The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that she will host the visit of Nanaia Mahuta, Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, from November 23 to 25.
On November 24, Minister Joly will meet with Minister Mahuta to underscore the strong and growing ties between the two countries, the importance of upholding the rules-based international order and the need to address climate change. The meeting will provide an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between the two countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, will also meet with Minister Mahuta to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Indigenous peoples and support for a collaborative approach, led by Indigenous Peoples and enabled by governments, and to discuss key topics, such as economic and cultural development.
On November 25, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, will hold a bilateral meeting with Minister Mahuta to discuss trade and investment opportunities for both countries, Indigenous businesses, women-owned business and small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, will also meet with Minister Mahuta to deepen co-operation on regional developments to advance diversity and inclusion.
Finally, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, will also speak with Minister Mahuta to engage on opportunities to further collaborate on Indigenous affairs.
Minister Mahuta and her delegation have been fully vaccinated and will follow Canada's COVID-19 testing requirements.
Quotes
"Canada and New Zealand have been close friends and partners for a long time. We have a shared history of supporting and benefiting from a wide range of issues, from multilateral trade and regional cooperation, to support for the environment, Indigenous issues, education and culture. I look forward to welcoming Minister Mahuta alongside my colleagues to highlight the enduring and growing relationship between our two countries and to strengthen our already very close bond."
- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
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This will be the first meeting between ministers Joly and Mahuta, and Minister Mahuta's first visit to Canada as foreign affairs minister.
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Canada and New Zealand share a strong commitment to multilateralism and the protection of human rights. The two countries work together at the UN, in the Commonwealth, in the Five Eyes, in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum.
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In 2020, the value of bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and New Zealand totalled nearly $1.2 billion. Exports from Canada reached $378.6 million, while imports to Canada increased to $815.1 million, making Canada New Zealand's 17th-largest export market.
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As a trading nation and in the spirit of Canada's inclusive approach to trade, Canada's Trade Diversification Strategy advances initiatives to help underrepresented groups, including Indigenous businesses, enter the global marketplace. In October 2018, Canada led an Indigenous trade mission to the World Indigenous Business Forum in Rotorua, New Zealand.
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Canada and New Zealand contribute to the Kiwa Initiative. This project focuses on strengthening the resilience of the ecosystems, economies and communities of Pacific countries and territories by setting up a dedicated one-stop shop for funding projects that promote nature-based solutions. Canada is a principal contributing donor to the Kiwa Initiative.
