As part of the new ASEAN strategy, New Zealand has made up an aspirant investment, trade and economic goals. Total trade between ASEAN and New Zealand has risen by an average of 9 percent per annum over the past ten years. New Zealand is the fourth largest trading partner among the ten member states of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The new ASEAN strategy is designed to provide the framework for governments and companies to work together in the region. The strategy is focusing on countries or regions of key importance to New Zealand over the next five years. Moreover, its aim is to aid New Zealand’s exports to the ASEAN area by 40 percent by the end of 2017.