Our relationship with Taiwan

While we do not maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, we do have a vibrant trading, economic and cultural relationship. We’re both members of APEC, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), a number of fisheries conventions and the Asian Development Bank. Taiwan is an important source of imports, tourism and investment, and an important export market for New Zealand.

As well as trade, we enjoy extensive people-to-people links. There are employment opportunities for New Zealanders in Taiwan, particularly in teaching, and the number of art and cultural exchanges is growing. Many Taiwanese have migrated to New Zealand since the 1990s, and we have a particularly strong Taiwanese population in Auckland. Tourism, education and business links have strengthened since a three-month visa waiver was introduced in November 2009.

Trade

2014 statistics

Total trade in goods 

$1.8 billiion

 

Exports to Taiwan

 $1 billion

Top exports: milk powder, frozen beef, confidential items

Imports from Taiwan

$766 million

 Top imports: oils and biodiesel, stainless steel (>600mm wide flat-rolled), bicycles

GDP

US$530 billion

  
GDP per capita US$22,598 (NZ GDP per capita is US$43,837)
GDP growth  3.7%  

Taiwan is our 8th-largest export market and 16th-largest source of imports. Our dairy, meat, fruit, seafood and forest products are very popular with the Taiwanese and we’re their largest supplier of dairy products.

New Zealand has an agreement on Economic Cooperation with the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu which was signed in 2013. Tariffs are being rapidly eliminated, opening up significant trading opportunities.

Find out more information about New Zealand's agreement on Economic Cooperation. (external link)

Working Holiday Scheme

New Zealanders aged between 18 and 30 can apply for a 12-month working holiday visa for Taiwan.

To apply, you can go to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in either Auckland or Wellington.

For more information, read the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office website (external link).

Representation

New Zealand does not have an embassy in Taiwan and Taiwan does not have an embassy in New Zealand. Trade and cultrual interests are supported by the following offices:

 

News & Events

2017 New Zealand General Election

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UN Security Council: Brief: DPRK

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Statement delivered by Carolyn Schwalger, Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, 10 December 2015.

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