New Zealand–Singapore relations

Singapore - New Zealand relations refers to the bilateral relations between the Republic of Singapore and New Zealand. Singapore has an high commission in Wellington. Likewise, New Zealand has a high commission in Singapore. Singapore and New Zealand are both members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Five Power Defence Arrangements pact.

History

New Zealand established ties with British Singapore in 1955. The first New Zealander Commissioner to Singapore was Foss Shanahan.

Under New Zealand Prime Minister Keith Holyoake, New Zealand gave recognition to Singapore's independence in 1965, one of the first few country to do so. Diplomatic relations was also established the same year with both countries exchanging High Commissioners. Singapore's first High Commissioner to New Zealand was Ken M Byrne. New Zealand's first High Commission to Singapore was Brian Lendrum.

Diplomatic Relations

In June 2011, a parliamentary delegation led by the Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament, Abdullah Tarmugi, visited the New Zealand Parliament. Speaker Abdullah will be accompanied by three Singaporean members of Parliament, Ms Ellen Lee, Mr Vikram Nair and Mr Patrick Tay, who have a keen interest in New Zealand. Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament said "the New Zealand and Singaporean Parliaments share a common unicameral Westminster-style system, and this visit will provide an opportunity to examine how the New Zealand Parliament works in relation to Singaporean system. The visit has also broaden the Singapore-New Zealand bilateral relationship.

Economic Relations

Main Article: Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership

The Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership (CEP) entered into force on 1 January 2001. It is the most comprehensive trading agreement, outside of Closer Economic Relations with Australia, that New Zealand has negotiated. The CEP aims to build on the close historical ties between Singapore and New Zealand by improving opportunities for trade in goods, services and investment.

Over the 2 years since the agreement came into effect, Singapore's bilateral trade with New Zealand rose from $0.97 billion (2000) to S$1.09 billion (2002), an increase of 12.6%. Beyond providing improved market access, the ANZSCEP also brings economic cooperation between Singapore and New Zealand to new heights. In 2002, New Zealand set up her first overseas technology center in Singapore to support New Zealand companies in commercializing technologies and internationalizing business.

Defence

Both countries are signatories to the Five Power Defence Arrangements which are a series of defence relationships established by a series of bilateral agreements between the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore signed in 1971, whereby the five states will consult each other in the event of external aggression or threat of attack against Singapore.

In 2012, more than 600 Singapore Armed Forces personnel converged on the Waiouru Military Training Area in New Zealand for the annual Thunder Warrior exercise. Chief of Army, Major General Tim Keating of New Zealand met with Singaporean counterpart Major General Ravinder Singh. M.G. Keating said the exercise was an excellent opportunity to cement the Singapore Armed Forces-New Zealand Defence Forces relationship, which was very important to both countries, and he was confident M.G. Singh and his party left New Zealand with a positive impression of their ongoing interaction with the New Zealand Army. The Singaporeans' visit enhanced what is already a strong military and personal relationship, he said. M.G. Keating when on to say that Singapore and New Zealand are "good military neighbours" and the two countries discussed issues of mutual concern, and mutual opportunities which may benefit both armies. New Zealand's relationship with Singapore had developed over a number of decades since the inception of the Singaporean Army.

Aid

In February 2011, after an earthquake that hit Christchurch, New Zealand, a 116-strong Singapore Armed Forces team began to assist the New Zealand Defence Force and local authorities with rescue operations and providing humanitarian aid to victims of the earthquake. Singapore's Defence Ministry said the SAF personnel have been deployed to help the NZDF with cordon operations to ensure the safety and security of the residents whose lives and homes have been affected by the earthquake. Singapore also dispatched a 55-member Singapore Civil Defence Force urban search and rescue team and an SAF command team to assist in the disaster relief efforts. The Singapore contingent departed from Paya Lebar Air Base in two RSAF C-130s and one KC-135 military aircraft. The KC-135 aircraft arrived in Christchurch and have been evacuating civilians out of the earthquake zone to Auckland.

Diplomatic Representation

Singapore is represented in New Zealand through the High Commission in Wellington. The current Singapore High Commissioner to the New Zealand is Justice (Ret.) MPH Rubin. New Zealand is represented in Singapore through the High Commission in Singapore. The current New Zealand High Commission to Singapore is Peter Hamilton.