New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Encyclopedia
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) is the New Zealand Government ministry responsible for promoting New Zealand
's interests in trade and international relations.
It is responsible to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
, Murray McCully
, as well as the Minister for Trade, Tim Groser
and Prime Minister John Key
. It provides advice to the New Zealand Government on international issues.
The ministry takes an active role in the Asia-Pacific
region, and has been involved in regional security initiatives such as the RAMSI intervention in the Solomon Islands
, and negotiating and implementing a peace agreement in Bougainville
. The ministry represents New Zealand interests to other governments, including at the United Nations
, APEC and the WTO.
It is active in developing export opportunities for local companies, and in 2008 negotiated a free trade agreement
with China
.
The Ministry has over 600 staff and a budget of $184 million NZD, excluding the aid programme. The ministry is based in Wellington
, and has consulates and embassies in 48 overseas posts.
Along with other NZ Government ministries, it used to sponsor the Centre for Strategic Studies New Zealand
, though the Centre is now part of Victoria University of Wellington
.
The Ministry acts in a supervisory capacity (shared with the Ministry of Economic Development) for the delivery agency known as New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
.
agency NZAID is a semi-autonomous agency within the ministry. It is a major provider of aid to the Pacific.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's interests in trade and international relations.
It is responsible to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister of Foreign Affairs (New Zealand)
The Minister of Foreign Affairs is a major ministerial portfolio in the government of New Zealand.The current Minister of Foreign Affairs is Murray McCully, who was National Party Spokeperson of Foreign Affairs and Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs. There are also Associate Minister roles...
, Murray McCully
Murray McCully
Murray Stuart McCully is a New Zealand politician. He is a member of the National Party, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister for Sport and Recreation, and Minister for the Rugby World Cup.-Early life:...
, as well as the Minister for Trade, Tim Groser
Tim Groser
Timothy John Groser is a current New Zealand politician and former diplomat.-Early years:He was born in Perth, Scotland and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1958...
and Prime Minister John Key
John Key
John Phillip Key is the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, in office since 2008. He has led the New Zealand National Party since 2006....
. It provides advice to the New Zealand Government on international issues.
The ministry takes an active role in the Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific or Asia Pacific is the part of the world in or near the Western Pacific Ocean...
region, and has been involved in regional security initiatives such as the RAMSI intervention in the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
, and negotiating and implementing a peace agreement in Bougainville
Bougainville Province
The Autonomous Region of Bougainville, previously known as North Solomons, is an autonomous region in Papua New Guinea. The largest island is Bougainville Island , and the province also includes the island of Buka and assorted outlying islands including the Carterets...
. The ministry represents New Zealand interests to other governments, including at the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, APEC and the WTO.
It is active in developing export opportunities for local companies, and in 2008 negotiated a free trade agreement
Free trade area
A free trade area is a trade bloc whose member countries have signed a free trade agreement , which eliminates tariffs, import quotas, and preferences on most goods and services traded between them. If people are also free to move between the countries, in addition to FTA, it would also be...
with China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
The Ministry has over 600 staff and a budget of $184 million NZD, excluding the aid programme. The ministry is based in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
, and has consulates and embassies in 48 overseas posts.
Along with other NZ Government ministries, it used to sponsor the Centre for Strategic Studies New Zealand
Centre for Strategic Studies New Zealand
The Centre for Strategic Studies: New Zealand is an international and military affairs research centre located in Wellington, New Zealand...
, though the Centre is now part of Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
.
The Ministry acts in a supervisory capacity (shared with the Ministry of Economic Development) for the delivery agency known as New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is the government of New Zealand's official economic development agency. It works to stimulate growth, boost export earnings, strengthen regional economies, and deliver economic development assistance to industries and individual businesses...
.
NZAID
The New Zealand overseas development aidDevelopment aid
Development aid or development cooperation is aid given by governments and other agencies to support the economic, environmental, social and political development of developing countries.It is distinguished...
agency NZAID is a semi-autonomous agency within the ministry. It is a major provider of aid to the Pacific.
Secretaries of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Sir Alister McIntoshAlister McIntoshSir Alister Donald Miles McIntosh, KCMG , was a New Zealand diplomat. McIntosh was New Zealand's first secretary of foreign affairs, and is widely considered to be the father of New Zealand's independent foreign policy and architect of the ministry of Foreign Affairs in New Zealand.-Early...
(1942-1966) - Sir George LakingGeorge LakingSir George Robert Laking, KCMG, was a New Zealand diplomat who served as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador to the United States, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Chief Ombudsman.-Early life:...
(1967-1972) - Frank CornerFrank CornerFrank Corner, CMG, FRSA, is a New Zealand diplomat. Corner served as New Zealand's Ambassador to the United Nations and the United States, before becoming New Zealand's third Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs.-Early life:...
(1973-1980) - Merwyn NorrishMerwyn NorrishMerwyn Norrish , is a distinguished New Zealand diplomat who served as New Zealand’s Ambassador to the European Community, Acting High Commissioner to London, Ambassador to the United States, and Secretary of Foreign Affairs.-Early life:Norrish was educated at Ashburton High School and...
(1980-1988) - Graham Ansell (1989-1993)
- Richard Nottage (1993-1998)
- Neil WalterNeil WalterNeil Douglas Walter, CNZM is a distinguished New Zealand diplomat, and is a former Administrator of Tokelau, a territory of New Zealand. He served from February 1988 until 1990, and again from March 1, 2003 to 17 October 2006.-Biography:...
(1998-2002) - Simon MurdochSimon MurdochSimon Murdoch, CNZM is a New Zealand diplomat and public servant. He was New Zealand’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was previously New Zealand High Commissioner to Canberra, and Chief Executive of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.-Early life and education:Murdoch attended...
(2002-2009) - John Allen (2009-present)
See also
- Foreign relations of New ZealandForeign relations of New ZealandThe foreign relations of New Zealand are oriented chiefly toward developed democratic nations and emerging Pacific economies. The country’s major political parties have generally agreed on the broad outlines of foreign policy, and the current coalition government has been active in promoting free...
- New Zealand Agency for International DevelopmentNew Zealand Agency for International DevelopmentThe New Zealand Agency for International Development is the New Zealand Government's international aid and development agency. NZAID is a semi-autonomous body within the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade . Its Māori name is Nga Hoe Tuputupu-mai-tawhiti – the paddles that bring...
- List of New Zealand diplomatic posts
- List of Ambassadors and High Commissioners to and from New Zealand as of 24 July 2006.
- List of High Commissioners from New Zealand to the United Kingdom (for historic lists for other countries see "Heads of Missions" box below.