New Zealand–Poland relations

New Zealand–Poland relations

New Zealand
Poland

New Zealand–Poland relations refers to the diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Poland. Both nations are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations.

History

Memorial to the Polish Children of Pahiatua

The first Polish people to arrive to New Zealand were accompanying Captain James Cook on his second voyage to the Pacific in 1772.[1] In the 1840s, Polish migrants began settling in New Zealand escaping war and poverty in their native country.[1] In the 1930s, diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Poland were conducted via-London when New Zealand was a Dominion. Poland maintained a consulate in Wellington.[2]

During World War II, New Zealand soldiers fought alongside their Polish counterparts during the Battle of Britain and the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy. In 1944, over 700 Polish children (mainly orphans) and 103 adults were settled in New Zealand. Most of the refugees had survived deportation to the Soviet Union and escaped to New Zealand via Persia (today known as Iran) and settled in the town of Pahiatua on the North Island of New Zealand.[3] At the end of the war, more than 200 former soldiers and 700 displaced people from Poland were resettled to New Zealand.[4]

On 1 March 1973 New Zealand and Poland formally established diplomatic relations.[5] Initially, relations between the two nations were limited during the Cold War. In 2004, Poland joined the European Union and opened an embassy in Wellington.[2] In April 2005, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark paid an official visit to Poland and opened the New Zealand embassy in Warsaw. She is the only Prime Minister of New Zealand to visit the country.[6] In May 2008, a Working holiday visa scheme agreement was signed between both nations.[7] In March 2013, both nations celebrated 40 years of diplomatic relations.[8] Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski paid a visit to New Zealand to commemorate the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Trade

In 2015, total trade between both nations amounted to $127 million USD.[9] New Zealand's main exports to Poland include: fish fillets, wool, iron and steel structures and their parts. Poland's main exports to New Zealand include: trucks and vans, harvesting machinery, telephones and cell phones.[9] In April 2005, a double taxation agreement was signed between both nations.[7]

Resident diplomatic missions

Embassy of New Zealand in Warsaw
Embassy of Poland in Wellington

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Te Ara: The first arrivals
  2. 1 2 Embassy of Poland in Wellington: Political cooperation
  3. ↑ Polish refugees land in New Zealand
  4. ↑ Te Ara: Displaced persons
  5. ↑ Embassy of Poland in Wellington: Bilateral Cooperation
  6. ↑ Beehive: Address at state luncheon in Poland
  7. 1 2 Embassy of Poland in Wellington: Bilateral agreements
  8. ↑ Celebrations of the 40th anniversary of Poland - New Zealand relations officially began
  9. 1 2 New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Poland
  10. ↑ Embassy of New Zealand in Warsaw
  11. ↑ Embassy of Poland in Wellington
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