Denmark–New Zealand relations are the foreign relations between Denmark and New Zealand. , neither country has a resident ambassador. Denmark is represented in New Zealand through its embassy in Canberra (Australia), a trade commission in Sydney, and honorary consulates in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.Danish Consulates - New Zealand New Zealand is represented in Denmark through its embassy in Stockholm. The New Zealand government describes relations as "good" and records a high degree of agreement on international affairs.
Both countries are full members of the OECD, and in certain contexts ally themselves with the United States. Denmark is a 'third party' to the UK-USA Security Agreement, of which New Zealand is a member.Denmark: Political spotlight on ECHELON. Intelligence 110, 17 January 2000. ISSN 1245-2122.
History
There is a small Danish community in New Zealand, descended from a group of early settlers who came to clear thick North Island bush, in the middle years of the 19th century, and stayed to found settlements including Dannevirke and Norsewood. A former Prime Minister and high-ranking churchman from Denmark, Danish Prime Minister, Bishop Ditlev Gothard Monrad, settled in Karere near Palmerston North in the 1860s, and set up the first dairy plant in the region. Monrad returned to Denmark after a stay of three years, but other members of his family stayed in New Zealand. He left behind his collection of art now housed at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Other Danes came to the Seventy Mile Bush area in 1872 and founded the town which retains the Danish name of Dannevirke, commemorating the Danevirke in Slesvig. The other town created by the Danes was Norsewood.
In 1946, the two countries signed an agreement regarding 'exchange of notes', and other property held during World War II. In 2009 Carol Stigley was appointed by the Queen of Denmark, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II as Consul General of Denmark to New Zealand. In 2024 Karen Pullar, who was appointed Honorary Consul General - Wellington in 2015, was made a knight of the Order of the Dannebrog in recognition of her service in the interests of Denmark.
Trade Denmark and New Zealand have been major competitors in the British food-products market since the early 1900s.David Greasley, "A Tale of Two Peripheries: Real Wages in Denmark and New Zealand 1875-1939", Scandinavian Economic History Review, Volume 54, Issue 2 July 2006, pages 116 - 136 Denmark's desire for access to the United Kingdom's dairy market influenced the negotiations for the United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community in the 1970s, and thus had a substantial impact on New Zealand's economy in the following years.
Agreements The two countries have agreements covering double taxation,Double Tax Agreement: Denmark , Policy Advice Division, New Zealand Inland Revenue Department. Retrieved 29 April 2009. pensions, and other social security payments.Country Report on the Legal Status of Volunteers in Denmark (PDF), Association of Voluntary Service Organisations and the European Volunteer Centre. Retrieved 29 April 2009. working holidays, and air services.Skyscanner website for direct flights from NZ to Dk. Accessed April 29, 2009. New Zealand has encouraged immigration of temporary workers from Denmark,NZ Government website on Immigration from Denmark . Accessed April 29, 2009. and vice versa for working holidays by New Zealand citizens to Denmark.Am I eligible for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa?, Visa First. Accessed May 1, 2009.New to Denmark website. Accessed April 29, 2009.
Bilateral visits Queen Margrethe II of Denmark made an official state visit to New Zealand in February 1987.Else Boelskifte, "Dronningens statsbesøg" , Jyllands-Posten, February 4, 2008 Other visits between the two nations include a November 1998 visit to New Zealand by Niels Helveg Petersen, the Danish Foreign Minister; and Phil Goff, the New Zealand Foreign Minister visiting Denmark in September 2002. Resident diplomatic missions Denmark is accredited to New Zealand from its embassy in Canberra, Australia. New Zealand is accredited to Denmark from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
See also Foreign relations of Denmark Foreign relations of New Zealand
References
External links Danish Trade Commission in Sydney New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade about relations with Denmark The Danish Society (Inc), Auckland Danish Consulates in New Zealand Embassy of Denmark, Canberra