Thailand, NZ Ink Strategic Partnership to Boost Trade and Investment
Thailand and New Zealand have strengthened their ties through a strategic partnership aimed at boosting trade and investment. On August 21, 2026, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of Thailand and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand signed a Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership in Wellington, marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The partnership focuses on four key areas: political and security collaboration, economic, trade, and innovation partnership, education, culture, and people-to-people connections, and regional and multilateral cooperation. The two nations aim to triple bilateral trade to $7.5 billion by 2045, with a focus on sectors such as innovation, food and energy security, green economy, sustainable agriculture, and environmental protection.
The agreement also includes plans to strengthen the Thailand-New Zealand Closer Economic Partnership (TNZCEP) for greater business opportunities. Both Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of four key cooperation agreements, including a cultural cooperation agreement, an education partnership between Thailand's Office of the Civil Service Commission and Education New Zealand, a law enforcement partnership between the Royal Thai Police and New Zealand Police, and a private-sector agreement between Chata Instruments Company Limited and Aeroqual Limited.
Anutin also sought New Zealand's backing for Thailand's bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which Luxon offered full support. Additionally, Thai Airways International PCL announced plans to resume direct flights between Bangkok and Auckland in March 2027, aimed at enhancing travel, trade, investment, and education links between the two countries.