The Americas Division manages our relationship with the only remaining superpower, the United States of America, and our long-standing friend, Canada, and explores the exciting potential and new opportunities in Latin America.
Facsimile: +64 4 439 8516 Email: amer@mfat.govt.nz
There are three Asia divisions: South/South East Asia Division (SEA), North Asia Division (NAD) and Asia Regional Division (ARD). These divisions promote New Zealand's interests with the key economies of North Asia, which include five of our top ten markets (Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong SAR). They manage New Zealand's economic, political and security linkages with the countries of ASEAN which, beyond Australia and the South Pacific, are our nearest neighbours and important trade and investment partners. The divisions also promote New Zealand's economic interests with India and with the other countries of South Asia.
Facsimile: +64 4 439 8873 Email: sea@mfat.govt.nz, nad@mfat.govt.nz, ard@mfat.govt.nz
Australia Division manages New Zealand's most important bilateral relationship. Australia is our largest trading partner, a key defence ally and our principal source of tourists.
Facsimile: +64 4 439 8855 Email: aus@mfat.govt.nz
Europe Division manages New Zealand's key economic relationship with the European Union, and the economic and political relationships with the individual states of Europe. The Division represents New Zealand's interests in Russia, in other states of the former Soviet Union, and in the countries of central and eastern Europe.
Facsimile: +64 4 439 8523 Email: eur@mfat.govt.nz
This Division manages New Zealand's relations with a region spanning the Middle East - the supplier of more than half of our energy needs and a vital market for our sheepmeat and dairy products - and the whole of Africa - a focus of a revitalised Commonwealth, including the new South Africa.
Facsimile: +64 4 439 8521 Email: mea@mfat.govt.nz
The Pacific Division manages New Zealand's bilateral and multilateral relationships in the South Pacific region. The Division is involved in a wide range of issues including political and economic relations, trade relations, defence and regional security, environment and fisheries management, and disaster relief assistance.
Facsimile: +64 4 439 8856 Email: pac@mfat.govt.nz
The Special Relations Unit manages the special bilateral relationship between New Zealand and Niue. It also manages the unique relationship between New Zealand and one of the smallest and most vulnerable of our Pacific friends and neighbours, Tokelau.
The Special Relations Unit incorporates the Office of the Administrator of Tokelau. The Unit also manages New Zealand's overseas development assistance to Niue and Tokelau.
Facsimile: +64 4 439 8683 Email: sru@mfat.govt.nz
The MFAT Auckland Office facilitates the Ministry’s connection with a broad range of Auckland constituencies. It organises specialist briefings on international trade and foreign affairs issues. It also supports foreign and trade policy related visits to Auckland, including programmes for ambassadors prior to their departure for assignments abroad. The Office works with the business community and business councils, Auckland's cities, educational institutions, media, the consular corps and other interested organisations. See more details.
Tel: +64 9 303 5443 Email: akl@mft.govt.nz Address: PO Box 8680, Symonds Street, Auckland
Communications Division is responsible for communicating with people and groups outside traditional diplomatic channels. These range from interest groups closely engaged with the Ministry on specific issues to much larger audience both in New Zealand and overseas. To ensure that New Zealand's voice is heard in the world with clarity and consistency, the Division has a number of functions, including media relations, managing the Ministry's websites, cultural diplomacy, oversight of Ministry publications and input into all of the Ministry's public diplomacy and outreach efforts.
Facsimile: +64 4 439 8511 Email: cmd@mfat.govt.nz
Consular Division provides advice on the protection
of the interests and welfare of New Zealand citizens
abroad. It gives guidance and direction to overseas
posts and Honorary Consuls in the provision of
assistance to New Zealand citizens in difficulties
in foreign countries, the delivery of notarial
and other legal services, voting arrangements for
elections and referenda and services on behalf
of other government agencies. The division is also
responsible for the authentication of documents
for use overseas.
Facsimile: +64 4 439 8532 Email: cons@mfat.govt.nz
The Economic Division undertakes statistical and strategic trade and economic analysis to support the Ministry's key policy objectives. The Division covers areas including NZ Trade Statistics, biotechnology, immigration (including working holiday schemes), international science, education, tourism and generic promotion of foreign direct investment. It manages the trade access support programme (TASP).
Facsimile: +64 4 439 8545 Email: eco@mfat.govt.nz
The Environment Division was set up to coordinate New Zealand's input and response to the global rise of environmental concerns following the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit and Agenda 21, the UN programme of action on the environment and sustainable development. The Division concentrates on the major international institutions, conventions and programmes arising from Rio, covering climate change, biodiversity, the control of hazardous chemicals and other substances, sustainable forest management and sustainable development. The Division also looks after a range of other subjects, including whales, ozone depletion and non-nuclear hazardous wastes.
The Antarctic Policy Unit is responsible for formulating policies in support of New Zealand's objectives in Antarctica. These include maintaining a presence in the Ross Dependency, participating in the Antarctic Treaty system, scientific research, and protection of the Antarctic environment and conservation of its marine resources.
Facsimile: +64 4 439 8517 Email: env@mfat.govt.nz
International Security and Disarmament Division has broadly three sections: counter-terrorism; peace support; and disarmament and non-proliferation. The Export Controls Team also assesses and processes applications for the export of strategic goods and the import and export of scheduled chemicals.
Facsimile: +64 4 439 8519 Email: ised@mfat.govt.nz
Export control enquiries fax: +64 4 439 8519 Email: exportcontrols@mfat.govt.nz Tel: +64 4 439 8227
Knowledge Services Division manages how the Ministry creates, captures, shares and uses information and knowledge to deliver better policy advice, services and development assistance. The Division assists with external and internal research and OIA and information requests. It provides access to the Ministry's collection of paper records and maintains an Information Service which gives staff access to a wide range of foreign affairs and trade related resources.
Facsimile: +64 4 439 8511 Email: ksd@mfat.govt.nz
Legal Division is responsible for advising the Government on New Zealand's international obligations, including international treaties and matters of customary international law. This advice covers all legal aspects of the conduct of foreign policy. It includes responsibility for the Acts and statutory regulations that the Ministry administers, and for advice on international legal issues that arise in connection with the work of other departments. The Division also advises on litigation and arbitration in international courts and tribunals relating to the settlement of disputes between states, and on other international disputes settlement, and complaints procedures at international law such as cases brought by individuals under the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. As well, the Division advises on new developments in international law and on international treaties. It ensures that the Government is informed and approvals properly sought in respect of all proposed New Zealand treaty actions. It maintains a register of bilateral treaties to which New Zealand is party and of multilateral treaties relevant to New Zealand, and registers New Zealand treaties with the UN.
Facsimile: +64 4 439 8517 Email: lgl@mfat.govt.nz
Facsimile: +64 4 439 8519 Email: mpu@mfat.govt.nz
Under the Vienna Conventions, Protocol Division is responsible for administration of privileges and immunities, and guidance to diplomatic and consular staff and dependants residing in New Zealand. The Division arranges the attendance of the diplomatic and consular corps at ceremonial and state occasions and manages the formal accreditation procedures for the appointment of Ambassadors and High Commissioners to and from New Zealand. It also supervises the planning with other agencies of programmes for Guest of Government visitors to New Zealand, as well as preparing itineraries for other official visitors coming to New Zealand under the Ministry's overseas visitors programme.
Facsimile: +64 4 439 8532 Email: prd@mfat.govt.nz
The focus of this Division's work is the World Trade Organisation, which provides a framework of rules within which world trade is conducted. The Division advises the Government on multilateral trade policy issues, services New Zealand's participation in WTO and OECD committees and working groups (in close consultation with New Zealand's permanent mission to the WTO in Geneva and OECD in Paris) and negotiates under WTO auspices with other countries.
Facsimile: +64 4 439 8522 Email: tnd@mfat.govt.nz
New Zealand values the opportunity to work with other nations in multilateral organisations where our voice can be heard on matters of international concern. Collectively we are able to achieve outcomes that would be unattainable on our own. The Division is responsible for coordinating New Zealand's position in the main forums of the United Nations and the Commonwealth. It provides policy advice to Ministers and instructs New Zealand delegations, particularly on international security, peacekeeping, economic and social issues, good governance and human rights issues.
Facsimile: +64 4 439 8517 Email: unhc@mfat.govt.nz
Audit Review Division fax: +64 4 439 8505
Finance Division fax: +64 4 439 8505
Human Resources Division fax: +64 4 439 8508 Email: hrs@mfat.govt.nz
Information and Communications Technology Division fax: +64 4 439 8527 Email: ict@mfat.govt.nz
Management Services Unit fax: +64 4 439 7980
Organisational Planning and Performance Unit fax: + 64 4 439 8523 Email: oppu@mfat.govt.nz
Property and Capital Management Division fax: +64 4 439 8504 Email: pcm@mfat.govt.nz
Security Division fax: +64 4 439 7980
