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.
A Working Holiday Scheme between Sweden and New Zealand has been in place since 2001, enabling Swedish and New Zealand nationals aged between 18 and 30 to work for up to a year in the other country. Unlimited places are available under this scheme to young citizens of Sweden.
|
Total trade in goods |
$358 million |
|
|
Exports to Sweden |
$62 million |
Top exports: sheep meat, wine, apples and seafood |
|
Imports from Sweden |
$296 million |
Top imports: farming machinery, motor vehicles, electrical machinery and pharmaceutical products |
|
GDP |
US$477 billion |
|
| GDP per capita | US $46,769 | (NZ GDP per capita is US$43,837) |
| GDP growth | 2.4% |
New Zealanders aged between 18 and 30 can apply for a 12-month working holiday visa for Sweden.
Read more about how to apply (external link).
Rt Hon Trevor Mallard, Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives, visited Berlin and Munich for a two day bilateral visit on 14-15 January 2019.
A new memorial honouring the role of New Zealand Māori and other service people in the First World War will be unveiled in the Passchendaele Memorial Park, next to the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, Zonnebeke on Anzac Day, 25 April 2019.
The EU and New Zealand reaffirmed their commitment to deepen their partnership in the coming years, and explored opportunities for further collaboration in various fields.
Latest update for New Zealand exporters on Europe and UK trade issues.