Netherlands

Our relationship with the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a close partner of New Zealand, with a relationship based on shared values and interests, and extensive people-to-people connections.

In 1642, Dutch explorer Abel Tasman became the first European explorer to sight New Zealand, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that significant numbers of Dutch immigrated to New Zealand. By 1968, they formed the biggest group of non-British immigrant groups and today more than 150,000 New Zealanders claim Dutch heritage. There is also an expatriate New Zealand community in the Netherlands.

We have numerous links in the areas of scientific research and education. There is strong academic and research cooperation between Wageningen University in the Netherlands and Massey University. The two institutions have engaged in staff exchanges and researchers collaborate on issues such as global food safety, agriculture and environment policy, agricultural economics and agribusiness.  The Netherlands is an active member of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, an initiative co-founded by New Zealand which focuses on the research, development and extension of technologies and practices that will help deliver ways to grow more food without growing greenhouse gas emissions.

A Joint Cooperation Statement on Climate Change(external link) was signed between former Prime Minister Ardern and Prime Minister Rutte in 2019.

While New Zealand ground troops were not on Dutch soil during World War II, the link between the two countries is significant and remains relevant today. Thousands of young New Zealanders flew with the British Royal Air Force in World War II and in separately designated New Zealand squadrons. 256 New Zealand airmen killed in World War II lie buried in the Netherlands, in 85 different cemeteries.

Working Holiday Scheme

Information on New Zealand’s Working Holiday Scheme with the Netherlands(external link) is available on the Immigration New Zealand website.

Other Bilateral Agreements

Other bilateral agreements between our two countries include a Bilateral Visa Waiver Agreement, Double Tax Agreement, Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement and a Social Security Agreement. These can be found on New Zealand Treaties Online(external link).  

Trade

Information on New Zealand’s trade relationship with the Netherlands is available on the New Zealand Trade Dashboard(external link).

As the Netherlands is a European Union member state, the EU-NZ FTA will apply to trade between the Netherlands and New Zealand following ratification and entry into force.

Embassies

• New Zealand is represented in the Netherlands by the New Zealand Embassy to The Netherlands
• The Netherlands is represented in New Zealand by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Recent official visits

New Zealand to the Netherlands

• August 2022: Hon Carmel Sepuloni, Minister of Social Development and Employment, ACC, and Arts, Culture and Heritage
• June 2022: Hon Phil Twyford, Minister of Disarmament and Arms Control
• November 2019: Hon Stuart Nash, Minister of Police and Minister of Revenue
• April 2019: Hon Dr Megan Woods, Minister of Research, Science and Innovation, and Energy and Resources
• April 2018: Members of Parliament Hon Amy Adams, Hon Jacqui Dean and Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
• March 2018: Hon Andrew Little, Minister of Justice

The Netherlands to New Zealand

• July 2023:Conny Helder, Minister of Long-term Care and Sport
• October 2019: Prime Minister Mark Rutte
• November 2016: King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, with Minister of Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders, Minister of Economic Affairs Henk Kamp and a trade delegation