Relationship dossier
Malaysia
New Zealand
Relationship assessment
Sustained economic and defense cooperation underpins Malaysia–New Zealand relations
Malaysia toward New Zealand
+50Malaysia has supported bilateral economic ties through the Malaysia–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, in force since 2010, and participates with New Zealand in the Five Power Defence Arrangements. Malaysia is also a party to the CPTPP, which includes New Zealand.
New Zealand toward Malaysia
+50New Zealand has pursued trade cooperation with Malaysia through the bilateral free-trade agreement in force since 2010 and participates with Malaysia in the Five Power Defence Arrangements. New Zealand is also a party to the CPTPP, which includes Malaysia.
Overall relationship
+50A bilateral free-trade agreement and shared defense arrangements provide enduring foundations for cooperation. Both countries also participate in the CPTPP, reinforcing their economic links. These sustained arrangements support a substantially cooperative relationship.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Malaysia and New Zealand maintain a substantially cooperative relationship supported by a bilateral free-trade agreement, defense cooperation through the Five Power Defence Arrangements, and participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. These arrangements provide durable economic and security links.
Key developments
The Malaysia–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement entered into force.
Malaysia and New Zealand became parties to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Malaysia and New Zealand participated in the Five Power Defence Arrangements, providing a continuing framework for defense cooperation.
Major uncertainties
- The current scope and implementation of bilateral defense cooperation are unclear.
- The extent of cooperation beyond trade and security arrangements is unclear.