Mexico–New Zealand relations are the diplomatic relations between Mexico and New Zealand. Both nations are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
The earliest contact between Mexico and New Zealand may have occurred in the 16th or 17th century when Spanish ships carrying both Spanish and Mexican crew members between Acapulco, Mexico and Manila, Philippines sailed close to and may have shipwrecked in New Zealand.[1] Initially, relations between both nations were conducted via-London as New Zealand was part of the British Empire. During World War II both nations fought together in the Pacific War.
Diplomatic relations were officially established between both nations on 19 July 1973.[2] In 1980, New Zealand Prime Minister Robert Muldoon became the first New Zealand head-of-government to visit Mexico.[3] In 1983, New Zealand opened an embassy in Mexico City. For its part, Mexico at first conducted diplomatic relations with New Zealand from its embassy in Canberra, Australia and operated honorary consulates in Auckland and Wellington. On 30 December 1991, Mexico opened an embassy in Wellington. In 1999, President Ernesto Zedillo became the first Mexican head-of-state to visit New Zealand.
In 2013, both nations commemorated 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations.[4] In March of that same year, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key traveled to Mexico and met with President Enrique Peña Nieto.[5]
In November 2014, Mexican Foreign Secretary José Antonio Meade paid a visit to New Zealand and held a meeting with New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully.[6] In 2017, New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay paid a visit to Mexico to meet with his counterpart, Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal, regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In August 2018, a Mexican Senatorial delegation visited New Zealand to strengthen trade and parliamentary ties between the two nations.[7]
High-level visits from Mexico to New Zealand
High-level visits from New Zealand to Mexico
Both nations have signed numerous bilateral agreements such as an Agreement on Mexican and New Zealand Banks to Share Information (1992); Trade and investment agreement (1994); Air service Agreement (1999); Agreement on Scientific, Research and Technological Cooperation (2004); Agreement on the Avoidance of Double-Taxation and Tax Evasion (2006); Agreement on a Working holiday visa (2007); Agreement on Agricultural and Forestry Cooperation (2008) and an Agreement of Cooperation in the field of Renewable Energy (2010).
Mexico is an important market for New Zealand milk based products. In 2021, two-way trade between both nations amounted to US$689 million.[8] Mexico's exports to New Zealand are mainly manufactured and industrial products. New Zealand's exports to Mexico include: dairy products, meat and agricultural machinery.
In 2012, New Zealand was granted observer status for the Pacific Alliance, a regional group that includes Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.[9] In 2018, both nations became signatories of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership which grants both nations free trade with each other and other members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.