Safety and Security - New Zealand
As the world transitions into a new era of global challenges, the Netherlands is working more closely than ever with partners around the globe.
The Netherlands and New Zealand are natural partners that share the goal for global peace and the prosperity of a stable, free and open Indo-Pacific. Not only do we share many values, we are also both smaller countries that rely on a stable and secure world.
Bilateral Cooperation
The Netherlands and New Zealand work closely together, for example through our police forces, with a focus on the sharing of information on mutual areas of law enforcement cooperation through EUROPOL. Next to that there is cooperation between our customs administrations under the bilateral Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement, and continued collaboration in areas of mutual interest to advance maritime supply chain security.
Furthermore, both countries are concerned about the increase of malicious cyber activities by state and non-state actors, and are collaborating to counter cyber threats via likeminded groupings and multilateral fora. The Netherlands aims to contribute to an open, free, and secure cyber domain and believes that cybersecurity and human rights are complementary and mutually reinforcing.
In 2025, the Prime Ministers of New Zealand and the Netherlands signed a joint collaboration statement titled “No Prosperity without Security.” As a follow-up, Wouter Jurgens, Director for Security Policy at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visited New Zealand for the first bilateral security consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). You can read more about the visit here.
Strengthening Defence Cooperation
Although geographically distant, the Netherlands and New Zealand remain closely aligned in values, maritime outlook and commitment to the international rule of law. Our forces continue to exchange expertise in support of regional stability and shared security interests.
The Dutch Defence Attaché, based in Canberra, visited Wellington in February 2026 with a focus on strengthening defence ties between the Netherlands and New Zealand. A series of high-level meetings with counterparts from the New Zealand Defence Force and Ministry of Defence highlighted the strong and practical nature of our cooperation.
Multilateral Cooperation
In order to fight terrorism, drug trafficking and cybercrime, countries need to work together. That’s why we believe in international cooperation to solve international security problems.
As part of NATO, the Netherlands strongly supports strengthened cooperation between New Zealand and NATO. New Zealand's cooperation, along with NATO’s other Indo-Pacific partners, reflects recognition that the peace, prosperity and stability of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions are interconnected.
In late 2025, our embassy, accompanied by the Dutch Police, Defence and Customs attachés, hosted a panel discussion on transnational organized crime that brought together experts from New Zealand and the Netherlands to reflect on shared challenges and opportunities for international cooperation. More here.
Ukraine
The Netherlands strongly condemns the Russian attack on Ukraine. Netherlands and New Zealand will continue their unwavering support for Ukraine, call upon Russia to end immediately its illegal war of aggression, and welcome ongoing efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Europe, consistent with the United Nations Charter and international law.
Working with the Netherlands on Safety and Security
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in New Zealand and the Pacific supports partnerships in safety and security initiatives. We connect local stakeholders with Dutch companies, knowledge institutions, and government partners to promote security cooperation.
There is no prosperity without security. Together we can work towards a safe and secure world.
Are you interested to learn more? Contact our team in Wellington here.