• Trade
• Working Holiday Scheme
• Aid
• Embassies
• Recent official visits

Trade

2019 statistics

The Philippines was New Zealand's 17th largest export destination in 2019, with total goods and services exports totalling NZ $1.08 billion. Two-way trade is worth around NZ $1.38 billion.

Free trade agreements with the Philippines

We have a regional free trade agreement with the Philippines:

• ASEAN-Australia-NZ FTA - AANZFTA

We're also negotiating another regional free trade agreement that includes the Philippines:

• Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

NZ Inc ASEAN strategy

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

Working Holiday Scheme

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).

Aid

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

Embassies

• New Zealand is represented in the Philippines by the New Zealand Embassy, Manila
• The Philippines is represented in New Zealand by the Embassy of the Philippines, Wellington

Recent official visits

New Zealand to the Philippines

• November 2017: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Foreign Minister Winston Peters attended the East Asia Summit and related meetings in Manila.
• August 2017: Minister of Foreign Affairs Gerry Brownlee visited Manila for the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers Meeting.
• November 2015: Prime Minister John Key visited for the APEC Leaders’ Meeting.

The Philippines to New Zealand

• May 2017: Secretary of Cabinet, Leoncio Evasco, visited New Zealand as an ASEAN Prime Minister’s Fellow, meeting Prime Minister Bill English and Minister of Foreign Affairs Gerry Brownlee.
• October 2012: President Benigno S Aquino visted New Zealand accompanied by six Cabinet Secretaries.