New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) is the government ministry responsible for New Zealand's foreign policy, trade negotiations, and development cooperation, operating approximately 55 embassies and consulates worldwide to serve citizens, exporters, and Pacific partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersWellington, New Zealand
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade does
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Manatū Aorere, MFAT) is the government ministry responsible for New Zealand's foreign affairs, international trade policy, consular services, and development cooperation. Formally established in 1988 through the Official Establishments Act 1988, with diplomatic origins in the 1943 Department of External Affairs, MFAT operates from its Wellington headquarters at 55 Molesworth Street and maintains approximately 55 embassies, high commissions, and consulates-general worldwide. The ministry's work is organised across six operational areas: Trade (including 17+ free trade agreements), Aid and Development, Peace/Rights/Security, Embassies, Environment, and Consular Services.
MFAT serves four primary constituencies: New Zealand citizens and residents requiring consular assistance abroad (including 1.5 million+ travellers annually), New Zealand exporters and businesses seeking international market access through FTAs and the Tariff Finder tool covering 150+ markets, Pacific Island countries and developing nations receiving New Zealand Aid Programme support, and foreign governments and international organisations (UN, WTO, APEC, Pacific Islands Forum). Digital platforms include SafeTravel for travel advisories, Tariff Finder for trade benefit optimisation, the NZ Scholarships portal, and the Trade Barriers register. Technology infrastructure is built on Microsoft Azure and AWS, with proprietary consular case management systems (SafeCase, SafeTravel, SafeCrisis) and standard collaboration tools (Microsoft platforms, MailChimp).
As a government ministry, MFAT does not generate commercial revenue and is funded entirely through New Zealand government budget appropriations and taxpayer funding, with all services delivered at no direct charge to beneficiaries. Recent strategic activity centres on FTA execution: the NZ-EU FTA in force since May 2024 (97% tariff-free NZ goods entry, NZ$1.8 billion projected annual export gain), the NZ-India FTA signed April 2026 (NZ$3.95 billion annual trade relationship), the AOTES with Singapore signed May 2026 (first-of-its-kind crisis-resilient trade instrument), and the GEPA negotiations launched October 2025 with Singapore and Chile covering environmental goods and carbon markets.
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade
- Legal name
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Website
- https://mfat.govt.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) is the government ministry responsible for New Zealand's foreign policy, trade negotiations, and development cooperation, operating approximately 55 embassies and consulates worldwide to serve citizens, exporters, and Pacific partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Government Foreign Affairs and Trade Services
- NAICS
- National Security and International Affairs (928), International Affairs (92812)
- SIC
- Foreign Governments (8888), International Affairs (9721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Development Cooperation & Foreign Aid Administration (BPAIAIAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Bilateral Development & Aid Agencies (HLAJAKAB), Consular Services & Citizen Assistance (BPAIAIAB), Humanitarian & Disaster Assistance (Bilateral) (BPADABAB)
Keywords
Where New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wellington
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT, Manatū Aorere) is the government ministry responsible for conducting New Zealand's foreign affairs, trade policy, and development cooperation. It negotiates and implements free trade agreements, delivers consular assistance to New Zealand citizens abroad, manages a global network of embassies and high commissions, runs the New Zealand Aid Programme, and represents New Zealand in international fora such as the UN, WTO, and APEC. Services include passport and visa support, travel advisories, market intelligence for exporters, scholarship programmes, and humanitarian response.
Product overview
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade operates a portfolio of government services organized into six core areas: Trade (including free trade agreements, market intelligence, and export support tools), Aid and Development (scholarships, Pacific partnerships, and humanitarian action), Peace/Rights/Security (UN work, sanctions, and human rights), Embassies (passports, visas, and diplomatic services), Environment (climate change, oceans, and biodiversity), and Consular Services (citizen assistance abroad). Key digital platforms include SafeTravel for citizen advisories, Tariff Finder for trade benefit optimization, and various registration portals for trade barriers and controlled exports.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SafeTravel
- Tariff Finder
- Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships / New Zealand Scholarships
- Consular Services
- Register a Trade Barrier
- Export Controls
- UN Sanctions Administration
- MFAT Market Intelligence Reports
- Pacific Innovation Hub
Quantifiable outcome
- 97% of New Zealand goods trade enters the EU tariff-free under the NZ-EU FTA
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and flagship.
- Island ConservationcoreIsland Conservation provides technical support to the Tuvalu Department of Environment for the invasive rat eradication project on Niulakita, working to restore ecosystems and improve livelihoods for the community of approximately 40 people. The project aims to protect coconut syrup production, seabirds, and land crabs while enhancing climate resilience.
- Pacific Community (SPC)coreThe Pacific Community is implementing the Pacific Adoption of Waste-to-Energy Solutions (PAWES) Project in collaboration with SPREP. The project held an inception workshop in Port Moresby to develop Papua New Guinea's first national Waste-to-Energy policy, addressing urban waste management and electricity access challenges.
- SPREP (Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme)coreSPREP collaborates with the Pacific Community on the PAWES Project to support waste-to-energy policy development across Pacific Island countries. SPREP provides regional environmental expertise to address the dual challenge of increasing urban waste and limited electricity access.
- Alinea InternationalmajorAlinea International provides technical support to translate existing research into a practical Waste-to-Energy policy framework and implementation roadmap for Papua New Guinea. The draft policy is expected to be completed by May 2026.
- UNESCOcoreUNESCO is one of the implementing agencies supporting the Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF) 2018-2030, facilitating regional collaboration across 15 Pacific Island countries to address shared education challenges including remote populations and climate vulnerability.
- UNICEF PacificcoreUNICEF is one of the implementing agencies for the Pacific Regional Education Framework (PacREF), contributing to the development of regional educational resources, assessments like PILNA, and building climate resilience in Pacific Island education systems.
- Domestic Advisory Group MembersmajorThe Domestic Advisory Group provides advice on NZ-EU FTA and NZ-UK FTA implementation. Members include 16 organisations: Auckland Business Chamber, Beef + Lamb NZ, BusinessNZ, E tū Union, Environmental Defence Society, Federation of Māori Authorities, Hikurangi Bioactives, Māori Kiwifruit Growers, Ngā Toki Whakarururanga, NZ Council of Trade Unions, NZ Europe Business Council, NZ International Business Forum, Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society, Seafood NZ, Te Taumata, and WWF NZ.
- Singapore Ministry for Sustainability and the EnvironmentflagshipSingapore and New Zealand are co-leading the Green Economy Partnership Agreement (GEPA) negotiations, announced on 31 October 2025. The agreement aims to create trade and investment commitments for environmental goods and services, sustainable finance, and carbon/nature credits trading.
- Chilean Ministry of Foreign AffairsflagshipChile and New Zealand are co-leading the Green Economy Partnership Agreement (GEPA) negotiations alongside Singapore. The agreement builds on precedents like the P4 and CPTPP agreements to create an enabling framework for trade in green economy sectors.
- Singapore Ministry of Trade and IndustryflagshipNew Zealand and Singapore signed the Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies (AOTES) on 4 May 2026, committing both countries to not imposing export restrictions on essential goods including food, fuels, medical equipment, and construction materials.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT): Closest comparable peer — Australia's foreign affairs and trade ministry with overlapping Pacific regional focus, similar mandate (consular services, trade negotiations, aid programme), and shared trans-Tasman diplomatic priorities. Directly comparable in scope, structure, and target region.
- Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Small-state foreign affairs ministry with strong trade-negotiation capability, an active FTA portfolio, and explicit partnership with MFAT (co-leads GEPA, signed AOTES 2026). Directly comparable as a small but trade-aggressive foreign ministry.
- Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Co-leads GEPA with MFAT and Singapore, with comparable trade-agreement portfolio (CPTPP, Pacific Alliance, multiple FTAs). Similar middle-power positioning with an active trade-negotiation stance.
- Ireland Department of Foreign Affairs: Small-state foreign ministry with combined trade, development cooperation (Irish Aid), and consular responsibilities. Structurally similar to MFAT with comparable size and diaspora-focused consular mandate.
Broad incumbents
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO): Much larger foreign ministry combining diplomatic, consular, and development functions. Comparable in functional mandate but with substantially greater scale, budget, and global footprint — a useful benchmark for structural capability.
- Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs (Global Affairs Canada): Combines foreign affairs, trade, and development cooperation under a single ministry — directly comparable in structural design to MFAT, with a similarly broad portfolio spanning trade agreements, consular services, and aid programmes.
- Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Larger foreign ministry with deep Indo-Pacific engagement and an active development cooperation programme. Comparable in Pacific strategic priorities and FTA-led trade posture, with substantially greater resources.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands: European foreign ministry with strong trade-agreement portfolio, active development cooperation, and EU policy coordination. Comparable in combining aid, trade, and consular functions within a single integrated ministry.
Others
- Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat: Regional intergovernmental body in which MFAT participates actively as a dialogue partner. Not a direct peer but a key counterpart for Pacific development cooperation, climate resilience, and regional policy.
- Asian Development Bank: Manages the $14.9M GPE regional grant supporting MFAT's PacREF programme. Functions as a financial partner rather than a competitor, but is a key implementing intermediary for New Zealand's Pacific aid strategy.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade social profiles
Digital presenceNew Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade
What does New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade do?
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT, Manatū Aorere) is the government ministry responsible for conducting New Zealand's foreign affairs, trade policy, and development cooperation. It negotiates and implements free trade agreements, delivers consular assistance to New Zealand citizens abroad, manages a global network of embassies and high commissions, runs the New Zealand Aid Programme, and represents New Zealand in international fora such as the UN, WTO, and APEC. Services include passport and visa support, travel advisories, market intelligence for exporters, scholarship programmes, and humanitarian response.
Is New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade a public or private company?
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade founded?
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade was founded in 1988. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade based?
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade is headquartered in Wellington, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
Who are New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ireland Department of Foreign Affairs. Broad incumbents are UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs (Global Affairs Canada), Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. Others are Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and Asian Development Bank.
Does New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade have an API?
No public API is recorded for New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade.
What industry is New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade in?
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade's product category is Government Foreign Affairs and Trade Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAIAG, Development Cooperation & Foreign Aid Administration, with a secondary code of HLAJAKAB, Bilateral Development & Aid Agencies. Its NAICS code is 928 and its SIC code is 8888.