He is visiting the North and South Islands to promote
UK-New Zealand trade as the UK prepares to forge its
way in the world after EU exit. He will also be
promoting Scottish food and drink exports and working
to strengthen ties between the two countries.
The links between Scotland and New Zealand are well
established – Dunedin and Edinburgh are twinned and
there is a large and active Scottish population across
the country. The two countries have much in common,
including rural tourism, agricultural technology,
culture and education.
Mr Mundell will visit a variety of locations across New
Zealand including Wellington, Christchurch, and of
course, Dunedin. He will spend time with academics and
government leaders, as well as businesses and
entrepreneurs.
Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Mundell said:
As we embark on a new era for Global Britain this is
an important opportunity to promote Scotland and the
wider UK overseas.
New Zealand is a country which already enjoys strong
ties to Scotland. Our shared history goes back many
years and we retain unique business and academic
links. I believe our two countries can also learn
from each other in areas such as agri-tech and
tourism. I am looking forward to visiting Lincoln
University’s Research Dairy Farm to witness
innovations into agri-tech such as herd welfare and
the environmental impact of farming.
I’ll also be meeting senior New Zealand government
ministers and business leaders as part of our effort
to deepen our links. The visit will be a great
opportunity to promote Scotland’s world leading
exports such as whisky. Scotland’s skills, products
and services are exceptional, and I’m confident this
visit will help develop trading opportunities as we
leave the EU.
British Deputy High Commissioner Helen Smith said:
We are delighted to be welcoming the Secretary of
State for Scotland to New Zealand. Mr Mundell is the
third UK Cabinet Minister to visit New Zealand in
just over a year, a sign of the strength of our
bilateral relationship. Coming so soon after the
launch of consultations on a bilateral free trade
agreement once we leave the EU, the visit will be an
opportunity to further enhance our business links. It
will also be an opportunity to celebrate the strength
of Scottish heritage in New Zealand and our
historical and cultural ties.
UK exports to New Zealand were worth £1.3 billion in
2016, and it is clear that there is a market for high
quality goods and products from the UK. While in
Wellington Mr Mundell will attend the High Commission’s
Annual Parliamentary whisky tasting, which brings
together influential businesses and trade figures.
He will also be discussing education links between the
University of Otago and Scottish institutions,
particularly Strathclyde University, which has a strong
program of engagement both with visiting students and
research.
Mr Mundell will also spend some time at the University
of Otago’s Centre for Irish and Scottish Studies, to
hear about their research on linguistics.
In Dunedin, Mr Mundell will meet with several high
profile Scottish expats and discuss the strong links
between the two countries. The first Scots to visit New
Zealand arrived with Captain Cook, and it is thought
that as many as 20 per cent of the first wave European
settlers there came from Scotland. With a nearly
30,000-strong Scottish diaspora in 2016, it is clear
that those connections are still strong.
