Germany

Our relationship with Germany

Germany and New Zealand enjoy a healthy and supportive relationship based on common interests and values, making us natural like-minded values partners in international affairs, trade and commerce, science and cultural exchange. MFAT is committed to developing a deeper strategic relationship with Germany.

Both countries have fostered these links through numerous high level visits in recent years. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited Berlin in April 2018, and met with Federal Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel where they discussed our ‘truly excellent relationship’. German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier previously paid a state visit to New Zealand in 2017 – the first visit by a Federal President since 2001. Chancellor Merkel visited New Zealand in 2014. Various New Zealand Ministers representing different portfolios as well as senior officials also visit Germany from time to time, or meet their counterparts virtually. Our two parliaments enjoy warm relations, and the German Bundestag recently opened its International Parliamentary Scholarship(external link) Programme to New Zealand applicants.  

Germany’s pivotal role in the European Union and increasing global influence mean that its influence over decisions affecting New Zealand's interests, including our trade and economic objectives, is significant and growing. It has proved generally supportive of New Zealand in these matters, including our ambitions for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU).

Science and technology

Germany has long been one of New Zealand’s most important partners in the area of science and innovation, with 2017 marking the 40th anniversary of the Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement.

Current examples of successful New Zealand-German science and research initiatives include:

• the University of Auckland’s Bioengineering Institute (ABI)’s world-leading work with the University of Stuttgart and the University of Freiburg on the 12 Laboursproject, which will produce a digital realisation of the inter-functionality of the human body’s organ systems.
• The ABI’s joint doctoral programme on soft-tissue robotics with the University of Stuttgart;
• A joint Green Hydrogen research programme co-funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
• MBIE and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR)’s cooperation on space research, including funding of joint research.
• The work of Dr Regina Eisert, MBIE’s Science and Innovation Coordinator for Germany, to establish and strengthen bilateral collaboration in a wide range of mutually beneficial research fields.

Cultural links

There are strong cultural links between New Zealand and Germany, with Berlin a favoured destination for New Zealand artists. New Zealand’s high profile participation as featured Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October 2012 was a particular highlight. New Zealand has an artist/writer-in-residency programme in Berlin and the Military History Museum in Dresden engaged New Zealand artist Kingsley Baird to create an installation in July 2014 as part of its World War I commemorations. In 2015, a major exhibition of the works (Māori portraits) of Gottfried Lindauer was displayed at the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin, attracting a near record 150,000 visitors. German-Kiwi artist Helme Heine’s exhibition “Spiegelbilder – Reflections” was shown at the Museum der Fünf Kontinente in Munich from October 2018 until April 2019. Most recently, from February until October 2020, a major exhibition in Hamburg featured Lisa Reihana’s panorama Pursuit of Venus.

Working Holiday Scheme

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

Trade

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

Germany is a key trading partner for New Zealand. Representing NZ$5 billion in two-way goods and services trade (2020), it is our largest EU trading partner, and one of our largest globally. Goods trade is skewed in Germany’s favour due to the prominence of high-value machinery and vehicle imports, whereas our services trade is more balanced.

The German-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (GNZCC) is an important partner in promoting bilateral trade relations between Germany and New Zealand. The GNZCC, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, has offices in Auckland and Wellington with a nationwide membership of just under 300 companies. Further information is available on the Chamber’s website(external link).

Embassies

• New Zealand is represented in Germany by the New Zealand Embassy to Germany(external link)
• Germany is represented in New Zealand by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany

Recent official visits

New Zealand to Germany

• February 2020: Hon Andrew Little, Minister of Justice
• December 2019: Fletcher Tabuteau, Parliamentary Under-Secretary
• October 2019: Hon David Parker, Minister for Trade and Export Growth/Environment
• April 2019: Hon Megan Woods, Minister of Energy, Resources and Digital Services

Germany to New Zealand

• February 2020: Wolfgang Kubicki, Vice-President of the Bundestag
• October 2019: Thomas Oppermann, Vice-President of the Bundestag
• April 2029: Mark Hauptmann MP, Prime Minister's Fellow
• March 2019: Delegation of the German Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with the Pacific led by Volkmar Klein MP