Croatian Embassy to open in New Zealand

Gordan Grlić Radman and Winston Peters (Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs/MEVP)

On December 8, 2023, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Gordan Grlić Radman, commenced his official visit to New Zealand with a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, Winston Peters, where the opening of a Croatian embassy in Wellington was announced.

The ministers agreed that the relations between Croatia and New Zealand are very good and friendly, with a significant link being the numerous and influential Croatian community. Notably, Croats are the only immigrant group that has received the tribal name Tarara, reflecting their connection with the Maori people.

With over 100,000 people of Croatian descent in New Zealand, the ministers discussed geopolitical consequences of the Russian aggression in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and the Southeast European region. New Zealand expressed its support for Croatia’s accession to the OECD. The ministers also discussed Croatia’s announcement to engage in negotiations next year on the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, the Ministry said in a press release. 

During the meeting, they explored topics such as strengthening trade exchange and possibilities for collaboration in tourism, energy, port utilization, and IT. Both parties emphasized that the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EU and New Zealand in July 2023 opens new opportunities for trade and investments, given the facilitated access of New Zealand to the European market. The ministers welcomed collaboration within the framework of the EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and New Zealand’s participation in the Horizon Europe program.

Minister Grlić Radman is the first Minister of Foreign Affairs to make an official visit to New Zealand and the first minister to visit colleague Peters in the newly formed New Zealand government.

The Minister also met with the Minister of Trade, Todd McClay, discussing bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Minister Grlić Radman emphasized the promotion of trade exchange, highlighting the benefits that both sides can achieve through stronger economic ties. Concrete measures to enhance trade relations were considered.

In a meeting with the Chief Justice of New Zealand, Helen Winkelmann, they discussed cooperation in the field of justice, highlighting the significant role of numerous individuals of Croatian descent in the New Zealand judiciary.

He also met with parliamentary representatives of Croatian descent, including the Minister of Maritime, Fisheries, Regional Development, and Resources, Shane Jones, and representatives Tanya Unkovich and Camilla Belich.

During his stay in Wellington, the Minister met with the Croatian community at the Croatian Club Wellington, led by Ester Andrijolić, actively contributing to the preservation of culture through the teaching of the Croatian language and enriching the Croatian library. The Minister announced the opening of the Embassy in Wellington, strengthening the connection between Croatia and New Zealand, where Croats have left an immeasurable impact in all social areas.

The Minister emphasized, “I firmly believe that establishing a Croatian diplomatic mission in New Zealand not only reflects deep ties and support for the Croatian community but also underscores the excellent bilateral relations between our two countries, sharing the same values and goals of democracy, freedom, peace, and prosperity.”