Treaties for which NZ is DepositaryTrade law and free trade agreementsTreaty making processLaw of the Sea and FisheriesInternational Humanitarian LawInternational Courts and TribunalsPrivate International LawDiplomatic Privileges and ImmunitiesSecurity Council SanctionsSpeeches and Events
New Zealand acts as the depositary, or administrator, for a number of international treaties. The Treaty Officer in Legal Division maintains copies of each treaty for which it is depositary, and manages all associated communication with States Parties, including receiving ratification or accessions, denunciations or withdrawals.
One of the major achievements of the Uruguay Round negotiations was to set in place, under the World Trade Organisation (WTO), a procedure for resolving trade disputes arising between members. WTO members agree not to take unilateral action when they think their rights have been violated. Instead they put their grievance through the WTO dispute settlement system and agree to abide by its rules and findings.
The Legal Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade oversees the process by which the New Zealand Government enters into, and withdraws from or denounces, treaties.
In New Zealand the power to take binding treaty action rests with the Executive. Within this context, Cabinet has decided that certain international treaties will be presented to the House of Representatives for select committee consideration, before the Executive takes binding treaty action.
