New Zealand–South Africa relations
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New Zealand–South Africa relations refers to the diplomatic relations between New Zealand and South Africa. Both countries are members of the
Cairns Group The Cairns Group (Cairns Group of Fair Trading Nations) is an interest group of 19 agricultural exporting countries, composed of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakist ...
, Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations.


History

Both nations are historically linked through the British Empire. Although there was very little contact between both territories at the time; between 1899 and 1902, New Zealand contributed over 6,000 soldiers to fight alongside the British during the Second Boer War to fight against primarily Afrikaans-speaking settlers of the Transvaal Republic and Orange Free State.South African 'Boer' War: New Zealand and the South African War
/ref> Approximately 230 New Zealanders lost their lives in the war which resulted in a British win over the whole of South Africa. During World War I and World War II; soldiers from both New Zealand and South Africa fought alongside each other in Europe and North Africa. South Africa obtained its independence from Great Britain in 1934 while New Zealand obtained its independence in 1947. After World War II, South Africa adopted the policy of apartheid against the majority black South African population. New Zealand maintained diplomatic relations with the country until controversy erupted during the
1981 South Africa rugby union tour The 1981 South African rugby tour (known in New Zealand as the Springbok Tour, and in South Africa as the Rebel Tour) polarised opinions and inspired widespread protests across New Zealand. The controversy also extended to the United States, wh ...
of New Zealand which led to mass protest against the South African government's policy on apartheid. In 1984, New Zealand severed diplomatic relations with South Africa.Picketing the South African consulate, 1977
Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
This followed the election of the
Labour Labour or labor may refer to: * Childbirth, the delivery of a baby * Labour (human activity), or work ** Manual labour, physical work ** Wage labour, a socioeconomic relationship between a worker and an employer ** Organized labour and the labour ...
government of David Lange, which pledged to close the South African consulate in Wellington. After the release of
Nelson Mandela Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (; ; 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was a South African Internal resistance to apartheid, anti-apartheid activist who served as the President of South Africa, first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1 ...
from prison and progress on the negotiations to end apartheid in South Africa came to fruition; New Zealand re-established diplomatic relations with South Africa on 19 January 1994. In May 1994, New Zealand Prime Minister Jim Bolger attended the inauguration of Nelson Mandela. In 1995, South Africa hosted the Rugby World Cup and the last game was between New Zealand and South Africa; which deepened the relationship between both fans and politicians of both nations. In November that same year, President Nelson Mandela paid an official visit to New Zealand. In 1996 New Zealand opened a High Commission in Pretoria and South Africa followed suit by opening a High Commission in Wellington in 2009.


Migration

In 2013, there was an estimated community of 54,200 South Africans residing in New Zealand. Most of the community arrived to New Zealand after the end of apartheid in South Africa and most came for economic, safety and lifestyle reasons.


Trade

In 2017, two-way trade between both nations amounted US$277 million.New Zealand trade
/ref> New Zealand's main export products to South Africa include: dairy products, electronics, machinery and pharmaceuticals. South Africa's main export products to New Zealand include: vehicles, fishing ships, fruits, minerals and machinery.


Resident diplomatic missions

* New Zealand has a high commission in Pretoria. * South Africa has a high commission in Wellington.High Commission of South Africa in Wellington
/ref>


See also

* South African New Zealanders


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:New Zealand-South Africa South Africa Bilateral relations of South Africa New Zealand and the Commonwealth of Nations South Africa and the Commonwealth of Nations