Visit of German Foreign Minister to New Zealand
On 2 June 2011, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle arrived in Auckland for his first visit to New Zealand. He discussed current international topics, especially the situation in North Africa and the Middle East with Foreign Minister Murray McCully. Mr Westerwelle referred to New Zealand as 'a country of friends' with Germany and New Zealand sharing common values and similar positions on global issues and expressed his solidarity with New Zealand regarding the February earthquake in Christchurch.
Mr Westerwelle attended the signing of the agreement on New Zealand's Guest of Honour Status at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2012, praising the country's 'active and liveley' literary scene. Minister of Culture Chris Finlayson said that 'literature is one of our best-kept secrets' and New Zealand hoped to show that its culture consists of more than Rugby, scenery and adventure tourism.
Mr Westerwelle subsequently met with opposition leader Phil Goff before meeting New Zealand Prime Minister John Key for a one-hour talk the next day.