ASEAN & NZ: 50 Years of Dialogue

In 2025, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and New Zealand celebrate 50 years of formal dialogue relations—a milestone underscoring half a century of diplomatic, economic, and cultural engagement between this country and one of the world’s most dynamic regional groupings.

From humble beginnings, the ASEAN–New Zealand relationship has matured into a robust, multifaceted partnership founded on mutual respect, shared values, and a commitment to regional peace and prosperity.

ASEAN was founded in August 1967 in Bangkok by five Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The primary aim was to promote political and economic cooperation and regional stability, amid the Cold War's ideological divisions and emerging regional conflicts – not least the war in Vietnam.

Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia saw the formation of ASEAN as an effective way to present a united front against communist insurgencies both from within, and from neighbouring nations.

Since then, ASEAN has grown to include ten member states with Brunei Darussalam (1984), Vietnam (1995), Laos and Myanmar (1997), and Cambodia (1999) joining later.

The organisation has grown into a central player in the Indo-Pacific, spearheading regional initiatives on trade, security, connectivity, and climate resilience.

The ASEAN Charter, adopted in 2008, elevated the association to a rules-based intergovernmental organisation.

ASEAN's community-building work is mainly through three streams: the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).

New Zealand and ASEAN

New Zealand became one of ASEAN’s earliest dialogue partners in 1975.

As a small trading nation at the bottom of the world, New Zealand recognised the value of an organisation representing the interests of potential future partners in Asia.

As the full impact of Britain’s absorption into the European Common Market in 1973 began to hit home, formally recognising ASEAN was one of the last acts of the Third Labour government, before its defeat at the polls by Rob Muldoon’s National Party in November 1975.

In August 1977, following the Second ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, PM Muldoon met with ASEAN Heads of Government. This meeting underscored New Zealand's interest in Southeast Asia and its commitment to regional dialogue.

As Muldoon famously stated in 1980: “Our foreign policy is trade. We are not interested in the normal foreign policy matters to any great extent, we are interested in trade.”

This perspective influenced New Zealand's approach to international relations, including its engagement with ASEAN, focusing on economic cooperation and trade partnerships with nations far closer to New Zealand.

ASEAN Secretary General Dr Kao Kim Hourn with NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters

Over the decades, the ASEAN–New Zealand relationship has deepened through structured dialogue, free trade negotiations, development programs, and people-to-people linkages. Notably, New Zealand was among the first to support ASEAN’s efforts to establish a nuclear-free Southeast Asia and promote regional security architecture through ASEAN-led forums such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit.

In Wellington this week, the ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn commented on the five decades of the ASEAN-New Zealand relationship.

“ASEAN has served as a vital bridge for New Zealand to be with Asia and in Asia, firmly anchoring its presence and active participation in our dynamic and thriving region.”

Trade and investment form a cornerstone of ASEAN–New Zealand ties. In 2009, the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) came into effect, creating one of the most comprehensive FTA’s in the region.

Two-way trade between New Zealand and ASEAN now exceeds $NZ20 billion, with major exports including dairy, meat, and education services - while ASEAN exports to New Zealand cover electronics, machinery, and food as well as a sizable slice of the local tourism industry.

As international groupings go, New Zealand is now seriously plugged into ASEAN, funding capacity-building initiatives through the ASEAN-New Zealand Free Trade Area Economic Cooperation Work Programme, helping member states implement trade reforms, improve digital integration, and build sustainable development strategies.

The ASEAN-New Zealand Plan of Action (2021–2025) emphasises climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, education, women's empowerment, and youth development.

Flagship programs such as the ASEAN Young Leaders Programme, English Language Training for Officials (ELTO), and the Scholarships for ASEAN Students have all enhanced people-to-people ties and cultivated future leaders with cross-cultural understanding.

New Zealand also funds climate-smart agriculture, supports renewable energy transitions, and backs ASEAN's disaster management and emergency response agencies.

In an era marked by great power rivalry, supply chain reconfigurations, and non-traditional security threats, ASEAN and New Zealand share a vision of a free, open, and inclusive region.

New Zealand’s Indo-Pacific strategy, while still developing, emphasises partnerships, multilateralism, and support for the long-discussed concept of ASEAN centrality.

New Zealand's Ambassador to ASEAN, Joanna Anderson

ASEAN Secretary General Dr Kao Kim Hourn sees the centrality question as essential to ASEAN’s development and survival, and he regards the relationship with New Zealand as an enduring testament.

“As middle and smaller powers in the global arena, we share a profound interest in preserving the international rules-based order that safeguards the rights and prosperity of all nations regardless of size.” he says.

“Our partnership exemplifies how like-minded nations can amplify their collective influence to shape global norms and standards.”   

New Zealand traditionally identifies as a Pacific nation, but its 2021 Indo-Pacific Strategy and subsequent foreign policy statements show a broadening perspective that includes the Indo-Pacific.

While not as assertive in the region as Australia or the US, New Zealand emphasises multilateralism, and an inclusive regionalism—principles closely aligned with ASEAN’s own outlook.

The ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) does the same thing, while upholding broader concepts of sovereignty, peaceful dispute resolution, and sustainable development.

As ASEAN and New Zealand commemorate the 50th anniversary of dialogue relations in 2025, both parties are poised to enhance collaboration in emerging areas: digital transformation, cybersecurity, green transition, and sustainable tourism.

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, during a visit to Southeast Asia, put it this way:

“Our relationship with ASEAN is not just about governments. It’s about the people, the students, the entrepreneurs, and the communities that make this partnership real.”

The current PM Christopher Luxon has also prioritised strengthening ties with ASEAN, announcing plans to elevate the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

“It's more important than ever that New Zealand works with ASEAN countries to find ways to support prosperity and security in the region.”

New Zealand will host the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Leaders' Summit in Malaysia in November 2025, marking 50 years of dialogue relations.

ASEAN Secretary General Dr Kao Kim Hourn with Asia NZ Foundation CE Suzannah Jessep

But the 50-year ASEAN–New Zealand dialogue partnership is more than a diplomatic milestone, it’s a monument to shared aspirations and evolving synergies in an increasingly complicated region. From strategic trust to economic connectivity and cultural exchange, the relationship reflects a commitment to shaping a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable future for the wider Indo-Pacific region.

 This anniversary gives both parties cause to reflect on what’s been achieved, and a chance to consider a future involving an even deeper cooperation in the decades to come.

Asia Media Centre