Denmark–New Zealand relations

Danish-New Zealand relations

New Zealand	Denmark

Denmark-New Zealand relations are the foreign relations between Denmark and New Zealand. As of 2009^[update] neither country has a resident ambassador. Denmark is represented in New Zealand through its embassy in Canberra (Australia), a trade commission in Auckland, and honorary consulates in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.^[1][2] New Zealand is represented in Denmark through its embassy in The Hague, (Netherlands) and an honorary consulate in Copenhagen.^[3] The New Zealand government describes relations as "good" and records a high degree of agreement on international affairs.^[3]

Both countries are full members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and in certain contexts ally themselves with the United States. Denmark is a 'third party' to the UK-USA Security Agreement, of which New Zealand is a member.^[4]

History

There is a small Danish community in New Zealand, descended from a group of early settlers who came to clear thick North Island bush, in the middle years of the 20th century, and stayed to found settlements including Dannevirke and Norsewood. A former Prime Minister and high-ranking churchman from Denmark, Danish Prime Minister, Bishop Ditlev Gothard Monrad, settled in Karere near Palmerston North in the 1860s, and set up the first dairy plant in the region.^[3][5] Monrad returned to Denmark after a stay of three years, but other members of his family stayed in New Zealand. He left behind his collection of art now now housed at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Other Danes came to the Seventy Mile Bush area in 1872 and founded the town which retains the Danish name of Dannevirke, commemorating the Danevirke in Slesvig.^[3][6] The other town created by the Danes was Norsewood.^[3]

The New Zealand town of Dannevirke marks its Danish origins

In 1946, the two countries signed an agreement regarding 'exchange of notes', and other property held during World War II.^[7] In 2009 Carol Stigley was appointed by the Queen of Denmark, Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II as Consul General of Denmark to New Zealand.^[2]

Trade

Denmark and New Zealand have been major competitors in the British food-products market since the early 1900s.^[8] Denmark's desire for access to the United Kingdom's dairy market influenced the negotiations for the United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community in the 1970s, and thus had a substantial impact on New Zealand's economy in the following years.^[9]

Agreements

The two countries have agreements covering double taxation,^[10] pensions, and other social security payments.^[11] working holidays, and air services.^[3][12] New Zealand has encouraged immigration of temporary workers from Denmark,^[13] and vice-versa for working holidays by New Zealand citizens to Denmark.^[14][15]

Bilateral visits

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark made an official state visit to New Zealand in February 1987.^[16][17] Other visits between the two nations include a November 1998 visit to New Zealand by Niels Helveg Petersen, the Danish Foreign Minister; and Phil Goff, the New Zealand Foreign Minister visiting Denmark in September 2002.^[3]

See also

• Foreign relations of Denmark
• Foreign relations of New Zealand

References

1. ^ Danish Consulates - New Zealand
2. ^ ^{a b} Marett, Bethany (2 December 2009). "Danish Consul General born, raised in Timaru". Timaru Herald. http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/3116735/Danish-Consul-General-born-raised-in-Timaru. Retrieved 2009-12-05. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "Kingdom of Denmark Bilateral Relations". New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Europe/Denmark.php. Retrieved 2009-12-07. 
4. ^ Denmark: Political spotlight on ECHELON. Intelligence 110, 17 January 2000. ISSN 1245-2122.
5. ^ "Recent Publications". New Zealand Religious History Newsletter (Religious History Association of Aotearoa New Zealand) (20). October 2007. http://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/2292/1961/nzrhn2007.pdf. 
6. ^ MacDonald, J.R. (2008) [1903]. Geography of New Zealand. BiblioBazaar. p. 94. ISBN 9780554937304. http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=TmGx7jvhqBEC. Retrieved 2009-12-08. "Dannevirke [...] in the Upper Manawatu basin [...] This town was originally a Danish settlement in the Seventy-mile B[u]sh [...]" 
7. ^ "Treaties of 1946". United Nations. http://untreaty.un.org/unts/1_60000/1/9/00000417.pdf. Retrieved 2009-05-30. 
8. ^ David Greasley, "A Tale of Two Peripheries: Real Wages in Denmark and New Zealand 1875-1939", Scandinavian Economic History Review, Volume 54, Issue 2 July 2006, pages 116 - 136
9. ^ Robertson, Paul L.; John Singleton (1997). "Britain, Butter, and European Integration, 1957–1964". Economic History Review. doi:10.1111/1468-0289.00057. 
10. ^ Double Tax Agreement: Denmark, Policy Advice Division, New Zealand Inland Revenue Department. Retrieved 29 April 2009.
11. ^ Country Report on the Legal Status of Volunteers in Denmark (PDF), Association of Voluntary Service Organisations and the European Volunteer Centre. Retrieved 29 April 2009.
12. ^ Skyscanner website for direct flights from NZ to Dk. Accessed April 29, 2009.
13. ^ NZ Government website on Immigration from Denmark. Accessed April 29, 2009.
14. ^ Am I eligible for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa?, Visa First. Accessed May 1, 2009.
15. ^ New to Denmark website. Accessed April 29, 2009.
16. ^ "State Visits" (in Danish). Queen of Denmark. http://www.kongehuset.dk/publish.php?dogtag=k_dk_aktuelt_visit. Retrieved 2009-12-07. "1987 Australien og New Zealand" 
17. ^ Else Boelskifte, "Dronningens statsbesøg", Jyllands-Posten, Fenruary 4 2008

External links

• Danish Trade Commission in Auckland
• New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade about relations with Denmark
• The Danish Society (Inc), Auckland
• Danish Consulates in New Zealand
• Embassy of Denmark, Canberra
• Made from New Zealand page on Denmark