New Zealand is the third largest country in Oceania and one of the largest island countries in the world.
New Zealand
New ZealandAustralia and New Zealand+8:00Hours ahead of the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)English, Maori, New Zealand Sign Language
National CurrencyNew Zealand Dollar (NZD)
National Day(s)6 February (Waitangi Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalWellington
Economic CapitalAuckland
Cultural CapitalWellington
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 16 – 17.5 h
Direct flights
Primary AirportAuckland Airport (AKL)
Primary PortPort of Tauranga (POT)
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the CoastlineAbout 15,134 km
Highest PointAoraki / Mount Cook (3,724 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverWaikato River (longest river in New Zealand, major source of hydroelectric power and critical for irrigation)
ClimateTemperate maritime
Border Countries
None (island)
0Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
New Zealand gained independence gradually, becoming a dominion in 1907, formally adopting full independence in 1947, and severing the last legislative ties with Britain through the Constitution Act 1986.
New Zealand is free from snakes. Snakes are found within the sea surrounding it but not in the country itself.
Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, is known as the “City of Volcanoes” because it sits on an active volcanic field. The most recent eruption occurred about 600 years ago.
New Zealand is the fourth least corrupt country in the world, according to the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).
New Zealand is home to the native Maui dolphin, one of the smallest and rarest dolphins in the world (1.5 m in length).
Yellow-eyed penguins are another one of New Zealand’s remarkable native species.
New Zealand is considered the most gender-equal country in the Asia-Pacific region and ranks fifth in the world for gender equality.
New Zealand is one of the largest exporters of dairy. In 2022, New Zealand was the world’s biggest exporter of concentrated milk, milk protein (casein), butter and honey.
New Zealand, along with the United Kingdom, is among the few countries without a constitution codified in a single document.
Milford Sound, which is a fjord, is the wettest place in New Zealand and one of the wettest places in the world.
Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, ranks among the safest cities in the world, placing 7th globally with a score of 79 on the Safe Cities Index.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | New ZealandUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesUSD Billions | - | - | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$ | - | - | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita | - | - | |
| PopulationMillions of people | - | - | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force | - | - | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP | - | - | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | - | - |
Foreign Trade
No data available for this section yet.
Political Overview
Leadership
Rt Hon. Dame Dr. Cynthia (Cindy) Alcyion Kiro
Since September 2021
Rt Hon. Christopher Luxon
Since November 2023
Rt Hon. Winston Peters
Since November 2023
Hon. Nicola Willis
Since November 2023
Hon. Todd McClay
Since November 2023
Hon. Nicola Willis
Since January 2025
Hon. Paul Goldsmith
Since August 2026
Political Summary
Political System
Parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
The Prime Minister is Head of Government and the King is Head of State, within a multi-party system and a unicameral Parliament.
Ruling Party
New Zealand National Party (NAT): Centre-rightACT New Zealand (ACT): Right-wingNew Zealand First (NZF): Centre-right
Main Opposition Force(s)
New Zealand Labour Party: Centre-left
Next Presidential Election
Not applicable (Hereditary)
Next Legislative Election
November 2026
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
55Organizations
27Member
11Founding Member
7Partner, Observer or Participant
10Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | New Zealand | UAE |
|---|
No index matches.
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations20 May 198541 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Rashid Matar Al QemziUAE Ambassador to New Zealand · ResidentForeign Ambassador
H.E. Dr. Richard KayAmbassador of New Zealand to the UAE · ResidentLast Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
Passenger Flights
October 2026 figures10Total Weekly Passenger Flights
EYEtihad Airways0
EKEmirates10
FZflydubai0
G9Air Arabia0
Cargo Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Cargo Flights
EYEtihad Cargo0
EKEmirates SkyCargo0
Last Updated: October 2026Source: GCAA
Consular Information
Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
New Zealand Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin New Zealand | - | - | - | - |
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 14 Jan 2025.Entered into force on 28 Aug 2025. |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 14 Jan 2025.Entered into force on 14 Nov 2025. |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 24 Sep 2003.Entered into force on 29 Jul 2004. |
ASAAir Services Agreement | Signed | Signed on 1 Mar 1998. |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to New Zealand | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - |
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of State for Foreign TradeSep2024
- H.E. Reem bint Ebrahim Al HashimyMinister of State for International CooperationMay2023
- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanMinister of Foreign Affairs and International CooperationMay2018
Official Visits to the UAE
- Rt Hon. Winston PetersDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New ZealandFeb2025
- Rt Hon. Christopher LuxonPrime Minister of New ZealandJan2025
- Hon. Damien O’ConnorMinister for Trade and Export Growth of New ZealandSep2023
- Hon. Nanaia MahutaMinister of Foreign Affairs of New ZealandNov2021
- Rt Hon. John KeyPrime Minister of New ZealandApr2015
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
-
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports
Key Trade Commodities
-
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)12.3USD Millions
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)26.9USD Millions
Capex and jobs data include estimated values.
Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major New Zealand Companies in the UAE
Fisher and Paykel HealthcareMedical devices and healthcare
FonterraDairy and food processing
Zespri InternationalAgribusiness and food exports
Major UAE Companies in New Zealand
DP WorldFreight forwarding and logistics
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Business Support
Dubai Chambers
Business Council(s)New Zealand Business Council
International Office(s)-
UAE-New Zealand Joint Business Council
Joint Business Council(s)Established in 2016; no meetings held since.
Planned to be renewed in 2026.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Various UAE Chambers
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research