Our relationship with the Pacific

New Zealand is a Pacific country connected to the region by culture, history, politics, people, language, and shared interests. We also share personal ties, including family connections and the links forged through education, business, travel, and friendship.

 

The Pacific is a unique part of the world. Its 30,000 islands may make up less than 2% of the Pacific Ocean but they’re brimming with unique species, rainforests and glorious beaches; surrounded by crystal clear waters, coral reefs and the world’s deepest ocean trenches; and they are home to an extraordinary community.

The Pacific Ocean itself has rich cultural, social and ecological significance, and ocean areas are an important economic resource for many Pacific countries.

The region does have its challenges: in some areas the soil can’t grow crops or feed farm animals, there are active volcanoes and extreme weather events, sea levels are rising, and there aren’t always the workers needed to build, design, plan, teach, protect and care for the community. New Zealand works in partnership with Pacific countries to meet these challenges, and to support peace, prosperity, and environmental protection in the Pacific region.

Now, more than ever, the well-being of New Zealand’s people, economy and environment is closely linked to the well-being of the Pacific region in which we live. We are committed to sustainable development with and for the Pacific, and tackling the global challenges – particularly climate change – that affect our region.

• Formal connections
• Trade and economic cooperation
• Aid and Development
• Environment /Climate change
• Security
• Oceans and fisheries
• Embassy and consular services

Formal connections

We have many formal regional, bilateral and multilateral connections in the Pacific including the Pacific Islands Forum. More

Trade and economic cooperation

New Zealand and the Pacific have an important Trade and Economic relationship including economic cooperation through remittances and labour mobility. More

Aid and Development

Our Pacific neighbours receive almost 60% of our Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding, reflecting our shared community interest in the prosperity and stability of the region. More

Environment/Climate change

New Zealand is committed to sustainable development with and for the Pacific, and to tackling the global challenges – particularly climate change – in our region. More

Security

We work closely with Pacific countries and organisations on security issues, and administer the Pacific Security Fund. More

Oceans and fisheries

Oceans and fisheries resources are vital to Pacific economies, environments, and cultures. We work alongside Pacific partners to ensure that they are sustainably managed for future generations. More

Embassies and consular services