MFAT is responsible for protecting and promoting New Zealand’s interests overseas. New Zealand administer two Votes on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Vote Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Vote Official Development Assistance. MFAT also reports to the Minister of Trade and to other portfolio Ministers on specific issues.

The Ministry is the Government’s lead source of advice on foreign and trade policy, on international climate change negotiations, diplomatic and consular issues, and on international development assistance. MFAT also provide legal advice on international issues and are the formal channel for the Government’s communications to and from other countries and international organizations.

Internationally MFAT works to ensure that New Zealand’s voice is heard, that our security and economic interests are advanced and protected, that MFAT contributes to sustainable development in developing countries, and that the rights and safety of New Zealanders abroad are protected.

To achieve these goals MFAT works with foreign governments and other international and non-government organizations in areas of mutual interest. MFAT also leads initiatives on behalf of other government agencies.

MFAT’s Pacific and Development Group leads an integrated approach to New Zealand’s diplomatic and development engagement with Pacific countries. We support New Zealand’s extensive interests and close ties in the region, and are responsible for the delivery of the New Zealand Aid Programme in the Pacific and globally.

The Council for International Development (CID) works to achieve effective high quality international development programmes focusing on the alleviation and eradication of poverty. It seeks to enhance the capacity and participation of member agencies, the NZ government and other sectors of the NZ community. Amongst other activities, it provides a forum for the discussion of international aid and development issues; liaises with the NZ government, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and works to increase public awareness of international development needs and issues.

For more information: http://www.cid.org.nz/about-2/about-cid-celebrating-30-years/

The Intellectual Property Office is the government agency responsible for the granting and registration of intellectual property rights. Through the provision of its services, the Intellectual Property Office aims to ensure that people realize the full economic potential of their intellectual property. In addition to administering the relevant legislation and registers, the Office performs a number of operational functions, including: (i) implementing international agreements; (ii) providing assistance and information to clients; (iii) contributing to policy development on IP rights; and (iv) acting as a receiving office for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

JAS-ANZ was established in 1991 by the Australian and New Zealand governments to strengthen the trading relationship between the two countries and with other countries. The Agreement between Australia and New Zealand establishing the Governing Board, Technical Advisory Council and Accreditation Review Board of the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (the JAS-ANZ Treaty) requires JAS-ANZ to operate a joint accreditation system and to deliver on four goals relating to Integrity and Confidence, Trade Support, Linkages, and International Acceptance. JAS-ANZ is a not for profit, self-funding international organization. It is non-discriminatory, in that it will accept applications from conformity assessment bodies operating anywhere in the world. Accreditation programmes are accessible to all conformity assessment bodies, irrespective of size, location or affiliations, whose operations include activities for which accreditation programmes are currently available.

MSL is New Zealand’s national metrology institute which ensures that New Zealand’s units of measurement are consistent with the International System of Units. MSL provides clients with the most accurate calibration service in the country for a wide range of instruments and artifacts, as well as advice and training. It plays a key role in ensuring international recognition of New Zealand’s National Measurement System, which is essential for New Zealand’s ongoing international trade.

MPI is focused on growing and protecting New Zealand. MPI works right across the sector from primary producers through to retailers and consumers. Key functions include: Providing policy advice and programmes that support the sustainable development of New Zealand’s primary industries; being the New Zealand government’s principal adviser on fisheries and aquaculture management; providing “whole of system” leadership of New Zealand’s biosecurity system; managing forestry assets for the Crown; providing or purchasing services to maintain the effective management of New Zealand’s fisheries; ensure food safety standards for consumers of New Zealand food. As the government “hub” for the primary sector, we will continue to develop good relationships not only with farmers, primary production and food businesses, but also with tangata whenua, environmental non-governmental organizations, trading partners, across local and central government and the wider community.

The Customs Service is focused on stopping any possible dangers, hazards and threats entering New Zealand, and to help protect and nurture New Zealand’s economic well-being. This includes everything from illegal weapons, objectionable material and drugs, to dangerous persons, hazardous substances and unwanted biological organisms – anything that might threaten New Zealand and New Zealanders. Customs also helps to protect and nurture New Zealand’s economic well-being through collecting duties, excise taxes and the goods and services tax (GST) due on imports and exports. Customs uses advanced intelligence-gathering techniques to uncover illegal activity and have the power to check containers, vessels, baggage, mail, persons or property – whether entering or leaving the country. They also conduct investigations and audits of personal and commercial documents, and the movement of currency and goods.

NZTE is the New Zealand government’s national economic development agency. Through its network of offices worldwide, NZTE aims to improve the international competitiveness and sustained profitability of New Zealand business by providing access to people, knowledge, and opportunities. It uses its knowledge of and contacts in overseas markets to connect New Zealand businesses with trade and investment opportunities internationally.

PT&I creates jobs in the Pacific Islands and is the only trade promotion organisation representing 16 Pacific island countries across the region (Cook Islands, Fiji, FSM, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu). PT&I works directly with the private sector to develop, grow and promote business in the region through introducing exporters to buyers, investees to investors and connect tourism operators with travellers. Their work focuses on: Trade Facilitation, Investment Facilitation, Creative Arts Promotion and Tourism Promotion. PT&I is an agency of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS)

Asia:NZ is a non-partisan and non-profit organization dedicated to building New Zealanders’ knowledge and understanding of Asia. Established in 1994, Asia:NZ represents a unique partnership between the public and private sectors. As the leading non-governmental organization on Asia-New Zealand relations, it works in five main areas: business, culture, education, media and research. In addition, Asia:NZ runs the Young Leaders Network and takes a lead role in Track 2 bilateral and multilateral dialogues in the Asia-Pacific.

NZI is a privately funded think tank that is committed to generating debate, ideas, and solutions that contribute to building a better and more prosperous New Zealand for all New Zealanders. NZI undertakes independent research on important issues, engaging with groups throughout the community on these issues, and working with the private and public sectors to identify and implement practical solutions. Its research work covers economic, social, environmental and globalization subjects.

NZIER was established in 1958 as a non-profit incorporated society based in Wellington to provide applied economic research in New Zealand. With a team of economists that is one of the largest in New Zealand outside the Government, it undertakes a wide range of consulting activities for clients in the public and private sectors, carries out and publishes research in the national interest, and aims to encourage debate on economic issues affecting New Zealand. It is independent of the government and any other organization.

PCF is an independent public/private-sector trust, formed in 2002, whose mission is to support Pacific cooperation objectives in niche areas with economic linkage in line with New Zealand’s policy objectives.

PCF has three strategic goals:

1. To promote stability and economic sustainability in New Zealand and the greater Pacific region;
2. To foster understanding of the Pacific on the part of all New Zealanders and promote New Zealand’s identity as a Pacific nation; and
3. To engage and support communities and institutions in New Zealand and the greater Pacific region.

Trade Aid New Zealand is a New Zealand-based fair trade organization that acts as importer, wholesaler and retailer of fair trade products, sharing its profits with its trading partners and providing them with support to increase their production and product quality. It also provides pre-finance through an interest-free pre-financing scheme. Trade Aid works with more than 75 trading partners in over 30 countries, engaging primarily with family groups, co-operatives and associations, often through non-profit development organizations. By forming these groups, producers are often able to increase their own political power and thereby create social and economic change.

VSA is New Zealand’s largest and most experienced volunteering agency working in international development. VSA Kiwi volunteers share skills with people in the wider Pacific to help them build a better future for themselves and their children. VSA works with in-country partners overseas to make sure that all our assignments are locally identified, locally relevant, and locally delivered. VSA’s goal is to transfer skills and knowledge so that the changes achieved during an assignment are sustainable once a volunteer returns to New Zealand.

VNZ is an association of regional volunteer centers and national organizations with a strong commitment to volunteering, and is the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) New Zealand Representative. It has also established good working relationships with Volunteering Australia, which has made accessible a variety of educational resources as well as participation in their programmes. It has also been working with specialist volunteer training organizations from Australia, USA and Canada.