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Embassies and consular services for Hong Kong (SAR)
| Location | Service areas |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Consulate-General |
Our relationship with Hong Kong
Hong Kong and New Zealand have deep and long-standing relations. New Zealand has a constructive relationship with the small but densely populated special administrative region (SAR) of China, underpinned by a dynamic economic relationship and long-established people-to-people ties. New Zealand and Hong Kong are both strong supporters of open markets and free trade. A free trade agreement between the two economies has been in place since 2010.
An important trading partner for New Zealand in its own right, Hong Kong also acts as a gateway for New Zealand goods and services into mainland China. Hong Kong is also a strong source of foreign direct investment into New Zealand.
Political Overview
Hong Kong, officially known as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is a former British territory that reverted to Chinese sovereignty on 1 July 1997. As a Special Administrative Region of China, Hong Kong is not itself fully sovereign and is not a member of organisations such as the United Nations or East Asia Summit. The People’s Republic of China has explicit responsibility for its foreign policy. Hong Kong is, however, a full and separate member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), under the nomenclature “Hong Kong, China” (HKC).
A high degree of autonomy was afforded to Hong Kong in accordance with the “One Country, Two Systems” principle under the Basic Law on its return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. In recent years this autonomy has been undermined. Since China’s imposition of the National Security Law in 2020 there has been a steady erosion of rights and freedoms in the city. In March 2024 Hong Kong enacted its own domestic national security legislation.
Following the passage of the National Security Law in 2020, the New Zealand Government suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and has also voiced its concerns both privately and publicly.
Trade and investment
For up to date statistics please visit Statistics New Zealand Trade Dashboard(external link).
New Zealand has an open and sophisticated trading relationship with Hong Kong, supported by our Closer Economic Partnership (2010) – Hong Kong’s first bilateral free trade agreement:
With similar populations and complementary economies, Hong Kong and New Zealand are ideal trading partners. New Zealand's exports to Hong Kong are dominated by agricultural and horticultural products, and Hong Kong sells New Zealand manufactured goods. New Zealand exporters experience few barriers to get their products to market in Hong Kong.
Between 40 – 60 percent of New Zealand exports to Hong Kong are re-exported to mainland China. Some New Zealand exporters use Hong Kong as a base to do business with mainland China.
People and culture
New Zealanders work in Hong Kong in a variety of professions, and today Hong Kong is home to a sizeable New Zealand community. Hong Kong and New Zealand share many common law traditions and New Zealand lawyers and judges have practiced in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has traditionally been a valuable source of international students for New Zealand. There are also links between our universities and polytechnics, and an Education Cooperation Arrangement between our respective Ministries of Education.
Traditionally Hong Kong tourists have been a significant market for New Zealand, and vice-versa Hong Kong is a popular tourist destination and transit point for New Zealanders. Hong Kong passport holders do not need a visa to visit New Zealand. Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific provide frequent direct air services.
New Zealand has a popular and reciprocal working holiday arrangement with Hong Kong that up to 400 young people from both sides can take advantage of each year. New Zealanders aged between 18 and 30 can apply for a 12-month working holiday visa for Hong Kong. Information on the Working Holiday Scheme can be found on:
- The Immigration New Zealand website(external link).
- Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Immigration Department website(external link)
Linkages in sport include the annual Hong Kong Rugby Sevens tournament, where New Zealand teams have a history of success, and the strong performance of New Zealand thoroughbreds at the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s racetracks.
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Hong Kong Safe travel advisory(external link)