AUCKLAND: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's working visit to New Zealand from July 14-18 will chart a new course in strengthening bilateral ties.
High Commissioner of Malaysia to New Zealand Mazita Marzuki (pic) described the five-day working visit by Ahmad Zahid as apt and timely.
"The visit is very timely as New Zealand is pivoting their economic trajectory towards Asean.
"The Deputy Prime Minister's visit is not only apt with regard to Malaysia's aspirations but also that of New Zealand," she said in a press conference here on Sunday (July 13).
She noted that New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited Malaysia in September 2024.
She added that bilateral follow-up talks between Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and his New Zealand counterpart Winston Peters were held at the sidelines of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting on July 10, 2025.
She said during his five-day visit, Ahmad Zahid will meet his New Zealand counterpart David Seymour and New Zealand's Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro.
The Deputy Prime Minister will also be meeting several other ministers, including New Zealand's Agriculture, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay and Maori Development Minister Tama Potaka.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Halal Industry Development Council chairman, will attend a halal forum organised by New Zealand's Primary Industries Ministry.
"The Deputy Prime Minister will also witness the signing of a document of cooperation between Malaysia and New Zealand on higher education," she added.
She said Dr Ahmad would hold an engagement session with captains of industries and businesses including the Asean New Zealand Business Council and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.
She added that Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the Central Disaster Management Committee, would visit New Zealand's National Crisis Management Centre.
"The Deputy Prime Minister, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, will hold a roundtable session with the Maori community in Rotorua," she said.
He is also expected to meet up with 250 Malaysians living in New Zealand when visit Wellington, added Mazita.
Ahmad Zahid's visit will take place from July 14-18 and he will be accompanied by state executive councillors from Melaka, Johor, Pahang and Selangor as well as senior ministry officers.
Malaysia and New Zealand have shared close bilateral ties for 68 years and there are currently about 18,000 Malaysians living and studying in the country.
The last high-ranking visit to New Zealand was by former prime minister, the late Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2005.
