Netherlands

Our relationship with the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a close partner of New Zealand, with a relationship based on shared values and interests, and extensive people-to-people connections.

In 1642, Dutch explorer Abel Tasman became the first European explorer to sight New Zealand, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that significant numbers of Dutch immigrated to New Zealand. By 1968, they formed the biggest group of non-British immigrant groups and today more than 150,000 New Zealanders claim Dutch heritage. There is also a sizable expatriate New Zealand community in the Netherlands.

We have numerous links in the areas of scientific research and education. There is strong academic and research cooperation between Wageningen University in the Netherlands and Massey University. The two institutions have engaged in staff exchanges and researchers collaborate on issues such as global food safety, agriculture and environment policy, agricultural economics and agribusiness.  The Netherlands is an active member of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, a New Zealand initiative focused on the research, development and extension of technologies and practices that will help deliver ways to grow more food without growing greenhouse gas emissions.

Cultural connections between our two countries were enhanced in 2010, with “Te Hono ki Aotearoa”, a waka taua, being provided on permanent loan to the Volkenkunde Ethnology Museum in Leiden. As the only “living” waka in Europe, it has its own Dutch student crew trained in tikanga Māori, kawa, haka and waiata.

While New Zealand ground troops were not on Dutch soil during World War II, the link between the two countries is significant and remains relevant today. Thousands of young New Zealanders flew with the British Royal Air Force in World War II and in separately designated New Zealand squadrons. 256 New Zealand airmen killed in World War II lie buried in the Netherlands, in 85 different cemeteries.

Working Holiday Scheme

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

Trade

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

The Netherlands is the EU’s fifth-largest economy. It also serves as a re-export hub for the wider EU, as does Schiphol Amsterdam airport. Its strategic location within Europe, a population with strong language and entrepreneurial skills, quality infrastructure, and an open and outward-looking economy make the Netherlands an attractive gateway to Europe for New Zealand companies. Fonterra and Mainfreight have both chosen to locate their European Headquarters in the Netherlands.

Embassies

• New Zealand is represented in the Netherlands by the New Zealand Embassy to The Netherlands
• The Netherlands is represented in New Zealand by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Recent official visits

New Zealand to the Netherlands

• April 2018: Members of Parliament Hon Amy Adams, Hon Jacqui Dean and Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
• March 2018: Hon Andrew Little, Minister of Justice

The Netherlands to New Zealand

• October 2019: Prime Minister Mark Rutte
• November 2016: King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, with Minister of Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders, Minister of Economic Affairs Henk Kamp and a trade delegation