European Union Delegation To Aotearoa New Zealand
The European Union & New Zealand are close, like-minded partners, working together across trade, science, climate, innovation, Ukraine, & the Pacific to deliver real-world benefits for our people, economies, and planet. #StrongerTogether 🇪🇺🇳🇿
What we do
European Union, 2025
The European Union and New Zealand share a close and enduring partnership, built over decades of cooperation across culture, politics, trade and people-to-people links. Our relationship is grounded in shared values: respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights.
The European Union–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement entered into force on 1 May 2024. Since then, New Zealand exports to Europe have grown by $2 billion. The Agreement supports open, rules-based trade and investment, green growth, and economic resilience. In October 2025, the first EU–NZ Business Summit brought together Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to deepen business and investment ties.
Science, research and innovation are another cornerstone of our partnership. New Zealand is the first global partner associated to Horizon Europe — the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme and the world’s largest of its kind. More than 20 successful Horizon Europe partnerships are already underway between New Zealand and European organisations, creating opportunity and tackling global challenges in health, climate, digital technologies, food systems and inclusive societies.
The EU and New Zealand also work closely together in support of Ukraine, and cooperate in the Pacific and Antarctica. Across trade, science, climate, security and culture, our partnership delivers practical, real-world results for our people, our economies and our planet.
The Role of the EU Delegation to New Zealand
The Delegation represents the European Union in New Zealand and works to strengthen and deepen our bilateral relationship. We:
- Represent the European Union and its institutions in New Zealand
- Maintain and develop bilateral relations under the 2016 EU–New Zealand Partnership Agreement for Relations and Cooperation, covering political, economic, trade, development, education, research, science and technology, transport, environment and cultural cooperation
- Coordinate closely with EU Member States’ Embassies as part of Team Europe
- Report to Brussels on political, economic and social developments
- Promote understanding of the European Union and increase its visibility in New Zealand
- Lead press, public diplomacy and outreach activities
Follow the European Union Delegation to Aotearoa New Zealand on our social media channels here: Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Who we are
Political and Development
The Political and Development section monitors the work of the New Zealand Parliament, Government, administration and civil society on foreign and development policies, counterterrorism, democratic resilience, and human rights.
Trade and Economy
The Trade and Economy section monitors trade and regulatory developments in New Zealand, including agriculture and climate action.
Press and Public Diplomacy
The Press and Public Diplomacy section works to enhance awareness of the EU in New Zealand. From social media to close journalist relationships, the section serves as the Delegation’s first line of contact with the public and press.
Administration
The Administration section provides support services to the Delegation staff, building, and Residence through the authorised allocation of budgetary resources. It also liaises with authorities in Europe and New Zealand on protocol and administrative matters.