains “a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science.” (Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty). Prior to this, under an Exchange of Notes in 1958, New Zealand agreed to make available certain facilities in New Zealand requested by the United States authorities for US activities in Antarctica. The United States in turn agreed to provide logistics support for New Zealand operations in Antarctica. This formed the basis for the joint logistics pool.
New Zealand and the United States cooperate closely in the Antarctic Treaty System on many issues, including on environmental management, combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and in promoting the development of a framework to underpin a future network of marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean. New Zealand and the United States also have a history of close collaboration in Antarctic research, including most recently in a range of International Polar Year projects such as the Antarctic Drilling Project and Census of Antarctic Marine Life, in which a scientist from the United States took part in New Zealand's 35-day voyage into the Ross Sea to study marine biodiversity and habitats on New Zealand's research vessel, Tangaroa.
New Zealand - United States economic relations cover the spectrum of commercial activity including the flow of goods, services and capital across all major economic sectors from traditional heavy manufacturing to agriculture. Newer areas of the knowledge economy are also prominent as New Zealand firms and institutions seek to commercialise their IP in sectors such as ICT, biotech and clean technology.
The United States is the largest economy in the world, with over 270 million consumers with a very high average income. The United States is New Zealand's second largest individual export destination, third largest source of imports and is a major source of foreign direct investment and inbound tourism. Detailed figures on New Zealand/United States trade can be found under Trade Access.
Although the US is already a significant trading partner for New Zealand, much scope remains to expand at relationship. Securing a free trade agreement negotiation with the United States has been a key New Zealand trade objective for more than a decade.
The announcement of the United States’ full participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, and more recently Australia Peru and Viet Nam’s indication they would like to participate, represent a significant milestone in New Zealand’s relationship with the United States and also in terms of our strategic positioning within the wider Asia-Pacific region.
The expansion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership to include the US will remove barriers to New Zealand exports over time, expand two-way trade and investment, level the playing field for New Zealand with our competitors in the US market and enhance our shared goal of trade and economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region.
The United States is New Zealand’s most important individual country market for agricultural exports. Our major agricultural exports to the US are beef, dairy products and lamb, with horticultural products increasing in importance. In return, the US is New Zealand’s second-largest source of agricultural imports, behind Australia. Our top three agricultural imports from the US are animal feed, fruit and nuts, and prepared food products, such as ready made sauces. New Zealand also imports a number of farm-related products from the US, including farm machinery, animal feed, fertiliser and insecticides.
There is excellent cooperation between New Zealand and the United States on agricultural issues – both in terms of policy matters and research and commercial partnerships. New Zealand officials are seeking to expand their relationship with the US Department of Agriculture with a focus on increasing cooperation in agricultural food technology and biotechnology research. A Joint symposium between New Zealand researchers and the US Agricultural Research Service on agriculture and wetlands is planned for June 2009.
Business and other Councils
Founded in 1986 and based in Washington DC, the US NZ Council [external link] is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organisation that aims to strengthen bilateral relations. The Council's central focus is the promotion of economic and commercial ties, and cultural exchange. It works closely with the New Zealand Embassy in Washington [external link] in the areas of information dissemination, event promotion and strengthening of US-NZ linkages. It has strong ties with the Administration, Congress and business. The focus of the Council’s activity is on the promotion of free trade between the US and NZ.
The NZ US Council [external link] and American Chamber of Commerce [external link] , fulfil counterpart roles in New Zealand. They have both been very active in their partnership with the US NZ Council.
The second United States New Zealand Partnership Forum was held in Auckland September 2007. The Forum was characterised by strong satisfaction on both sides with recent constructive developments in the relationship and optimism for the future. The 2009 Partnership Forum will be hosted by the US NZ Council in Washington, 6-8 October. A delegation of around 30 political, government and business leaders are expected to attend from New Zealand.
Goods
In the year to December 2008, New Zealand exported $4.38 billion (est) worth of merchandise to the US. New Zealand’s top three exports to the US were beef, dairy and wood products. Other major exports include sheep meat, wine and aluminium. A number of new and innovative NZ companies now operate in the US market, including from new and emerging sectors such as ICT, agritech, health–related services and technology.
Over the same period New Zealand imported $4.6 billion (est) worth of merchandise from the US. In that period, aircraft were our top import from the US, followed by aircraft parts, medical or veterinary instruments, motor vehicles and computers.
Services
Headed by the increasingly valuable tourism flows, trade in services between NZ and the US also is significant. In the year to March 2008, there were 222,757US visitors to New Zealand, making the United States New Zealand’s third largest source of short term visitors. Short-term US visitors spent $627 million in New Zealand in the year to March 2008, making the US the third largest source of tourist expenditure.
Investment
New Zealand and the US have a well-founded investment partnership. The US is New Zealand's second largest source and destination of Foreign Direct Investment (after Australia). In March 2007, US investment in New Zealand totalled $41.5 billion (16.3 percent of total foreign investment in New Zealand). New Zealand investment in the US totalled NZ$ 26.5 billion (23.9 percent of total overseas investment). Portfolio investment accounts for a large proportion of this investment. Our outward foreign direct investment into the US was estimated at around NZ$1.8 billion (9.5 % of total outward FDI) in March 2007. The US is estimated as contributing NZ$ 10.5 billion inward FDI (11.6 % of the total). Major US corporate investors include Global Forest Partners, Hancock, Harvard Management Company, (all in the forestry sector), Pratt & Whitney and Lockheed Martin. Investors in the film industry include Walden Media, NBC Universal and Disney. Major New Zealand investors in the US include Fisher and Paykel Appliances, who manufacture white-ware and outdoor cooking equipment in the US, and Fonterra. Fletcher Building has acquired the large US company Formica. Nuplex and a number of smaller privately-owned New Zealand companies such as Tiger Turf have also invested in manufacturing capability in the US.
The US is also the largest source and target for Venture Capital and Angle investment and is therefore likely to be increasingly important as New Zealand seeks to commercialise an increasing portion of its intellectual property.
Trade access concerns
There are very few bilateral trade difficulties. New Zealand concerns are largely systemic and relate to US agricultural policy (e.g. import tariff quota restrictions on dairy products). Access to the restricted US government procurement market is also important for a growing number of NZ companies. The US has raised concerns with New Zealand around investment screening, the New Zealand pharmaceuticals regime and the regulation of intellectual property rights. We would expect all of these issues to be addressed in the context of the TransPacific Partnership initiative.
In the post 9/11 era, there is greater interaction between New Zealand and the United States on security related issues both bilaterally and through common involvement in multilateral security initiatives. While bilateral defence cooperation remains an area where limitations relating to the nuclear issue preclude a restoration of full military ties, there has been increasing interaction between New Zealand and United States military forces on overseas operations.
New Zealand has contributed New Zealand Defence Force personnel to Afghanistan, including New Zealand special forces, and has participated in patrolling maritime areas in the Middle East as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. This includes the deployment of RNZAF P-3K Orions and RNZN frigates. The New Zealand Special Air Services (SAS), operating as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, has completed three rotations in Afghanistan. The major deployment to Afghanistan remains the provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in Bamyan province (under NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) command). New Zealand is focusing its attention on peace and stability, including through support to the Afghan police and army. NZDF also has staff officers in ISAF and UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) headquarters. Other areas of focus include health, education, and agriculture. The United States, through ISAF, provides logistic and in-extremis support to the PRT. Additional contributions (such as the deployment of medical specialists to Kandahar) are evidence of New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to achieving success in Afghanistan.
Both countries have worked more closely, in particular, on issues related to countering terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). New Zealand has been an active participant in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), a US-led effort that aims to respond to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), their delivery systems, and related materials – while also maintaining consistency with relevant international and national legal requirements. These aim to establish a coordinated and effective basis through which to stop shipments of WMD, delivery systems and related materials flowing to and from states and non-state actors of proliferation concern.
New Zealand and the United States share concerns regarding the nuclear programmes of North Korea and Iran. New Zealand has implemented the United Nations Security Council Resolutions related to both countries. New Zealand has been a strong supporter of the Six Party Talks on North Korea and welcomes the progress being made in that forum.
There are a large number of New Zealanders who have chosen to live in the United States. Such individuals are often highly educated and have reached significant positions of influence and therefore provide a valuable network and source of ideas, expertise and contacts for New Zealand. New Zealand embassies and network of honorary consuls, along with a number of private associations and organisations such as Kea [external link] seek to maintain networks of New Zealand expats and maintain their valuable links with New Zealand.
The US is a regular destination for New Zealand cultural groups and artists. Maori performance group Kahurangi are based part time in the US and tour extensively. There is a growing affinity between Maori and First nations peoples which form the bases of valuable cultural exchanges. The US is the focus for many other New Zealand artists and performers particularly in the film, music, and digital arts. New Zealand comedy duo Flight of the Concords have proved a huge hit in the US winning numerous public and industry plaudits.
New Zealand continues to develop its education links with the United States. The linkages between New Zealand and United States educational institutes is key to achieving New Zealand’s international education goals. There is a long history of university to university links. All New Zealand universities [external link] have four or more active partner institutions in the United States. These typically involve student exchange and study abroad agreements, opportunities for staff exchange, and collaboration in research. Participation in each other’s education and research programmes facilitate technology and information transfer and help to strengthen the New Zealand constituency in the United States.
The Fulbright Programme is highly regarded as one of the most prestigious academic exchange programmes in the world and is strongly supported by the New Zealand Government.
Fulbright New Zealand [external link] runs education exchange programmes between New Zealand and the United States, including: the Fulbright graduate programme, Fulbright senior scholar programme, Ian Axford (NZ) Fellowships in Public Policy, Harkness Fellowships, Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships, Kennedy Fellowships and the Platinum Triangle Scholarship for Entrepreneurship. Fulbright also supports teaching and research in New Zealand Studies at Georgetown University.
Fulbright provides New Zealanders and Americans with the opportunity to experience each other's countries and make contacts that will endure beyond their time of study. These connections and experiences are not only of benefit to the scholars but are integral to the strength of the relationship New Zealand has with the United States.
The New Zealand Government has established a US/NZ Education Agenda to promote active dialogue and collaboration between the New Zealand Ministry of Education [external link] and the US Federal Education Department [external link] . New Zealand continues to be actively engaged with the US/NZ Education Policy Round Table and associated research projects in conjunction with the Consortium for Policy Research in Education [external link].
Immigration
New Zealand is a member of the United States Visa Waiver programme that allows eligible travellers to travel to the United States for travel of business for up to 90 days without a visa. In 2008 the US Department of Homeland Security announced implementation of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) [external link] which is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they travel under the visa waiver programme. It is now mandatory for visa waiver programme travellers to submit an ESTA application prior to travel to the US.
New Zealand operates a Working Holiday Scheme which allows up to 5000 US citizens per year, between the ages of 18 and 30, to live and work in New Zealand.
The United States is New Zealand’s most important bilateral research and technology partner. Around 40 percent of New Zealand researchers have collaborative projects with US counterparts – more than with any other country. New Zealand has an umbrella government-to-government Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement with the US Government which acts as a platform for co-operation.
Both countries are seeking to build on established science and technology links to expand dialogue and co-operation in two emerging issues of importance to both countries: climate change and sustainability. The NZ-US Climate Change Partnership was launched in 2003. This partnership covers basic climate change science, developing new technologies, greenhouse gas accounting, public education, assistance to developing countries, and engagement with business. Since the partnership, more than 30 joint scientific projects have been undertaken.
We exchange views on policy issues and look to work together on research that will result in new technologies to assist us with these challenges. For example New Zealand and United States scientists and the US Department of Energy are working on the potential of carbon dioxide capture in New Zealand’s geological strata.
New Zealand and the United States are also co-operating to measure the environmental impact of economic activities and promote more sustainable practices. One area is water sustainability and the New Zealand National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research and the US Geological Survey are working closely together on the science behind issues such as water allocation, water quality, and the economic and human costs of floods and droughts.
New Zealand and the United States have also worked on two particular sustainability issues in the current World Trade Organisation negotiations. One is the effort to free up trade in environmental goods and services, where average tariffs exceed 15 per cent globally. The market for these goods and services is roughly the same size as those for information technology or pharmaceuticals, so the commercial case is clear. But there are obviously also considerable environmental benefits from making these goods and services cheaper and more widely available. New Zealand and the United States also work closely together on our shared goal of creating sustainable fisheries.
New Zealand universities are increasingly building their links into the United States whether it be by connecting with US institutions, their alumni or encouraging international student exchanges.
Many relationships exist between cities in New Zealand and the United States. These provide valuable frameworks for further cooperation and encouraging people to people links through cultural, education and other exchanges. Increasingly these relationships are based on mutual economic benefit rather than purely cultural exchange.
The USA is New Zealand's third largest market in terms of both visitor arrivals and expenditure after Australia and the UK.
The US market has been soft in recent months due to the economic situation in the USA firming of airfares and fuel surcharges on various tourism activities is also affecting arrivals.
In the year to March 2009, while the US remained its ranking in terms of our key markets for inbound tourism, visitor numbers were down 8.8% over the last twelve months and expenditure was down 7.5%.
Connectivity will increase dramatically from 2010 onwards when Air New Zealand takes delivery of the long-range 787 Dreamliner, and this could lead to a surge in US visitors to New Zealand.
There are numerous official contacts between New Zealand and the United States, which provide the opportunity for high-level discussions and the continued development of bilateral relations. Ministers regularly meet with their US counterparts at international meetings and events. High Level visits between the United States and New Zealand take place several times a year. The highlight of those visits in the last two years were the Prime Minister’s visit to the US in 2007 and the subsequent visit to New Zealand by US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, in July 2008. These visits are a reflection of the very good state of New Zealand’s relationship with the United States.
Hon Pete Hodgson in his capacities as Minister of Research, Science and Technology and Minister of Economic Development visited the United States from 16 – 20 June. He spent 17 June in Golden, Colorado, visiting the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and two associated companies commercialising biofuel and solar technology. From 18-20 June the Minister was in San Diego for the annual BIO Conference.
The Minister of Trade, Defence, and Disarmament and Arms Control, Hon Phil Goff, visited Washington DC 9-10 June. Mr Goff met with senior Administration officials Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer and Deputy Secretary of Defence Gordon England. He also presented Deputy Secretary England with a replica of the commemorative Erebus medal and citation and thanked him for US military assistance (from personnel from McMurdo base) at the time of the tragedy.
Mr Goff’s visit enabled him to engage interlocutors on the US trade agenda for the remainder of the current Administration, particularly prospects for the Doha Round. He also encouraged the Administration’s interest in the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic partnership (P4) and its efforts to promote it with Congress. On Capitol Hill Mr Goff had meetings with Senate Finance Committee chair Max Baucus (D-MT), House Ways and Means Committee chair Charles Rangel (D-NY), and Friends of New Zealand Caucus co-chairs Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Ellen Tauscher (D-CA), along with other members of the Caucus and staffers who have visited or work with New Zealand. Mr Goff gave an address at the Peterson Institute for International Economics on Evolving Asia Pacific Regionalism: Opportunities and Challenges [external link], and attended New Zealand Trade and Enterprises's annual reception.
While in Washington Mr Goff also met key advisors to the Presidential election campaigns for McCain, Richard Armitage; and Obama, Dan Tarullo.
Hon Rick Barker, Minister of Veterans Affairs, Civil Defence and Emergency management, and Courts, visited Washington D.C. from 29 April – 2 May to attend a Veterans Affairs Conference and to make calls on officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Associate Minister of Energy and Minister for Transport Safety, Hon Harry Duynhoven, led the New Zealand delegation to the 2008 Washington International Renewable Energy Conference held 4-6 March in Washington, DC.
Delegate Eni Faleomavaega, At Large Representative for American Samoa enjoyed a successful visit to New Zealand as Guest of Government from 3- 6 February. In Wellington the Congressman called on the Hon Winnie Laban and the Hon David Parker. He then travelled to Auckland, where he was guest of the Minister of Foreign Affairs at Waitangi and met the Governor General, Prime Minister, Hon Nanaia Mahuta and Hon Parekura Horomia, along with the Leader of the National Party and Pansy Wong, MP.
Four senior US Congressional Delegations (House Science and Technology, Senate Intelligence, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and House Majority Whip James Clyburn) visited New Zealand during January and February 2008, reflecting the growing interest in New Zealand in Washington. United States Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, Dr Paula Dobriansky, also visited New Zealand in January 2008. Dobriansky’s visit followed a separate visit she had made the week before to Antarctica, along with a number of other US officials and representatives, to participate in the opening of the refurbished United States base facilities at the South Pole.
In January 2007 the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Helen Clark, and Sir Edmund Hillary travelled to Antarctica to celebrate 50 years of Antarctica cooperation between New Zealand and the United States [external link] . Senior US officials also travelled to Antarctica to participate in the NZ/US anniversary celebrations.
The Prime Minister visited Washington D.C., Chicago and Seattle over the period 19-24 March 2007. Her two-day visit to Washington D.C. included a meeting and lunch at the White House with President George W Bush and meetings other senior Administration officials and Congressional contacts. While in Washington, the Prime Minister announced that New Zealand would contribute to a North Korea energy assistance package and provide funding for a US-led G8 Global Partnership initiative aimed at combating the smuggling of nuclear and radioactive materials. She also made a major speech at the Asia Society [external link] , which covered New Zealand’s bilateral relationship with the United States and regional political, economic and security matters.
In Chicago, she met with senior corporate figures from major US companies including Boeing and McDonalds and made a speech on global trade issues. She also visited the Field Museum, during which the museum announced that it would be returning the remains of fourteen Maori to New Zealand. In Seattle, she met with Washington State Governor, Christine Gregoire, business executives from Microsoft and delivered a speech which focused on sustainability and climate change.
Minister of Trade, Defence, and Disarmament and Arms Control Hon Phil Goff, also travelled to the United States in May 2007. Mr Goff met with senior Administration officials and Congressional and business contacts. The Minister delivered an address on the outlook for the Doha Round and witnessed the signing of an agreement for New Zealand’s third contribution to the G8 Global Partnership for the disposal of Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard visited Boston in May 2007 to attend BIO 2007. The Minister also made business and investment calls in Boston and New York, the objectives of which were to help forge better business connections, to promote New Zealand to US financial and investment contacts and to discuss international economic trends.
The Leader of the Opposition, accompanied by the Hon Murray McCully and Tim Groser MP made an official visit to Washington in June 2007, meeting a range of Administration, Congressional and business contacts.
Hon Parekura Horomia, Minister of Maori Affairs, visited Chicago, Seattle and Anchorage in April 2007.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rt Hon Winston Peters visited Washington D.C. in November 2007 for meetings with senior US Administration officials following his visit to the DPRK. He had a lunch meeting with Secretary of State Dr Condoleezza Rice and also met with Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, and the US National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Rt Hon Winston Peters visited Washington DC in July 2006. Minister of Defence and Minister of Trade, Hon Phil Goff, and Minister of Immigration Hon David Cunliffe visited Washington DC in April 2006. Minister Goff and Economic Development Minister Mallard visited California in January and March 2006. New Zealand Minister of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, Hon Rick Barker, visited Washington DC in November 2006. Hon Peter Hodgson, Minister of Health, travelled to Boston and Washington DC in October 2006.
There were a number of American high-level visits to New Zealand in 2006. Senators John McCain (R-Arizona), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Susan Collins (R-Maine), and John Sununu (R-New Hampshire) visited New Zealand in January 2006. General John Abizaid, Commander US Central Command, visited New Zealand in February and Admiral William J. Fallon, Commander, US Pacific Command, visited in January 2006.
Congressman Sherwood Boelhert (R-New York) also led a House Science Committee delegation to New Zealand in January 2006. The delegation included Lincoln Davis (D-Tennessee), Bob Inglis (R-North Carolina), Brad Miller (D-North Carolina), Ben Chandler (D-Kentucky), R (Bud) Cramer (D-Alabama), Phil Gingery (R-Georgia), Darlene Hooley (D-Oregon), Jim Costa (D-California), and Roscoe Bartlett (R-Maryland)
Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific Chris Hill visited Wellington in March 2006. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson visited Auckland in April 2006. Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire visited Auckland in May 2006. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Glyn Davies visited Wellington in August 2006.
Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Hon Phil Goff, Customs Minister Barker and Economic Development and Forestry Minister Hon Jim Anderton made separate visits to the US in May. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Margaret Wilson, led a parliamentary delegation to Washington DC and Philadelphia in late April 2005. The Associate Minister of Finance, Hon Trevor Mallard, visited Washington DC for the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in early April 2005.
Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns visited New Zealand in September. Congressman Jim Kolbe (Republican, Arizona), co-Chair of the Friends of New Zealand Caucus in the House of Representatives, also visited in 2005.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Hon Michael Cullen visited Washington DC in September. Other Ministerial visits in 2004 included Minister of Health, Hon Annette King; Minister for Trade Negotiations, Hon Jim Sutton; Minister of Energy, Hon Pete Hodgson; and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hon Phil Goff.
There were a number of American high-level visits to New Zealand in 2004. In December, US Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) visited New Zealand for the Parliamentarians for Global Action Conference in Wellington. In November, US Senator Max Baucus (D-Montana) led a business delegation from Montana to New Zealand. Also, in November, a delegation of Californian State Senators visited New Zealand.
In August, US Senator Richard Shelby (R-Alabama) and Congressman Robert Cramer (D-Alabama) visited New Zealand and in March, the Governor of Iowa, Thomas Vilsack, led a biotechnology trade delegation from his state to New Zealand. A Congressional Delegation of six Republican Senators, led by Senator Don Nickles (R-Oklahoma), visited New Zealand in January.
New Zealand Ministerial visits to the United States included: Minister of Police, George Hawkins; Associate Minister of Agriculture, Damien O’Connor; Minister of State, David Cunliffe; The Minister of Education and Associate Minister of Finance, Trevor Mallard; Minister for Research, Science and Technology, Pete Hodgson and the Minister of Health, Annette King.
US visitors included Under-Secretary for Regulatory Programs, Bill Hawks, Under-Secretary for Commerce Grant Aldonas and Under-Secretary of State for International Security and Arms Control, John Bolton. A US delegation also visited Auckland for the 34th Pacific Islands Forum, where the US was a dialogue partner.
The Prime Minister, Rt Hon Helen Clark, made two visits to the United States in 2002. Other Ministerial visits included Deputy Prime Minister Dr Michael Cullen, Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon Phil Goff and Minister for Trade Negotiations Jim Sutton.
| Official Name | United States of America |
| Land Area | 9, 631, 418 sq km (includes US territories) |
| Population | 300 million (March 2007 est.) www.census.gov |
| Capital City | Washington DC |
| Religion | Predominantly Christian; large Jewish minority |
| Language | English (official, 82.1%); large Spanish-speaking minority (10.7%) |
| Exchange Rate | 1 NZ $ = 0.57 US cents (March 2009) |
POLITICAL
| Political system | Federal Republic comprising a Federal Government, 50 State Governments and one district (District of Colombia). |
| National government | Executive Branch led by President Barack Obama (Democratic Party). Legislative Branch (Congress) comprising the House of Representatives and the US Senate (both are controlled by the Democratic Party). |
| National legislature | Bicameral legislature (Congress) comprises: Senate of 100 members; and House of Representatives of 435 members. Senators are elected for a six-year term on a first-past-the-post electoral system. House representatives are elected under a first-past-the-post system for a two-year term. |
| Last elections | 4 November 2008: President, House of Representatives, One third of the Senate |
| Next election | 2 November 2010: House of Representatives, one third of the Senate November 2012: President |
| Head of State | President: Barack Obama (since 20 January 2009) |
| Significant Administration Members | Vice-President: Joseph Biden |
| Main political parties | Democratic Party, Republican Party. Smaller parties include the Green Party and the Reform Party - neither of which are represented in Congress. |
ECONOMIC
| GDP | US$14.26 trillion (2008 est) |
| GDP – composition by sector | Services (78.3%); Industry (20.7%); Agriculture (1%) |
| GDP per capita | US$46,946 (2008 est) |
| Real GDP growth | 1.1% (2008) |
| Main exports | Capital goods (40.%); industrial supplies (25.6%); consumer goods (12.8%); automotive goods (10.8%); |
| Trade deficit | -US$795 billion (2008 est) |
| Current account balance | -US$692.5 billion (2008) |
| Unemployment | 5.8% (2008) |
Source: EIU Country Report, January 2008
NEW ZEALAND TRADE WITH THE US
| NZ Exports (FOB) | NZ$4.38 billion (year to December 2008- est) |
| Top ten exports by value | Frozen beef (17.6%); casein (10.6%); whey and products (8.16%); sheep-meat (4.98%); wine (4.2%); timber (3.55%); butter and milk fat (2.51%); crude oil (2.33%); mechano-therapy appliances (2.25%); unwrought aluminium (1.92%) |
| NZ Imports (CIF) | NZ$4.6 billion (year to December 2008 -est) |
| Top ten imports by value | Aircraft (10.6%); aircraft parts (4.67%); medical or vet instruments (3.5%); motor vehicles (3.23%); computers (2.16%); mechanical appliances for water dispersion (1.99%); turbojets and propellers (1.88%); petroleum coke (1.56%); telephone equipment (1.49%); office machinery parts (1.35%) |
Source: Statistics New Zealand
New Zealand Embassy in Washington
NZ Consulates-General in Los Angeles and New York.
There are New Zealand Honorary Consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Honolulu, Houston, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle.
United States Embassy in Wellington
US Consulate-General in Auckland
US Commercial Offices in Wellington and Auckland.
The Safe Travel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to the United States [external link].
