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Embassies/Consulates
RegionsNew Zealand and Poland enjoy a warm and friendly relationship. It dates back to at least 1872 when the first Polish settlers arrived in New Zealand. In March 2013, we marked the 40th anniversary of our diplomatic relations.
We also have shared experiences of our troops fighting alongside each other in World War Two, most notably at Monte Cassino and in the Battle of Britain.
A New Zealand delegation attended the 70th anniversary of the liberation of concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau, in January 2015. New Zealand was an early contributor to the Perpetual Fund set to maintain these camps as a testament to future generations.
New Zealand and Poland have a double taxation agreement and a working holiday scheme in place. We have also recently signed a film co-production agreement.
New Zealand and Poland are also building relationships between their parliaments, NGOsd and think tanks. Both countries parliaments' have active friendship groups which discuss opportunities for cooperation. The New Zealand Institute of International Affairs and the Polish Institute of International Affairs have recently agreed to hold regular meetings to discuss international relations. Finally, Poland and New Zealand both participate in the work of the Global Research Alliance, and focus on the work of the Livestock Research Group which aims to cut greenhouse emissions from agriculture.
New Zealand's best known Polish immigrants arrived in 1944 when New Zealand took in about 800 war refugees, most of them orphaned children who were cared for at a camp in Pahiatua and were known as the Pahiatua children. Many stayed and became New Zealanders because the political situation in Poland prevented them returning home after the war ended. November 2014 marked the 70th anniversary of their arrival, and three delegations from Poland came to New Zealand to mark the occasion.
After World War II about 200 Polish war veterans and 700 Polish displaced persons migrated here. Then in the early 1980's a further 320 refugees from the Communist regime were given a home here.
New Zealand now has a thriving Polish community of around 5 - 6,000 people.
|
Total trade in goods |
$127.8 million |
|
|
Exports to Poland |
$24 million |
Top exports: fish fillets, wool, iron or steel structures and their parts |
|
Imports from Poland |
$103.8 million |
Top imports: trucks and vans, harvesting machinery, telephones and cell phones |
|
GDP |
US$548 billion |
|
| GDP per capita | US $24,895 | (NZ GDP per capita is US$43,837) |
| GDP growth | 3.5% | |
Total trade between New Zealand and Poland grew by 23% from 2013 to 2014. There’s potential for increasing trade and economic links with Poland. An example is New Zealand wine for which demand is rapidly growing in Poland. There is also untapped potential in the education market, and New Zealand educational institutions are making connections with Polish universities, particularly in science and innovation.
Both countries are focused on growing the trading relationship. In March 2015, the New Zealand Embassy, New Zealand Trade Enterprise and the Polish Ministry of Economy hosted a ‘New Zealand Business Day’ to educate Polish and New Zealand businesses about opportunities between our countries.
New Zealanders aged between 18 and 30 can apply for a 12-month working holiday visa for Poland.
To apply, you can go to the Polish Embassy in Wellington. If you are overseas you can also apply through any Polish Consulate (external link).
For more information, read the Embassy of Poland's website (external link).
Ambassador Wendy Hinton made a farewell visit to Ukraine.
The General Election will be held on 23 September 2017. Voters who are overseas can vote from 6 September to 23 September.
New Zealand's oldest person, Madeline Anderson nee Orlowski turned 110 today.