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Glossary
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the Ministry) is responsible for protecting and promoting New Zealand’s interests overseas.
Our Ministers
The Ministry works for Ministers in four portfolio areas: Foreign Affairs, Trade, Disarmament and Arms Control, and International Climate Change Negotiations.
As part of the Foreign Affairs portfolio, we are responsible for the delivery of the New Zealand Aid Programme.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs is responsible for overseeing the Government’s ownership interest in the Ministry.
We administer two votes on behalf of the Minister: Vote Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Vote Official Development Assistance.
Our Vision and Mission
Our Vision is to give New Zealand an edge internationally.
Our Mission is to create the conditions for New Zealand to thrive and to make its mark as a global citizen by:
being in the right places at the right time to actively drive new opportunities for New Zealand as well as to manage threats
building connections at home and internationally that enable us to achieve more than we could alone
taking a distinctly New Zealand approach, reflecting our diversity, and heritage of integrity in foreign affairs
maintaining the highest standards of professional excellence in diplomacy, trade negotiations, international development and consular services.
Our role
The Ministry is the Government’s lead source of advice on foreign and trade policy, on international climate change negotiations, diplomatic and consular issues, and on international development assistance.
We are charged by Government with ensuring that New Zealand’s voice is heard abroad, that our security and economic interests are advanced and protected, that we contribute to sustainable development in developing countries, and that the rights and safety of New Zealanders abroad are protected.
We also seek to achieve our outcomes as part of the international community. This means working with other governments and international and non-government organisations to achieve our goals.
We provide legal advice on international issues and are the formal channel for the Government’s communications to and from other countries and international organisations.
Through our network of staff in New Zealand and at overseas posts, we work with foreign governments on political, security, trade and other issues affecting the wellbeing and standard of living of New Zealanders.
We are also responsible for coordinating the activities of New Zealand agencies overseas as part of ‘NZ Inc’.
Our people
Our senior leadership team is led by Chief Executive John Allen and comprises six deputy secretaries, the Principal Capability Advisor, the Principal Change Management Adviser, the Directors of Human Resources and Communications, and the Senior Adviser to the Secretary, Strategy.
Our wider leadership team comprises 29 directors and 54 heads of mission or heads of post around the world.
Our network is made up of 53 overseas posts accredited to 121 countries and the principal international organisations, 9 Consulates-General managed by New Zealand Trade and Enterprises (NZTE) and 65 Honorary Consuls.
More than 100 staff from other government agencies are also represented at our posts.
Crown entities
Our relationship to Crown entities and providers of non-departmental output classes funded under Vote Foreign Affairs and Trade is as follows:
New Zealand Antarctic Institute
The New Zealand Antarctic Institute is a Crown Entity established under the New Zealand Antarctic Institute Act 1996 to develop, manage and execute New Zealand’s activities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, in particular the Ross Dependency, in cooperation with the Ministry and other government agencies. Our main responsibility is to monitor on behalf of the Minister the Institute’s effectiveness and efficiency and management of risks. Key areas of focus include: providing advice on strategic direction and capability; assessing the appropriateness of output and performance measures for the Statement of Intent; advice on board appointments and inductions; and monitoring performance against expected outputs and outcomes.
Pacific Cooperation Foundation
The Pacific Cooperation Foundation was established as a charitable trust in June 2002. By undertaking targeted project work the Foundation acts as a catalyst for strengthening New Zealand-Pacific relationships, providing information, facilitating outcomes, and developing networks within the Pacific region. The Foundation has been funded since 2004 through Vote Foreign Affairs and Trade. Our Chief Executive is an ex-officio member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. We act on behalf of the Minister as purchase and ownership adviser in respect of the Foundation. We assist with the preparation of the purchase agreement between the Foundation and the Minister, coordinate the appropriation process, provide financial and performance monitoring, advise on the Foundation’s strategic direction and capability, and report quarterly to the Minister.
Asia New Zealand Foundation
The Asia New Zealand Foundation (formerly Asia 2000 Foundation) was established in 1994 as an incorporated trust with accountability to the Crown under the Public Finance Act 1989. The Government provides funding to the Foundation through the Ministry on the basis of an annual output agreement. Through its activities in education, business, media, Track II (i.e. non-government discussion of policy issues), research, arts and community, the Foundation works to deepen New Zealanders’ knowledge and understanding of Asia. We act on behalf of the Minister as purchase adviser and contract manager in respect of the Foundation. We oversee preparation of the annual output agreement and coordinate the appropriation process as part of the Foundation’s performance and financial monitoring.
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
The Ministry, in conjunction with the Ministry of Economic Development, has a joint role in monitoring the performance of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) on behalf of the Ministers of Trade and of Economic Development, although NZTE is not funded from Vote Foreign Affairs and Trade. We provide regular briefing and comment to Ministers on NZTE’s performance. Our Chief Executive acts as a special advisor to the NZTE board. This dialogue ensures high-level policy coordination and close alignment of goals between the two organisations.
Our legal responsibilities
We administer the following Acts :
Antarctica Act 1960
Antarctica (Environmental Protection) Act 1994
Antarctica Marine Living Resources Act 1981
Anti-Personnel Mines Prohibition Act 1998
Chemical Weapons Prohibition Act 1996
Cluster Munitions Prohibition Act 2009
Commonwealth Countries Act 1977
Consular Privileges and Immunities Act 1971
Continental Shelf Act 1964
Cook Islands Act 1915
Cook Islands Constitution Act 1964
Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act 1968
Foreign Affairs Act 1988
Geneva Conventions Act 1958
International Crimes and International Criminal Court Act 2000 (jointly administered with the Ministry of Justice)
Kermadec Islands Act 1887
Mercenary Activities (Prohibition) Act 2004
New Zealand Antarctic Institute Act 1996
New Zealand Export–Import Corporation Dissolution Act 1992
New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament and Arms Control Act 1987
Niue Act 1966
Niue Constitution Act 1974
Nuclear-Test-Ban Act 1999
Pitcairn Trials Act 2002
Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, and Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1977
Terrorism Suppression Act 2002 (jointly administered with the Ministry of Justice)
Tokelau Act 1948
Tokelau (Territorial Seas and Exclusive Economic Zone) Act 1977
United Nations Act 1946
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Act 1996
Western Samoa Act 1961.
The Ministry also administers a number of statutory regulations made under the above Acts, particularly in the areas of UN Security Council sanctions, diplomatic privileges and immunities, and Tokelau.
Export controls on strategic goods are administered by the Ministry under the Customs Export Prohibition Order 2008.
Treaties
The following international agreements were signed, ratified, accepted, approved or acceded to by New Zealand, or entered into force for New Zealand, between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011:
Multilateral Treaties
Third Protocol Amending the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia
NZ Signature Date: 23 July 2010
NZ Adherence Type: ratified
NZ Adherence Date: 28 March 2011
Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fishery Resource in the South Pacific Ocean NZ Adherence Type: ratified
NZ Adherence Date: 01 June 2011
Statute of the International Renewable Energy Agency NZ Adherence Type: acceded to
NZ Adherence Date: 01 April 2011
NZ Entry into Force Date: 01 May 2011
Convention on Cluster Munitions
NZ Entry into Force Date: 01 August 2010
Protocol to the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment on Matters specific to Aircraft Equipment
NZ Adherence Type: acceded to
NZ Adherence Date: 20 July 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 01 November 2010
Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment NZ Adherence Type: acceded to
NZ Adherence Date: 20 July 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 01 November 2010
Bilateral/Plurilateral Treaties
Agreement on Audio-Visual Co-Productions between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the Republic of India
NZ Signature Date: 28 June 2011
Agreement between New Zealand and the Slovak Republic on a Working Holiday Scheme
NZ Signature Date: 14 June 2011
Agreement in the Form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and New Zealand Pursuant to Article XXIV:6 and Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 Relating to Modification of Concessions in the Schedules of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania in the Course of Their Accession to the European Union
NZ Signature Date: 28 April 2011
Investment Protocol to the New Zealand – Australia Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement
NZ Signature Date: 16 February 2011
Exchange of Letters modifying the Working Holiday Scheme between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the Argentine Republic
NZ Signature Date: 13 December 2010
Exchange of Notes Amending the Agreement on a Working Holiday Scheme between the Government of New Zealand and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay
NZ Signature Date: 14 December 2010
Protocol to the Agreement on a Working Holiday Scheme between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the Czech Republic
NZ Signature Date: 25 November 2010
Agreement between New Zealand and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income NZ Signature Date: 01 December 2010
Agreement between New Zealand and the Swiss Confederation on Sanitary Measures Applicable to Trade in Live Animals and Animal Products NZ Signature Date: 17 November 2010
Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of Samoa for the Allocation of Taxing Rights with respect to Certain Individuals and to Establish a Mutual Agreement Procedure in respect of Transfer Pricing Adjustments NZ Signature Date: 24 August 2010
Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of Samoa on the Exchange of Information with respect to Taxes NZ Signature Date: 24 August 2010
Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu on the Exchange of Information with respect to Taxes
NZ Signature Date: 04 August 2010
Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands for the Allocation of Taxing Rights with respect to Certain Income of Individuals and to Establish a Mutual Agreement Procedure in respect of Transfer Pricing Adjustments NZ Signature Date: 06 August 2010
Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands on the Exchange of Information with respect to Taxes NZ Signature Date: 06 August 2010
Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the Cook Islands concerning the Delimitation of the Maritime Boundaries between Tokelau and the Cook Islands NZ Signature Date: 04 August 2010
NZ Adherence Type: third person note
NZ Adherence Date: 03 December 2010
Film Co-Production Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the People’s Republic of China NZ Signature Date: 07 July 2010
NZ Adherence Type: third person note
NZ Adherence Date: 08 December 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 31 January 2011
Exchange of Letters New Zealand and Hong Kong, China constituting an agreement on the negotiation of an investment protocol
NZ Signature Date: 29 March 2010
NZ Adherence Type: third person note
NZ Adherence Date: 02 December 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 01 January 2011
New Zealand – Hong Kong, China Environment Cooperation Agreement
NZ Adherence Type: third person note
NZ Adherence Date: 02 December 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 01 January 2011
Memorandum of Understanding on Labour Cooperation between New Zealand and Hong Kong, China NZ Adherence Type: third person note
NZ Adherence Date: 02 December 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 01 January 2011
New Zealand – Hong Kong, China Closer Economic Partnership Agreement
NZ Adherence Type: third person note
NZ Adherence Date: 02 December 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 01 January 2011
Exchange of letters constituting an Amendment to the Agreement between New Zealand and Australia Concerning a Joint Food Standards System NZ Adherence Type: third person note
NZ Adherence Date: 18 May 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 06 July 2010
Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the United States of America on Science and Technology Cooperation Contributing to Domestic and External Security Capabilities
NZ Adherence Type: third person note
NZ Adherence Date: 09 September 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 09 September 2010
New Zealand – Malaysia Agreement on Environmental Cooperation
NZ Adherence Type: third person note
NZ Adherence Date: 28 July 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 11 August 2010
New Zealand – Malaysia Free Trade Agreement
NZ Signature Date: 26 October 2009
NZ Adherence Type: third person note
NZ Adherence Date: 21 July 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 01 August 2010
New Zealand – Malaysia Agreement on Labour Cooperation
NZ Adherence Type: third person note
NZ Adherence Date: 21 July 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 29 July 2010
Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the Republic
of Singapore for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income (with Protocol)
NZ Adherence Type: third person note
NZ Adherence Date: 21 July 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 12 August 2010
Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the Isle of Man for the Allocation of Taxing Rights with Respect to Certain Income of Individuals and to Establish a Mutual Agreement Procedure in Respect of Transfer Pricing Adjustments
NZ Adherence Type: third person note
NZ Adherence Date: 27 July 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 27 July 2010
Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the Isle of Man on the Exchange of Information with Respect to Taxes
NZ Adherence Type: third person note
NZ Adherence Date: 27 July 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 27 July 2010
Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of Jersey for the Exchange of Information with Respect to Taxes
NZ Adherence Type: third person note
NZ Adherence Date: 22 October 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 27 October 2010
Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of Jersey for the Allocation of Taxing Rights with Respect to Certain Income of Individuals and
to Establish a Mutual Agreement Procedure in Respect of Transfer Pricing Adjustments
NZ Adherence Type: third person note
NZ Adherence Date: 22 October 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 27 October 2010
Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the States of Guernsey
for the Exchange of Information with Respect to Taxes and the Allocation of Taxing Rights with Respect to Certain Income of Individuals
NZ Adherence Type: third person note
NZ Adherence Date: 08 November 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 08 November 2010
Protocol Amending the Convention between New Zealand and the United States for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income
NZ Entry into Force Date: 12 November 2010
World Wine Trade Group Agreement on Requirements for Wine Labelling
NZ Adherence Type: ratified
NZ Adherence Date: 11 June 2010
NZ Entry into Force Date: 01 July 2010
Agreement between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of the Italian Republic regarding the employment of co-habiting dependants of diplomatic, consular and technical/administrative personnel
NZ Entry into Force Date: 01 September 2010
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