Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today expressed Malaysia’s deep appreciation for New Zealand’s longstanding commitment as a trusted and reliable partner of ASEAN. The remarks came as ASEAN leaders gathered for a special summit to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations and economic cooperation with New Zealand — a relationship built on mutual respect, shared goals, and regional solidarity.
During a luncheon attended by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and fellow ASEAN leaders, Anwar spoke warmly of the enduring friendship that has flourished over the decades.
“We have been together for 50 years. We consider you a great friend, a great team, and I have no doubt that our colleagues in ASEAN share the same sentiment,” Anwar said.
The two nations are now working towards concluding the review of the Malaysia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (MNZFTA) by the end of 2025 — a significant milestone since the agreement was first signed 16 years ago.
New Zealand remains a key player in ASEAN’s broader economic framework, being one of the five Dialogue Partners that signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in November 2020. According to preliminary statistics from the ASEAN Secretariat, total two-way trade between ASEAN and New Zealand reached US$12.66 billion (RM53.1 billion) in 2024. ASEAN stands as New Zealand’s third-largest trading partner, accounting for around 10% of its total trade in 2023.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Luxon engaged in a closed-door meeting with ASEAN leaders, where discussions included a proposed regional air services agreement aimed at deepening connectivity across the Asia-Pacific region.
Luxon reaffirmed New Zealand’s unwavering commitment to ASEAN’s principles of unity, peace, and partnership amid global uncertainty.
“Together, our cooperation makes each other more prosperous and more secure in a challenging world. We base our relations on peace, partnership, and respect,” he said.
“New Zealand values ASEAN’s convening power, bringing together diverse states and their voices on issues that impact us all. Dialogue is essential for understanding and bridging differences. Under our comprehensive strategic partnership, we will now meet formally as leaders every two years.”
As both nations look to the future, the message from Kuala Lumpur is clear — collaboration, mutual trust, and open dialogue remain the foundation for building a more stable, prosperous, and united region. The story of ASEAN and New Zealand’s enduring partnership is not merely about economics or politics — it’s a testament to what can be achieved when nations choose friendship over friction, and shared progress over division.
