MANILA, Philippines – The Embassy of New Zealand reiterated its commitment to further strengthen its bilateral relationship with the Philippines, by calling on both countries to drive progress across the four pillars: political relationships, trade and climate, defense, and people links.
During celebrations of Waitangi Day on Tuesday (Feb. 4) in Makati City, New Zealand Ambassador Catherine McIntosh underscored the importance New Zealand is placing on the Philippines.
“The past year has been nothing short of extraordinary. It has marked a real turning point in our bilateral relationship. In April, we welcomed Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to Manila. Only a few weeks later, we welcomed Foreign Minister Winston Peters,” Ambassador McIntosh said in her remarks.
“Their visits reinforced what we already knew — our friendship is strong, and the road ahead is full of promise. We are now moving towards a Comprehensive Partnership. This ambitious step reflects the trust and opportunities that define our ties,” she continued.
New Zealand, PH trade relations
Trade between New Zealand and the Philippines also is seeing growth, with New Zealand companies achieving success in the country – such as Shott beverages, Manuka Health, COMVITA, and Kingson Rockit Apples, McIntosh mentioned.
She added that during Prime Minister Luxon and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s meeting in Manila, both sides set a goal to increase two-way trade by 50 percent by 2030.
McIntosh also mentioned how New Zealand is supporting trade “in the other direction,” through projects that can develop environmentally friendly, residue-compliant crops.
“Sa palagay ko pinakamasarap ang manga dito sa buong mundo. [I think the mango here is the best in the world.] So I was delighted to visit Mindanao recently and witness New Zealand’s project to ready high-quality mangoes for export,” she remarked.
During her five-day visit to Mindanao from January 13 to 17, McIntosh met with Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Leo Tereso Abellera Magno and discussed the Mango Quality Project – a collaboration with the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Municipality of Midsayap, with support from the MinDA.
The project has developed an environmentally friendly, residue-compliant crop protection programme, improving mango quality and reopening export opportunities to Japan, Korea, and New Zealand, the Embassy stated.
Security and defense “also at the heart of NZ, PH friendship”
McIntosh also mentioned the importance of cooperation between New Zealand and the Philippines in defense and security.
“New Zealand and the Philippines stand together in supporting a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific. New Zealand’s participation last September in the Maritime Cooperation Activity alongside the Philippines, Australia, Japan and the US, demonstrated this commitment,” McIntosh said.
“And now we are moving towards a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement [SOVFA]– I was excited to witness our first negotiating round two weeks ago,” she added.
The sentiment was echoed by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr., as he thanked New Zealand for the support towards the Philippines’ territorial and sovereignty claims, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.
“As Ambassador McIntosh said, that we are in the first stages of negotiating a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with New Zealand. And we are very thankful for the unconditional support of New Zealand towards our territorial and sovereignty claims and our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea,” Teodoro said during his remarks.
The Philippines and New Zealand officially kicked off negotiations for the SOVFA, the first round of talks hosted by the Philippine government in Manila on Jan. 23, 2025.
A SOVFA will reinforce the Memorandum of Arrangement between the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with the MoD of New Zealand concerning Defence Cooperation, which was signed in 2017, the Embassy said in a statement.
According to the Embassy, this will enable both countries’ armed forces to elevate their cooperative activities and conduct exercises in each other’s territories, deepening overall defence and military cooperation.
A call to climate action and people-to-people ties
Ambassador McIntosh also believed that climate action is “perhaps the most urgent challenge of our time,” and reiterated its commitment in working together to protect the planet.
“And then, there is climate action — perhaps the most urgent challenge of our time. We have a long history of working side by side in geothermal energy, harnessing the earth’s power to create a cleaner future,” she said.
“At COP29 in Baku, we pledged with Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga bilateral action to protect our planet. And it goes beyond policy,” she added.
McIntosh concluded her speech by highlighting the people-to-people exchanges between New Zealand and the Philippines and is looking forward to the upcoming 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 2026.
“As we look ahead to the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2026, I know that even greater things are coming. Our defence ties are being strengthened, more scholarships are on the horizon, and we are poised to take bolder steps in climate action and trade,” McIntosh enthused.
