Proceedings of the South Pacific conference on national parks and reserves, 24-27 February, 1975, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract

Our political and economic relations with Australia, the United States, Canada, Japan and the countries of South- East Asia are of particular importance. Almost half of our overseas trade is with Pacific countries, and this is growing steadily. As part of our good neighbour policy, we have tried to help in the economic development of other island states also, and to increase trade "between South Pacific countries. An important reason why New Zealand and its neighbours have become very closely associated, has been the movement of Pacific peoples to this country. Some are New Zealand citizens, and move freely back and forth. The Treaty of Friendship signed in August 1962, for instance, has maintained our long-standing association with Western Samoa, and has resulted in a steady flow of immigrants from that country.