About Us
The Ministry is the Government’s principal agent for pursuing New Zealand’s international interests and representing our country offshore. We build connections with, and influence, other countries to advance New Zealand’s interests, project our values, and secure outcomes that matter to us. We progress the Government’s international priorities and advise the Government on how regional and global events could impact New Zealand.
We lead New Zealand’s diplomatic network, which represents the Government and progresses our interests around the world.
The Ministry provides the Government with specialist advice on foreign, trade, and development cooperation policy. We are the Government’s primary adviser on international legal issues and are responsible for delivering New Zealand's International Development Cooperation (IDC) Programme.
We engage with Māori partners and seek to reflect our Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities in our work. We also connect with the public, and our other stakeholders, to support mutual understanding and collaboration.