Sweden

Our relationship with Sweden

New Zealand and Sweden have a tradition of friendly and cooperative relations. Our countries share similar outlooks on global issues, including trade, agricultural reform, disarmament, human rights, and the environment.

Contacts between New Zealand and Sweden have existed since the early stages of European settlement in New Zealand, with significant numbers of Swedes settling in the North Island along with other Scandinavians.

Sweden is a champion of sustainable growth and a founding member of the Friends of Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform, a group of non-G20 countries initiated by New Zealand in 2010 to support the G20 (and subsequently APEC) commitment to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.

Sweden is also one of the original members of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, established by New Zealand in 2009. This alliance focuses on research, development and extension of technologies and practices that will help deliver ways to grow more food without increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Information on Working Holiday Schemes(external link) is available on the Immigration New Zealand website.

Trade

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

Embassies

• New Zealand is represented in Sweden by the New Zealand Embassy to Sweden
• Sweden is represented in New Zealand by the Embassy of Sweden

Recent official visits

New Zealand to Sweden

• June 2022: Minister for Energy and Resources, Hon Dr Megan Woods, visited Stockholm
• June 2019: Minister of Justice, Hon Andrew Little, visited Stockholm to participate in a ministerial meeting on nuclear disarmament
• October 2015: Minister of Social Housing, Hon Paula Bennett, visited Stockholm
• April 2011: Minister of Trade, Hon Tim Groser, visited Stockholm to meet trade and climate change counterparts

Sweden to New Zealand

• February 2023: Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel and Minister for International Development and Foreign Trade, Johan Forssell visited New Zealand
• September 2014: Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces, General Sverker Göranson, visited New Zealand
• March 2014: State Secretary Bertil Osberg attended the fourth International Summit on the Teaching Profession in Wellington
• September 2014: Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces, General Goranson, visited New Zealand
• March 2014: State Secretary Bertil Osberg attended the fourth International Summit on the Teaching Profession in Wellington