42. Yeni Zelanda başbakanı (2023–görevde)
New Zealand and Viet Nam deepen education connections
New Zealand and Viet Nam have strengthened their commitment to education cooperation and deepening connections between tertiary education institutions, says Minister for Tertiary Education Penny Simmonds. “I was delighted to have the opportunity to announce the renewed bilateral Education Cooperation Arrangement with my Vietnamese counterpart Minister of Education and Training, Mr Hoàng Minh Sơn, and reaffirm our shared commitment to deepening education ties in the presence of Prime Minister Luxon and General Secretary and President Tô Lâm. Education remains a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship and is a priority commitment in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” says Minister Simmonds. “I was deeply honoured to give remarks at the Viet Nam-New Zealand Higher Education and Skills Forum, in the presence of the His Excellency Tô Lâm, Minister Sơn and leaders of education agencies and tertiary education institutions from both of our countries.” “Our mutual interest in ensuring learners gain the skills they need for successful careers, strengthening links between education and employment, supporting innovation and research, and deepening collaboration between education providers, employers and communities was evident throughout the forum. There is much we can learn from each other.” “Institutional engagement is a critical pillar in our bilateral education relationship. It strengthens opportunities for student and academic mobility and exchange, and there is strong potential for growth. During the forum it was very encouraging to witness a number of new Memorandums of Understanding signed between New Zealand institutions and their counterparts in Viet Nam”, says Minister Simmonds. These engagements support the Government’s Tertiary Education Strategy priorities for International Education – boosting numbers of international students, supporting the sector to grow and increasing New Zealand’s international connectivity, as set out in the International Education Going for Growth Plan. In the 2025 calendar year, there were 2,200 enrolled students from Viet Nam in New Zealand. This was an increase of 14% from 2024. In the year ended March 2026, New Zealand's education-related travel exports to Viet Nam reached $110.95 million, up from $106.78 million in the previous year.
Thailand Prime Minister to visit New Zealand
Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will make an official visit to New Zealand this week, accompanied by a delegation of leading Thai business representatives, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “The visit marks 70 years of diplomatic relations and will be used to formally launch the New Zealand-Thailand Strategic Partnership,” Mr Luxon says. “It will strengthen trade and business connections between our two countries, as we both work towards the shared goal of tripling two-way trade by 2045. “Thailand is ASEAN’s third-largest economy and one of New Zealand’s top 10 trading partners. “Our two-way trade reached almost NZ$4.8 billion in the year to March 2026, including NZ$1.6 billion in New Zealand exports. “Thailand is also an important partner for New Zealand on regional stability and combatting transnational serious and organised crime. “I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Anutin and discussing how we can deliver greater prosperity and security for both our countries.” Prime Minister Anutin will attend a series of engagements in Auckland, including bilateral talks with Mr Luxon, a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters, and a business roundtable with Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay and senior business leaders. He will arrive in New Zealand on Thursday 20 August and leave on Saturday 22 August.
New Zealand, Viet Nam advance relationship
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Viet Nam’s President and Party General Secretary, To Lam, have agreed new steps to advance the New Zealand-Viet Nam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. “This visit has been about putting our partnership to work and delivering benefits for both countries,” Mr Luxon says. “When we met in Ha Noi last year, we marked 50 years of diplomatic relations by elevating our relationship. Today we have backed that ambition with action.” The leaders discussed growing trade and investment, reducing barriers, expanding links in science and technology, and deepening cooperation on peacekeeping, maritime security and transnational crime. They announced five outcomes spanning agricultural cooperation, market access, education, defence, and climate-smart agriculture. “These outcomes will open new opportunities for exporters, strengthen education and security links, and support farmers and health professionals,” Mr Luxon says. An agricultural package will expand two-way market access, including for New Zealand honey and deer products and Vietnamese cut flowers and foliage, while further support for climate-smart agriculture will build on work that has lifted farmer profits and cut rice emissions by 50 per cent. “His Excellency To Lam’s visit has set a clear direction for the New Zealand-Viet Nam relationship for the decade ahead,” Mr Luxon says. “We are committed to turning today’s agreements into results for people in both countries.” General Secretary and President To Lam’s visit is the first State visit to New Zealand by a President of Viet Nam since 2007.
New Zealand to welcome Viet Nam President
Viet Nam’s President and Party General Secretary, His Excellency To Lam, will make a State visit to New Zealand next week, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “With a population of more than 100 million people and GDP growth of 8 percent last year, Viet Nam is one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies and an increasingly significant partner for New Zealand,” Mr Luxon says. “Two-way trade reached NZ$3.41 billion in the year to March 2026 – up 72 percent over five years. We want to build on that growth across food and fibre, education, tourism, technology, aviation and investment, supporting more exports and jobs here at home. “New Zealand and Viet Nam last year marked 50 years of diplomatic relations by elevating the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This is the highest level of partnership with Viet Nam, and it reflects the high ambition and trust between our countries. “Viet Nam is also an influential member of ASEAN, APEC and the CPTPP. “Closer ties with Viet Nam will support New Zealand’s prosperity and security. “I look forward to welcoming President To Lam and discussing the next phase of our relationship, during what will be the first State visit to New Zealand by a President of Viet Nam since 2007.” President To Lam and his delegation will attend a series of events in Auckland, including a State Welcome at Government House, meetings with the Governor-General, Mr Luxon and Speaker Gerry Brownlee, and a State Lunch hosted by the Governor-General. President To Lam will arrive in Auckland on Wednesday 12 August and depart on Thursday 13 August.
Rotorua opening shows future of value-added wood processing
Value-added wood processing is showing its potential in commercial construction, says Forestry Minister Todd McClay at the opening of Red Stag's new VoMo factory in Rotorua. The Government is investing $3.2 million through the Primary Sector Growth Fund to support the VoMo (Volumetric Modulation) project, alongside Red Stag's $4.8 million contribution, taking total investment to $8 million over three years. "New Zealand grows some of the best timber in the world. Advanced timber construction offers a real opportunity to lift productivity, reduce build times, and create high-value products from New Zealand wood,” says Mr McClay, who was at the plant opening alongside Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Mass timber modules are prefabricated in a factory before being transported to site for rapid assembly. The Rotorua facility will develop and test pilot modular buildings to assess performance under New Zealand conditions, including seismic resilience, productivity gains, carbon benefits, and commercial viability. The project is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits and support demand for products such as cross laminated timber and other engineered wood products. Potential applications include multistorey commercial buildings, housing, education, health, tourism and retirement living. Mr McClay said the project aligns with the Government's focus on growing regional economies and increasing investment in value-added processing. “This technology could open up new domestic and export opportunities for our wood processing sector while supporting growth right across the supply chain. The facility reflects the importance of projects like this to New Zealand's economic growth and manufacturing future.”