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Although we have tried to use plain English content on the site, you may come across specialist terms and acronyms. Find out what they mean in our glossary of terms.
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New Zealand’s security and prosperity interests are advanced and protected, our voice is heard abroad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade manages the Government’s business with foreign countries and their governments, and with international organisations.
On behalf of the Government, it intervenes with other governments to promote New Zealand’s interests. It advises the Government on where New Zealand’s advantage lies in relation to other countries.
It looks at New Zealand’s relations with other countries as a whole. It draws together the various aspects of New Zealand’s national interests to achieve most benefit for New Zealand in relation to the Government’s security, political, trade and economic objectives. It also provides legal advice on international issues.
The delivery of New Zealand’s official development assistance (ODA) programme is managed through the New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID), a business unit of the Ministry, which until April 2009 was a semi-autonomous body.
The Ministry also provides consular services for New Zealanders abroad, administers diplomatic privileges and immunities in New Zealand, provides services to other government agencies overseas, administers export controls on strategic goods, and maintains a register of international treaties.
The Ministry provides funding to one Crown Entity (the New Zealand Antarctic Institute) under the Crown Entities Act 2004 and two Crown charitable trusts (the Pacific Cooperation Foundation and the Asia New Zealand Foundation (formerly the Asia 2000 Foundation).
The work of the Ministry involves consultation with a wide range of government departments and agencies, with non-governmental and business organisations, and with private sector enterprises which have interests overseas.
Important amongst the Ministry’s partners is New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) with which the Ministry works closely in New Zealand and overseas in the development and implementation of programmes to promote trade, investment, and other external economic linkages. The Ministry also has close working relationships with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry; the New Zealand Food Safety Authority; the Ministries for Culture and Heritage; and the Environment; the Ministries of Defence; Economic Development; Education; Fisheries; Pacific Island Affairs; Research, Science and Technology; Transport; and Women’s Affairs; the Departments of Internal Affairs and Labour; Te Puni Ko-kiri; the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (including the External Assessments Bureau); Tourism New Zealand; The Treasury; the State Services Commission; Police; Customs; Defence Force; and the Security Intelligence Service.
Overseas, Ministry staff work closely with representatives of other New Zealand agencies under an agreed framework to promote cooperation in achieving the Government’s objectives.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible directly to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Trade, and the Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s statutory authority is embodied in the Foreign Affairs Act 1988.
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The relationship of the Ministry to Crown Entities and providers of Non-Departmental Output Classes funded under Vote: Foreign Affairs and Trade is as follows:
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. The Ministry’s main responsibilities for the Institute are to assist in the negotiation of the output agreement between the Institute and the Minister, manage the budget-setting process, and provide advice on the Institute’s strategic direction and capability.
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 and independent commentary, facilitating outcomes, and developing networks within the Pacific region. The Foundation has been funded since 2004 through Vote Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Ministry’s Chief Executive is an ex-officio member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. The Ministry acts on behalf of the Minister as purchase and ownership adviser in respect of the Foundation. The Ministry assists with the preparation of the output agreement between the Foundation and the Minister, coordinates the appropriation process, provides financial and performance monitoring, advises on the Foundation’s strategic direction and capability, and reports quarterly to the Minister.
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 of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the basis of an annual output agreement. Through its activities in education, business, media, track II (ie non-government discussion of policy issues), research, arts and community, the Foundation works to deepen New Zealanders’ knowledge and understanding of Asia. The Ministry acts on behalf of the Minister as purchase adviser and contract manager in respect of the Foundation. The Ministry oversees preparation of the annual output agreement, coordinates the appropriation process, undertakes performance and financial monitoring, advises on the Foundation’s strategic direction and capability, and provides periodic reports to the Minister.
A Cabinet-mandated review of the Foundation undertaken in 2007 identified the need for a range of strategic, structural and operational adjustments. The Ministry is working closely with the Foundation to support implementation of the review recommendations and further alignment of its programmes with New Zealand Government priorities in Asia.
The Ministry, in conjunction with the Ministry of Economic Development, has a joint role in monitoring the performance of NZTE on behalf of the Ministers of Trade and of Economic Development, although NZTE is not funded from Vote Foreign Affairs and Trade. Regular briefing and comment is provided to Ministers on NZTE’s performance. In the 2008/09 financial year this included providing advice to Ministers on their responsibilities under the Crown Entities Act, on Ministers’ Letter of Expectations, NZTE’s Statement of Intent, Output Agreement 2009/10, six-monthly reports to Cabinet’s Expenditure Control Committee, four-monthly reports including financial reporting, and any issues affecting their portfolios where the Ministers’ views needed to be conveyed to the NZTE Board and management. The Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade acts as a special adviser to the NZTE board. This dialogue ensures high-level policy coordination and close alignment of goals between the two organisations.
