Country Profile

New zealand, a country situated in the south-western pacific ocean, became an independent nation in 1907. Comprised of two large islands and numerous smaller islands, new zealand is being bordered with australia to the northwest by the tasman sea. New caledonia, fiji and tonga are the neighboring countries. New zealand is spread into the area of total 268,680 sq km, endowed with the natural resources of iron ore, sand, coal, timber, gold, hydro power and limestone. New zealand is enrich with the total 2,850 sq km irrigation land and have a good source of the renewable water resources, which is stood at 397 cu km. Parliamentary democracy of new zealand is governed by the prime minister. Characterized for its modern, technological economy, new zealand has made a remarkable rise in GDP, having $112.6 billion on account. The nation has marked 1.8% industrial production growth rate by exporting dairy products, wood, meat, machinery to australia, usa, japan, china & uk. New zealand earns around $28.12 billion export amount.

Snapshot

Economic Overview

• Agrarian economy to a more industrialised free market.
• Dependent on trade, especially agricultural products which contributes almost half of the its exports.
• Total exports contributes to 20% of the GDP.
• Low New Zealand dollar, favourable weather, and high commodity prices have boosted exports.
• Foreign Direct Investments are very high, especially concerning banking and insurance sectors.

International Trade
Major Export Items
Dairy Products, Wool, Mutton & Lamb (40% of world-wide exports), Wood and Wood Products, Fish, Crustaceans and Molluscs, Mechanical Machinery, Fruit, Aluminium and Related Articles.

Main Destinations of Exports
Australia, US, Japan, China, UK

Major Import Items
Machinery and Equipment, Vehicles, Parts & Accessories and Aircraft, Petroleum, Electronics & Electrical Machinery, Textiles and Related Articles, Plastics and Related Articles.

Main Origins of Imports
Australia, US, Japan, China, Germany

Contacts of Trade Ministries/ Associations

Business Visa Rules
The allowable activities of business visitors in New Zealand are limited to the following:

• To attend any business meetings or discussions.
• To attend any sales calls to potential client in the country.
• To attend any seminars or "fact-finding" meetings.

Basic requirements for obtaining business visa are as follows:

• The applicant must have a residence and an employer outside New Zealand
• The applicant must be traveling to New Zealand for a defined, limited period and have pre-determined plans
• The applicant must not receive any compensation from sources within New Zealand; and,
• The applicant's period of intended stay must be consistent with the intended purpose of the trip.

Note :- Usually visitor visas are granted for the maximum period of 3 months at a time. There is no specific visa category to cover short-term, technical activities.

Business Hours
8.00 am to 5.00 pm - Offices and Businesses (Monday to Friday)
9.00 am to 5.00 pm - Shops (On Thrusdays and Fridays until 9.00 pm)

Public Holidays