Relationship dossier
New Zealand
Taiwan
Relationship assessment
Durable unofficial economic ties operate within New Zealand's one-China policy.
New Zealand toward Taiwan
+35New Zealand concluded the ANZTEC trade agreement with Taiwan and maintains practical economic and mobility cooperation. It also supports Taiwan's participation in international organizations where statehood is not a requirement, while its one-China policy limits formal diplomatic engagement.
Taiwan toward New Zealand
+35Taiwan concluded the ANZTEC trade agreement with New Zealand and participates in bilateral economic and mobility arrangements, including a working holiday scheme. These provide concrete channels for cooperation without formal diplomatic relations.
Overall relationship
+30The relationship is characterized by durable unofficial economic and practical cooperation, including a bilateral trade agreement and mobility arrangements. New Zealand's one-China policy limits formal diplomatic relations, but does not prevent substantive engagement in areas such as trade.
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
New Zealand and Taiwan maintain substantial unofficial economic and people-to-people cooperation despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations. The 2013 ANZTEC trade agreement provides a durable framework for economic ties, alongside arrangements such as a working holiday scheme. New Zealand's one-China policy constrains the formal scope of the relationship.
Areas of tension
- New Zealand's one-China policy limits the scope for formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Key developments
New Zealand and Taiwan signed the ANZTEC economic cooperation agreement, establishing a framework for bilateral trade and economic ties.
New Zealand and Taiwan established a working holiday scheme to facilitate temporary stays and cultural exchange.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of bilateral cooperation beyond trade and mobility arrangements are unclear.
- The extent of Taiwan's participation in New Zealand-supported international initiatives is uncertain.