Malaysia–New Zealand relations (Malay: Hubungan Malaysia–New Zealand; Jawi: هوبوڠن مليسيا-نيوزيلند; Māori: Ngā whanaungatanga Aotearoa-Marēhia) refers to foreign relations between Malaysia and New Zealand. Malaysia has a High Commission in Wellington,[1] and New Zealand has a High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.[2] Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations and Malaysia is important to New Zealand for strategic, political and economic reasons,[3][4] with both countries' leaders were engaged in frequent visits to boost their relations.[3][4][5]
The trade and economic relationship between Malaysia and New Zealand is strong. This is in part because Malaysia occupies an influential position within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and is well-known to New Zealanders. In 2005, Malaysia and New Zealand initiated discussions on a bilateral free-trade agreement.[16] On 6 August 2020 Malaysia and New Zealand completed an Exchange of Letters to amend Article 1 of Annex 3 of the Malaysia New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. The amendment to Annex 3 entered into force on 1 October 2020.[17]
In 2012, Malaysia was New Zealand's eighth-largest trading partner with Malaysia's exports comprising petroleum, computer and television equipment and palm oil worth around NZ$1.84 Billion, while New Zealand exports to Malaysia stood at NZ$888 million, consisting of dairy products, meat and scrap metal. A free trade agreement between the two countries was signed on 26 October 2009 in Kuala Lumpur, and entered into force in August 2010.[18] Many New Zealand companies have a significant presence in Malaysia, primarily in the food, telecommunications and ICT sectors. The Free Trade Agreement aimed to encourage two-way investment between Malaysia and New Zealand.[19]
The total bilateral trade between two countries in 2016 stood at US$1.42 billion. Exports amounted to US$730 million, while imports amounted to US$680 million. In 2017, the two countries expressed their interest to expand the collaboration in the ICT and tourism sectors.[20] In the same year, New Zealand economic relations with Malaysia were also being discovered in other areas such as the food (mainly dairy products) and beverage sector and both countries announced their intention to foster stronger business and cultural links between them. A cultural exchange between Māori and the indigenous people of the Malaysian state of Sabah had been held in Kota Kinabalu.[21] New Zealand welcomed a group of 15 government delegates from the Malaysian state of Sarawak for a meeting held in April 2019 to share and discuss common indigenous interests and co-operation.[22]
Education relations
Under the Colombo Plan, a large number of Malaysian students were given the opportunity to study in New Zealand.[3][19] New Zealand is working to attract more students from Malaysia as part of the country efforts to promote it as a first choice for foreign study. An arrangement on higher education co-operation was signed between the two countries in 2013.[9] In 2019, further education relations were reinforced between New Zealand and the Malaysian state of Sarawak.[23]
New Zealand and Malaysia are both members of the Five Power Defence Arrangements. New Zealand plays a key role in the frequent military exercises between the countries involved.[24][25]
^ abTrade, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and. "New Zealand High Commission". New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
^"Malaysia–New Zealand Ties". Official Website of High Commission of Malaysia, Wellington. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
^ abc"Malaysia". Auckland Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on 25 January 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
^Trade, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and. "NZ-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement". New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
^Trade, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and. "NZ-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement". New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
