On the morning of Europe Day, EU Ambassador, Nina Obermaier, visited Wellington Cable Car, a New Zealand institution. Many people got a ride on the cable car with a beautiful view of the city while travelling through two tunnels reminiscent of Van Gogh's work, one lit with the EU flag and the second with sunflowers in support of Ukraine.

In the evening, the EU Delegation organized a reception hosted by acting Trade Minister Rino Tirikatene at New Zealand Parliament.  

Speech of the EU Ambassador to New Zealand, Nina Obermaier:

"E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā iwi, e rau rangatira ma, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa

Kei aku nui, kei aku rahi, tena koutou katoa

Tenei te mihi ki te mana whenua, Te Atiawa me Taranaki Whanui

Kei te mihi Minita Tirikatene

Kia ora tatou katoa

Today is Europe Day. The day on which we celebrate Robert Schuman’s vision, that he set out 73 years ago in the ashes of World War II, of a Europe united in peace and prosperity. 

[Europe Day also seems to always be a day of bad weather. It is already not great her, but a lot worse in Northland and Auckland, and my thoughts are with the people there facing another downpour with flooding. ]

73 years on, Europe is prosperous and a force for peace in the world. But due to Russia’s illegal and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, we also face the largest war on European soil since 1945. Together with many of you, we marked the first anniversary of the Russian aggression against Ukraine at the Wellington waterfront in February.

The horror of this war has brought the European Union and New Zealand even closer together, in support of Ukraine’s self-defence and in defence of the UN charter. We stand together to defend the rules-based order that underpins peace and prosperity (and that is at the very heart of Robert Schuman’s vision of a united Europe).

I would like to greet the Ukrainian community here today and reassure them that Europe continues to stand by your side. You are part of the European family and Europe Day is also your day. Slava Ukraini.

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The relationship between the EU and New Zealand continues to go from strength to strength. One year ago, we celebrated Europe Day in this very room. There was speculation that the long-awaited EU-New Zealand free trade agreement was about to be concluded. And indeed, only seven weeks later I was standing at a reception in the residence of the NZ Ambassador to the EU in Brussels, with the rain pouring outside, just like today, listening to Prime Minister Ardern outlining the opportunities created by the deal, standing next to her happy, but exhausted negotiators, Minister O’Connor and Vangelis Vitalis.

Minister Tirikatene eloquently highlighted the many benefits this agreement is expected to bring, from an increase in trade by 30%, investment by 80%, tariff-free access to the EU market for 97% of NZ current trade; high ambitions on climate commitments; for the first ever in an EU trade agreement, an indigenous chapter promoting Maori trade and cooperation.

And I am already looking forward to conversations around a slice of prosciutto di parma or gouda cheese in Mystery Creek at Fieldays next month with innovative New Zealand food producers and consumers!

We hope to sign the agreement very soon…

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And people reconnected over the past year! When the borders opened, New Zealand Ministers, Parliamentarians and officials headed to Europe as did European Ministers, Parliamentarians and officials the other way.

This will grow:

Existing connections will be strengthened and new ones created between European and NZ researchers following the association to Horizon Europe.

We will work with MFAT and NZTE to make sure that New Zealand and European small and medium-sized enterprises will benefit from the FTA, by creating connections for exports to Europe and imports into New Zealand.

Next month we will also see lots of new connections and hopefully exciting matches between our women’s football teams during the FIFA World Cup!

You might know that I have personally campaigned for New Zealand’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest - the final is on Sunday. The momentum for a NZ entry is growing and I am very happy to see that Wellington is embracing the Eurovision spirit with a viewing party at the Vogelmorn Club. I believe that this may be another forum where New Zealand could punch above its weight!

To conclude, despite the long distance between Europe and Aotearoa New Zealand, let us keep connecting, keep us together not wide apart.

Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa

Tena koutou katoa

In that spirit I invite you to join me in a toast to His Majesty King Charles III and to the Government and PEOPLE of New Zealand. "

On Sunday 14th May, the EU Delegation supported the Eurovision screening party organized by "Friends of Vogelmorn" community. The Ambassador awarded prizes to congratulate the winners of the costume contest. This event was a unique and exciting way to celebrate european culture and diversity.