NZ and Thailand launch Strategic Partnership

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul have formally launched the New Zealand-Thailand Strategic Partnership in Auckland. “Prime Minister Anutin’s visit to New Zealand has set a clear direction for our relationship built over 70 years of friendship, trust and close connections between our people,” Mr Luxon says. The leaders discussed their ambition to triple two-way trade to NZ$13.5 billion by 2045. “Thailand’s scale, manufacturing capability and regional connections create significant opportunities for New Zealand exporters and companies,” Mr Luxon says. “Upgrading our trade agreement and strengthening supply-chain resilience will help more New Zealand businesses reach Thailand as a gateway to ASEAN’s market of more than 600 million consumers.” The leaders also welcomed Thai Airways’ planned resumption of direct flights in the coming year. “Thai Airways served Auckland for more than 30 years before the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the service. Its return is great news for tourism and trade - making it easier to connect, restoring an important air-freight link and strengthening connections through Bangkok to wider Asia,” Mr Luxon says. “We