New Zealand-Canada relations refers to international relations between New Zealand and Canada. New Zealand and Canada have a longstanding relationship that has been fostered by both countries' shared history and culture, by their membership the Commonwealth of Nations and links between residents of both countries. The two countries have a common Head of State, currently Queen Elizabeth II. New Zealand and Canada also have links through business or trade relations, the United Nations, the Commonwealth and mutual treaty agreements. New Zealand-Canada relations are important to both countries.
The two countries share a like-minded view of the world on a variety of issues. New Zealand is a committed international player that seeks to promote its interests overseas and contribute to a stable, peaceful and prosperous world. A founding member of the United Nations, New Zealand is dedicated to the principles of multilateralism and the rule of international law. It is a strong advocate of trade liberalisation and participates actively in international negotiations on many issues, including environmental protection, disarmament, good governance and human rights. These issues are equally important to Canada, which takes a similar stance on many of them, and have helped to further the relationship between the countries. Canada has said that New Zealand is a valuable international partner despite the thousands of miles separating the two countries.
Political similarities
As part of the Commonwealth, both countries share the Westminster system; however, there are other similarities. Both countries have significant political and demographic similarities. In both countries the majority is descended from British settlers, but both have significant populations of indigenous and non-British people: the Māori in New Zealand and the Québécois and First Nations in Canada. Both countries have complex relations with larger neighbours: Australia for New Zealand, and the United States for Canada. New Zealand has been referred to as 'Australia's Canada' in Jon Stewart's America: The Book .
Party politics in New Zealand are fought between the center-left Labour Party, the center-right National Party and several smaller parties. In Canada the main players are the Conservatives, Liberals, the leftist New Democratic Party and the separatist Bloc Québécois. The economic policies of New Zealand Roger Douglas were partially an inspiration for government cutbacks advocated by Canadian leaders such as Ralph Klein, Mike Harris, and Paul Martin. However, the current governments of the two countries are in alignment, as Stephen Harper's Conservatives are fiscally pro free-market while John Key's National-Led Government are right-wing as well.
Military alliances
Main articles: Military history of New Zealand and Military history of CanadaNew Zealand and Canada have fought together in the Second Boer War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, the Gulf War and the Afghanistan War. Both countries refused to participate in Iraq War even though other major Anglosphere countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia were involved in that conflict. As of 2008, New Zealand and Canadian forces are still active in Afghanistan.
Cooperation between military forces
New Zealand and Canada enjoy a close and genial defence relationship. Historically, their two armed forces have worked alongside each other in a number of international security operations. Recent defence operations include strategic actions in Timor Leste, Bosnia and Afghanistan, training exercises and staff exchanges.
These positive and longstanding defence links with Canada and New Zealand are enhanced by the regular purchase of new military equipment from either country, e.g. New Zealand's purchase of 105 Light Armoured vehicles (LAV IIIs) from Canada.
Wars fought together
Alliance during World War II
Main articles: Military history of Canada during the Second World War and Military history of New Zealand during World War IIAs part of their ongoing participation in the British Commonwealth, both countries were expected to aid Britain when she declared war on Germany. However, since the Statute of Westminster they had both won the power to declare war independently of Britain. Politically, New Zealand had been a vocal opponent of European fascism and also the appeasement of those dictatorships. At the beginning of the war, Canada was (for the most part) reluctant to return to war. Nonetheless, both countries entered the war as Allies: New Zealand declared war on Nazi Germany at 9.30 pm September 3, 1939 (NZT); Canada on September 10, 1939. However, the two countries' armies only occasionally fought together. Canada's main effort encompassed major campaigns in Italy and Northern Europe. Meanwhile the New Zealanders mainly fought in Greece, Crete, and Italy.
Post-World War II
During the Cold War both countries were firmly in the Western bloc but did not agree on every use of military force. For example, both fought in the Korean War however, New Zealand was a combatant in Vietnam while Canada was part of an international observer mission and did not fight. Both countries have been frequent contributors to U.N. peacekeeping peacemaking and police operations. Both countries contributed symbolic assistance to coalition forces in the Gulf War where Canada participated in some bombing missions.
Korean War 1950–1953
Main article: New Zealand in the Korean WarFurther information: British Commonwealth Forces KoreaNew Zealand and Canada were among those states that responded to the United Nations call for help. New Zealand joined 15 other nations including Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States in the anti-communist war. But the Korean War was also significant, as it fastened New Zealand's military and diplomatic co-operation in supporting Canada and the United States in conflict.
The British Commonwealth Forces Korea was a joint effort between allied Commonwealth forces, namely Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Canada sent 26,791 troops to fight in Korea. There were 1,558 Canadian casualties, including 516 dead. Korea has often been described as "The Forgotten War", because for most Canadians it is overshadowed by the Canadian contributions to the two world wars. Canada is a signatory to the original 1953 armistice, but did not keep a garrison in South Korea after 1955.
New Zealand contributed six frigates, several smaller craft and a 1044 strong volunteer force (known as K-FORCE) to the Korean War. The ships were under the command of a British flag officer and formed part of the US Navy screening force during the Battle of Inchon, performing shore raids and inland bombardment. New Zealand troops remained in Korea in significant numbers for four years after the 1951 armistice, although the last New Zealand soldiers did not leave until 1957 and a single liaison officer remained until 1971. A total of 3,794 New Zealand soldiers served in K-FORCE and 1300 in the Navy deployment. 33 were killed in action, 79 wounded and one soldier was taken prisoner. That prisoner was held in North Korea for eighteen months and repatriated after the armistices.
Afghanistan (2001–2005)
Main article: Operation Enduring FreedomFurther information: NZ SASNew Zealand and Canada's heaviest joint military involvement in the Middle East in recent decades has been in Afghanistan following the United States-led invasion of that country after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Fifty Special Air Service of New Zealand (SAS) units were dispatched, and in March 2002 they took part in Operation Anaconda alongside Canadian forces against about 500 to 1000 al-Qaeda and Taliban forces in the Shahi-Kot Valley and Arma Mountains southeast of Zorma, Afghanistan. New Zealand has also supplied two transport aircraft and a 122-strong tri-service Provincial Reconstruction Team, which has been located in Bamyan Province since 2003. Both New Zealand (SASNZ) and Canadian (Joint Task Force 2) special forces have won the United States Presidential Unit Citation for operations in Afghanistan.
Operation Anaconda
Main article: Operation AnacondaThe operation was composed of elements of the United States 10th Mountain Division, 101st Airborne Division, the US special forces groups TF 11, TF Bowie, and TF Dagger, British Royal Marines, Canada's 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, the Afghan National Army, the German KSK, and elements of the Australian Special Air Service Regiment and of the New Zealand Special Air Service.
This was one of the first major NZ-Canada joint operations of the War in Afghanistan and proved to be a very successful partnership between the nations military forces.
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