PM Stephen Harper wraps-up successful visit to New Zealand

Auckland: Prime Minister Stephen Harper today concluded a highly productive first official visit to New Zealand, where he met with Prime Minister John Key and the Governor General of New Zealand, Lieutenant General The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae.

During a meeting in Auckland, the two prime ministers discussed how to further strengthen ties between Canada and New Zealand including in the areas of trade and investment. They exchanged views on a number of international issues such as the crisis in Ukraine, the fight against the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and growing concerns over foreign fighters travelling to conflict zones to take part in terrorist activities. They also discussed the Ebola crisis. Prime Minister Harper congratulated Prime Minister Key on New Zealand’s recent election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2015-2016 and indicated that Canada looks forward to working with New Zealand during its tenure on the Council.

Regional issues in Asia also featured prominently in bilateral discussions between the two prime ministers. These included progress on Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, as well as the growing importance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and of ASEAN-centred regional institutions such as the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum.

The prime ministers also announced an amendment to the Canada-New Zealand Youth Mobility Agreement – an initiative under International Experience Canada – which extends the duration of work permits issued to youth from Canada and New Zealand from 12 to 23 months.

Quick Facts

New Zealand is an important like-minded partner for Canada on a broad range of issues. These include security and defence, migrant smuggling, international trade, counter-terrorism, human rights, indigenous issues, the governance of international fisheries and oceans, as well as education and culture.

• New Zealand is identified as an established market and a priority in Canada’s 2013 Global Markets Action Plan. Bilateral merchandise trade between the countries totalled $909 million in 2013.
• Prime Minister Key made his first official visit to Canada in April 2010.
• Canada and New Zealand signed a Youth Mobility Agreement in 1997 and amended it in 2010. The Agreement, an initiative under International Experience Canada, is very popular in both countries, with 1,044 Canadians and 1,668 New Zealanders taking part in 2013.

Quotes

“It was a pleasure to pay my first official visit to New Zealand, a country that Canada considers both a good friend and steadfast ally.  Prime Minister Key and I had highly productive discussions on strengthening our bilateral ties, particularly in the areas of trade and investment. We also shared views on a range of international and regional issues, including further advancing the Trans-Pacific Partnership and collaboration on combating international terrorism and other security threats. I look forward to continued work with Prime Minister Key on each of these important matters.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper