Our relationship with Austria
New Zealand and Austria have a warm and enduring relationship. We share many common interests and values, including a strong commitment to multilateralism. We work closely together on international peace and security, disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, UN Security Council reform and human rights issues. On the bilateral front, a two-way Working Holiday Scheme gives our young citizens the opportunity to live, study and work in New Zealand and Austria. Demand is strong for the 100 visas available to young Austrians each year to live and work in New Zealand.
While the Austrian community in New Zealand is small, past residents have had a significant influence on New Zealand’s cultural life. These include Ferdinand von Hochstetter, known as the father of New Zealand geology, architect Ernst Plischke and philosopher Karl Popper, who both lived in New Zealand during World War II, as well as artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser who made his home in New Zealand in the 1970s.
New Zealand's representation in Austria is both a Permanent Mission to the United Nations and other international organisations based in Vienna, and New Zealand’s Embassy in Austria. The Embassy is also accredited to Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Trade
Year ending March 2019 statistics
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Total trade
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NZ$424 million
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Exports to Austria
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NZ$87 million |
Top exports: Iron, steel, and articles, electrical machinery and equipment
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Imports from Austria
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NZ$336 million
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Top imports: Trucks, vans, tractors, retail medicines |
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GDP per capita
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US$51,513
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As a Member State of the European Union (EU) Austria has strong economic links both within the EU and to Central and Eastern Europe. It weathered the global financial crisis well and remains one of the EU Member States with the highest GDP per capita. The largest New Zealand company operating in Austria is Tait Electronics, while Austria’s OMV is also active in New Zealand.
Working Holiday Scheme
New Zealanders aged between 18 and 30 can apply for a six-month working holiday visa for Austria.
To apply, you can go to a VFS Global office in Auckland. You can also apply at Austrian embassies in Canberra, London, Madrid, Ljubljana in Slovenia, and Bratislava in Slovakia.
For more information, go to the Austrian Embassy website (external link).
Embassies
Recent official visits
New Zealand to Austria
- March 2015: Associate Minister of Health Peter Dunne attended the 58th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Vienna
- March 2014: Associate Minister of Health Peter Dunne attended the 57th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Vienna
- February 2013: Minister of Justice, Ethnic Affairs and ACC, Judith Collins visited Vienna to attend the UN Alliance of Civilisations Global Forum and to discuss bilateral issues.
- March 2011: Minister of Revenue, Associate Minister of Health and Associate Minister of Conservation, Peter Dunne, visited Vienna to attend the annual United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs meeting , and to discuss bilateral issues.
Austria to New Zealand
- March 2011: Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Michael Spindelegger led a trade mission to New Zealand
- 1999: Minister of the Environment Dr Martin Bartenstei attended a meeting on the Antarctic Treaty System
