Cambodia

Our relationship with Cambodia

New Zealand has long-standing relations with Cambodia, with a small but steady trade relationship and connections though our work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and through the East Asia Summit. Cambodia is a popular tourist destination for New Zealanders.

Cambodia continues its steady economic and social development following the devastating period under the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. While Cambodia has enjoyed relative stability in recent years and has achieved good economic growth, the country remains one of Asia’s least developed countries. 

Defence and security 

From 1991 to 2005 New Zealand provided our then-largest peacekeeping force of over 100 military personnel to the UN peacekeeping mission in Cambodia (UNTAC). During this period New Zealand experts from the New Zealand Defence Force worked with the UN to help establish the Mine Clearance Training Unit. These efforts contributed to helping with the huge task of clearing millions of landmines and unexploded ordinances that are estimated to remain in Cambodia. 

Trade

Information about New Zealand's trade with Cambodia is available on the New Zealand Trade Dashboard(external link).

Free trade agreements with Cambodia

We have free trade agreements that include Cambodia:

• ASEAN-Australia-NZ FTA - AANZFTA
• Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

Development cooperation and sustainability

New Zealand partners with Cambodia to achieve sustainable economic growth, stronger, more resilient agriculture sector, to strengthen safety and security, and to develop a highly skilled and educated workforce.

Despite strong economic growth since the 1990s, Cambodia is ranked 151 out of 193 countries in the United Nation’s Human Development Index.  Our partnership supports ASEAN’s commitment to narrow the development gap between its members.

Our development cooperation is made up of activities specific to Cambodia, as well as multi-country and regional initiatives. These focus on areas that Cambodia has prioritised and where New Zealand’s expertise is most valued. Key work includes climate smart agriculture, mine action, the Angkor Archaeological Park’s resilience, and knowledge and skills. Work in these areas is longstanding. 

Cambodian scholars are eligible for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme which offers undergraduate and postgraduate tertiary scholarships, thematic short-term training, and vocational/professional short-term training. More information, including availability and application processes, are available here(external link).

Learn more about New Zealand’s development cooperation with ASEAN(external link). 

The latest information on our development cooperation activities, including activity details and descriptions, start and end dates, geographic and sectoral focus, and expenditure figures is available at DevData(external link).

Embassies

• New Zealand is represented in Cambodia by the New Zealand Embassy.(external link)
• Cambodia is accredited to New Zealand by the Royal Embassy of Cambodia(external link).