New Zealand - Philippines relations have become more substantial over the last decade. People-to-people connections are driving this increasingly close relationship with more than 50,000 Filipinos in New Zealand. They are prominently represented in the construction, health and aged care sectors and as workers on dairy farms.
The large Filipino community is spurring growth in tourism and education. In 2016, 20,000 Filipinos visited New Zealand and 4,116 came to study. There are direct flights between Auckland and Manila.
|
Total trade in goods |
$744 million |
|
|
Exports to the Philippines |
$634 million |
Top exports: Dairy products, wood, paper, meat |
|
Imports from the Philippines |
$111 million |
Top imports: Fruits and nuts, electronic machinery, paint and dye, leather, prepared vegetables |
|
GDP |
US$305 billion |
|
| GDP per capita (PPP) | US$7,798 | NZ GDP per capita (PPP) is US$37,695 |
| GDP growth | 6.9% | |
During the past five years the Philippines growth rate has been one of the strongest in Asia, reaching almost seven percent in 2016. The Philippines was New Zealand’s 18th largest export destination in 2016, with goods and services exports totalling NZ$858 million. Two-way trade is worth around NZ$1 billion. By 2020, over 90% of New Zealand’s trade to the Philippines is expected to be duty-free.
We have a regional free trade agreement with the Philippines:
We're also negotiating another regional free trade agreement that includes the Philippines:
As a member of ASEAN, the Philippines is included in the NZ Inc ASEAN strategy. NZ Inc is the Government’s plan to strengthen New Zealand’s economic, political and security relationships with key international partners.
Find out more about the NZ Inc ASEAN strategy
A working holiday scheme between our two countries began in 2014 which allows 100 young New Zealanders and 100 young Filipinos to work and travel in each others' countries each year. New Zealanders aged between 18 and 30 can apply for a 12-month working holiday visa for the Philippines.
To apply, you can go to the Philippines Embassy in Wellington.
For more information, read the Philippines Embassy's fact sheet (external link).
The New Zealand Aid Programme in the Philippines is guided by our relationship with ASEAN. Our aid programme in ASEAN countries is about using New Zealand’s expertise in agriculture, knowledge and skills, and disaster risk management to support sustainable economic development.
Find out more about our aid programme with ASEAN
New Zealand to the Philippines
The Philippines to New Zealand
The Māori Electoral Option is an opportunity for anyone who is of New Zealand Māori descent and who is enrolled to vote to choose which electoral roll they want to be on – the General roll or the Māori roll.
At approx 4.30am (local time) a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the island of Mindanao in the Philippines on Saturday 29 April.
Typhoon Nock-Ten (named Nina in The Philippines) is expected to impact the central Philippines from around the 25th December. Strong winds, heavy rain and hazardous sea conditions are to be expected during this time.
The New Zealand Aid Programme investment priorities show how we will focus our aid over the next four years.