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Find MFAT's information paper on a country or territory. (We don't have information papers on all countries.)
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.
If you come across a term that isn't included in the Glossary please send us an email.
WHS bilateral Agreements enable young New Zealanders to obtain a working holiday visa in a variety of countries. The reciprocal Agreements also further people-to-people links.
The following Agreements are currently under negotiation or awaiting formal steps:
Brazil: Negotiations are complete. Cabinet has approved the Agreement and it was signed in Auckland on 28 August 2008. New Zealand has completed its procedures. The Brazilian Congress has to ratify the Agreement in order to complete its domestic procedures. The Agreement will enter into force when the Brazilian Congress approves ratification.
Poland: Negotiations are complete. Cabinet has approved the Agreement and it was signed in Warsaw on 9 May 2008. Poland is about to complete domestic procedures to bring the agreement into force.
Slovakia: Negotiations are under way. The latest draft New Zealand text was sent to Slovakia in February 2009, and Slovakia responded with a counter-proposal in August 2009.
Spain: Negotiations are complete. Cabinet has approved the Agreement and it was signed in Wellington on 23 June 2009. Spain is still to complete domestic procedures to bring the agreement into force.
Lithuania: Negotiations are under way. A draft New Zealand text was sent to Lithuania in February 2009, and Lithuania responded with a counter-proposal in September 2009.
Lead agency:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Department of Labour
Legislation required:
No.
Contacts:
Europe: Ian Brownlie
Europe Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
ian.brownlie@mfat.govt.nz
Ph (04) 439 8405 Fax (04) 439 8523
Latin America: Esther Guy-Meakin
Americas Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
esther.guy-meakin@mfat.govt.nz
Ph (04) 439 8446 Fax (04) 439 8516
Alice King
Legal Adviser
Legal Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
alice.king@mfat.govt.nz
Ph (04) 439 8337 Fax (04) 439 8103
Nathan Glassey
Policy Officer
Economic Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
nathan.glassey@mfat.govt.nz
Ph (04) 439 8065 Fax (04) 439 8545
A central concern for successful Foreign Service assignments is ensuring the welfare of partners and dependants, and in particular employment opportunities for accompanying dependants. In many of the countries where staff are assigned, local legislative and immigration requirements pose problems for dependants who want to work. Dependants’ employment agreements (or arrangements) are required if these hurdles are to be overcome.
Italy: An Agreement was signed in December 2003. New Zealand procedures are complete. The Agreement will enter into force when the Italian domestic procedures are complete.
Lead agency:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Legislation required:
No.
Contact:
Alice King
Legal Adviser
Legal Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
alice.king@mfat.govt.nz
Ph (04) 439 8337 Fax (04) 439 8103
