Canada

New Zealand and Canada identify closely with each other’s interests, concerns and values. We're linked by a common world view based on our Commonwealth heritage and shared parliamentary, legal, social and defence traditions. We cooperate on some of the toughest issues facing the international community today, such as cyber security and the international response to ISIL.

New Zealand Māori and Canadian Indigenous Peoples, particularly from Western Canada, have regular visits and cultural exchanges, mostly independent of government agencies.

Trade

2018 statistics

Canada is New Zealand’s 12th largest export market worth NZ$1.1 billion (year ending June 2018). Two-way trade sits at just under NZ$2 billion. Tourism and travel are New Zealand’s largest export categories to Canada, followed by wine, beef and lamb. Exports to Canada are growing at a faster rate than New Zealand’s exports to the rest of the world. Canada’s main exports to New Zealand include machinery, wood, pork and fertilizers.

Canada is a growing market for trade and investment, offering opportunities in health IT, wood and building products, agile technology including specialised manufacturing and clean technology, specialty food and beverages, and agritech. There's scope for more collaboration in research, science and technology in these areas.

Canada has identified New Zealand as a priority established market under their Global Markets Action Plan, focusing on ICT, sustainable technology, oil and gas, and life sciences. Examples of commercial activity between our countries include an Ottawa company contracted to print New Zealand banknotes and passports, and Lockeed Martin Canada contracted for a New Zealand Navy frigate upgrade.

Free trade negotiations with Canada

We are working together for freer global and regional trade through the WTO and APEC.

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

Read about the benefits of CPTPP for New Zealand and Canada - New Zealand and Canada: Trade Partners [PDF, 1.2 MB]

Embassies

• New Zealand is represented in Canada by the New Zealand High Commission in Ottawa, Ontario, and the Consulate General and Trade Office(external link) in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Canada is represented in New Zealand by the High Commission of Canada, Wellington(external link) and the Canadian Consulate-General and Trade Office, Auckland(external link).

Working Holiday Scheme

New Zealand and Canada working holiday visas gives our young citizens (age 18 - 35) the opportunity to visit and work in each other’s country for up to 23 months.

See the the Working holiday scheme page for more.

Recent official visits

New Zealand to Canada

• Oct 2019: Hon. Tracey Martin visited Vancouver and Toronto in her capacity as Minister for Children and Associate Minister of Education
• Aug 2019: Chief Science Adviser Juliet Gerrard visited Ottawa
• June 2019: Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni visited Ottawa
• May 2019: Hon. Emily Woods attended the Clean Energy Ministerial meeting in Vancouver
• April 2019: Minister for Maori Development, Hon. Nanaia Mahuta, visited Toronto and Ottawa
• November 2018: Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage visited Vancouver
• October 2018: Hon. David Parker, in his capacity of Minister of Trade and Export Growth, attended the WTO Ministerial Discussion in Ottawa. Minister Parker also had bilateral meetings with Canadian counterparts relating to his Environment and Attorney General portfolios.
• October 2018: Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis visited Vancouver
• January 2018: Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters attended the Vancouver Foreign Ministers Meeting on Security and Stability on the Korean Peninsula
• June 2017: Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse and Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson visited Ottawa and Vancouver
• March 2016: Minister Nikki Kaye visited Ontario and British Columbia for discussions related to her ACC, Civil Defence, Associate Education and Youth Affairs portfolio

Canada to New Zealand

• October 2018: Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of International Trade Diversification, Omar Alghabra, led an Indigenous trade mission to the World Indigenous Business Forum in Rotorua
• August 2018: Hon. Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
• August 2016: Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Jody Wilson-Raybould, visited for a study tour focused on indigenous affairs and criminal reform
• April 2016: Minister of Defence Harjit Sajjan visited Wellington
• November 2014: Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited New Zealand at the invitation of Prime Minister Key for bilateral meetings