Brunei Bilateral Linkages
New Zealand has always maintained friendly relations with Brunei. Much of the past contact has been related to Brunei's membership of ASEAN. The end of Brunei's three-year role as ASEAN's New Zealand country coordinator in July 2000 coincided with the 25th anniversary of NZ-ASEAN Dialogue relations. Brunei and New Zealand were both involved in the EAS in December 2005.
New Zealand and Brunei enjoy a degree of cooperation in many areas including trade, investment, education and defence. The New Zealand High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur is accredited to Brunei. Brunei's High Commissioner to New Zealand is resident in Canberra.
Brunei nationals visiting New Zealand for periods of up to three months do not require a visa. In 1999 Brunei extended its visa waiver for New Zealand citizens visiting Brunei from 14 days to 30 days.
In 2004, the newly formed New Zealand Association in Brunei was officially registered. The Association aims to represent the interests of the expatriate New Zealand community in Brunei and to be a focal point for social and community activities.
Visits
To Brunei
- Former Finance Minister Hon Trevor Mallard visited Brunei for the Commonwealth Finance Ministers' Meeting, in September 2003.
- Rt Hon Helen Clark, then Prime Minister, visited Brunei in November 2000 for the 8th APEC Leaders meeting.
- Other then Ministers to visit Brunei include Hon Phil Goff, Hon Jim Sutton, Hon Dr Michael Cullen, and Hon Pete Hodgson.
To New Zealand
- In February 2006 and August 2008 the Brunei Minister of Education visited New Zealand.
- His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Brunei visited New Zealand in March 2003.
- The Sultan also attended the APEC Leaders' Meeting in Auckland in September 1999.
- In March 1999 the Brunei Minister of Communications visited New Zealand to sign the "open skies" Air Services Agreement.
- The Sultan and Prime Minister of Brunei, HM Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, visited New Zealand twice in 1995.
Last updated: 14 January 2009
