Estonia and New Zealand maintain warm and developing relations. Although geographically distant, the two countries share common values, systems of government, and continue to co-operate in international affairs both via NATO and bilaterally. New Zealand was a destination for Estonian refugees in the aftermath of World War II and, to this day, there are thousands of people in New Zealand with connections to Estonia.[1]
Estonian-New Zealand co-operation focuses on the areas of cyber security, education, and European Union relations. Estonia has supported New Zealand's campaigns for the United Nations Security Council[2] and has received similar support for their own campaign.[3] Both countries maintain mutual visa-free travel arrangements.
In a 2018 meeting with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, President Kersti Kaljulaid said "Estonia and New Zealand share similar values and are making active preparations for future challenges, ranging from digital society and artificial intellect to climate change".[citation needed]
The 20th Governor-General of New Zealand Sir Jerry Mateparae has said that the two countries share similar commitments to innovation, rule of law, democratic governance, international security, and the development of human rights. Estonia and New Zealand worked together to help ensure peace and security in Afghanistan.[1]
According to a representative from the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2017, Estonia's relationship with New Zealand had improved in the preceding years.[3]
Estonia is accredited to New Zealand from its embassy in Canberra, Australia.[4] New Zealand is accredited to Estonia from its embassy in Warsaw, Poland.[5]
History
Bilateral relations have existed between the two countries since 1921.
Like Australia, New Zealand was a destination for Estonian refugees following World War II. During the aftermath of the war, people from Estonia (and other Baltic states) were preferred by the New Zealand government over displaced persons from other countries. Between 1945 and 1956, the number of Estonians increased from 45 to 240.[6] Many Estonians became very successful in New Zealand. A notable example was chess player Estonian-New Zealander Ortvin Sarapuu "Mr. Chess" who represented New Zealand in 10 chess Olympiads.[7]
Relations between Estonia and New Zealand improved upon the accession of Estonia to the EU. In 2004, Phil Goff was the first New Zealand Foreign Minister to visit Estonia.[8] In 2006, the first bilateral treaty between New Zealand and Estonia, which established a working holiday scheme between the two countries, was signed.[9] In 2009, Urmas Paet was the first Estonian Foreign Minister to visit New Zealand.[10]
Joint work between New Zealand and Estonia occurs in the areas of cyber-security and European Union-Pacific affairs. Through their status as a NATO partner country, New Zealand works closely with Estonia on cyber-security issues.[13] In 2014, New Zealand minister Amy Adams met with the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre in Tallinn.[14]
Estonia has sought to improve European and Pacific relations. Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative Rainer Saks attended a meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum along with New Zealand and other Pacific nations.[3]
There have also been discussions between education ministries on what New Zealand could learn from Estonia's progress in lifting educational achievement.[15]
Trade
New Zealand exports to Estonia and imports from Estonia from 2015 to 2022 in New Zealand dollars
For the year ended March 2022, New Zealand exports to Estonia totalled US$5.7 million and Estonian exports to New Zealand totalled US$11.69 million.[16] Notably, while Estonia produces a high proportion of consumed meat domestically, significant imports of lamb and mutton come from New Zealand.[17] Trade between the two nations has grown markedly since 2015, with the sum value of imports and exports increasing over 370% from US$4.69 million in 2015 to US$17.38 million in 2022.[citation needed]
Visitor numbers between the two countries remain modest. Travel between the two countries increased in the two decades following Estonia's EU membership.
In 2000, Statistics New Zealand recorded exactly zero visits by New Zealanders to Estonia. In 2005, one year after Estonia's EU membership, 50 visits were recorded. By 2019, this number had risen to 256 annual visits.[18]
It is far more common for Estonians to visit New Zealand than vice-versa and the number of visits has grown. In 2000, just 30 visits were recorded. By 2005, this had increased to 253. By 2019, this had risen to 793 visits.[18]
Out of the Baltic states, Estonia is the most popular tourism destination for New Zealanders. Similarly, the most common visitor to New Zealand from a Baltic state is an Estonian citizen.[18]
Agreements
In 2007, a working holiday scheme was established between Estonia and New Zealand. This allows New Zealand and Estonian citizens aged 18–30 to stay and work in the other country for up to 12 months. New Zealand issues up to 100 visas per year and there is no cap on the number of visas issued by Estonia. This agreement came into force on 5 November 2007.[19] Three other countries (Australia, Canada, and Japan) have similar agreements with Estonia.[20]
In the first year of the program, 34 visas were issued to Estonian citizens. Visa issuance steadily increased from 2007 to 2011 and in every year except 2020 and 2021, the maximum number of visas were issued.[21]
Trivia
In 2010, there was a minor controversy surrounding inappropriate minsterial expenses by Foreign Minister Winston Peters on his 2006 visit to Estonia. An Official Information Act request revealed that he had made multiple personal purchases on diplomatic trips. One such expense was at the Reval Hotel Olümpia, where Peters, an avid smoker, received a €127.82 fine for 'a bed cover being burnt by cigarette'.[22]
