Thinking alike?
Perceptions of migrant networks and governing agencies
about bilateral relationships:
the case of Hungary and New Zealand
by
Dr. Adrienna Ember
www.diversityinstitute.co.nz
Presentation at the International Workshop
ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF IMMIGRATION AND POPULATION DIVERSITY
University of Waikato 11 April – 13 April 2012
Introduction
1) Background: EU – New Zealand – Hungary
2) Summary of Methodologies
3) Summary of Survey Results
4) Conclusion
1. Background
1) EU Enlargement 2004 and 2007 by 12 new Member States
2) New Zealand's low engagement and visibility in the agriculturally
“sensitive” new Member States:
Why would they vote in favour of New Zealand on matters like
trade restrictions or special allowances for agricultural imports?
3) Growing attention in NZ at governmental and academic level
since 2004 pared with low visibility and understanding in the media
and public.
NZ Speaker's Tour 2008
Source: The New Zealand Herald, 13 March 2008
Do they have
common interests?
“Hungary and New Zealand have more in common than might
be first apparent. They’re both intensely parochial countries,
who think they’re at the centre of the world.
They’re both isolated: New Zealand by 1000s of miles of ocean,
Hungary by an impenetrable language. Maybe they could find
some common ground to work on…”
Scott Alexander Young, New Zealand Film Producer and
Director, Hungary 2007
2. Summary of Methodology
Scope of Study: political, diplomatic, commercial, scientific, and
cultural interactions between NZ and Hungary from the 1970s
until 2007

Theoretical Framework: Small State Theory + Theory on the
Role of Ethnic Networks in International Trade

Research Design: qualitative based on interviews,
questionnaires, and case studies in New Zealand and Hungary
(2005 and 2007), combined with macro-level statistics and
official analyses to enhance validity.

Summary of Methodology cont’d
Source of Information: for profit and non-profit organisations,
export-import institutions, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chambers
of Commerce, trade-consortiums, research centres, universities,
other government departments, associations, individuals

Number of research participants: 31 in Hungary and 30 in New
Zealand

Limitations: as the sample is not random, generalisations to the
larger population, either in New Zealand or in Hungary, should
not be made.

3. Most Significant Survey Results
Diplomacy
Trade
Research / Education
New Zealand’s visibility
in Hungary
Tourism
DIPLOMACY
Positive Developments:
 Number of visits in both directions
 Purpose of visits extended from trade to science and education
Criticism:
 Failure to sign a Working Holiday Scheme and an Agreement on
Social Security (primarily blocked by Hungary)
 Lack of public visibility of visits
 Lack of interaction with New Zealand’s diaspora in Hungary
 Task & effectiveness of Honorary Consulate
DIPLOMACY
Suggestions of survey participants to the NZ
Government & diplomatic bodies:
Accessible information system on legal and market conditions in
Hungary or reference to resources


Database for networking

New Zealand promotional material (Kiwiana)

Meetings with expatriates before or after official visits
At operational levels: more direct ties between different
government bodies and professional organisations (agriculture,
development aid, education, IT, biotechnology)

TRADE
New Zealand Exports to Hungary 2000-2011 in NZ$
Source: Statistics New Zealand, March 2012
TRADE
New Zealand Imports from Hungary 2000-2011 in NZ$
Source: Statistics New Zealand, March 2012
TRADE
Suggestions of survey participants to New Zealand
Trade & Enterprise (NZTE):
New Zealand trade office in the Central and Eastern European
region
 List Hungary under the relevant NZTE foreign office

www.nzte.govt.nz/about-nzte/international-offices/pages/europe-middle-east-and-africa.aspx
Chance in infrastructural and agricultural development in the
emerging markets in the Balkan

New Zealand Trade & Enterprise position (2008):
According to the Hamburg office there were no plans to
promote New Zealand in the region.
Tourism, Research & Education
Suggestions of survey participants to the NZ Government &
Tourism New Zealand:
Sign Working Holiday Scheme
 Support existing co-operations/projects in the areas of music
education, agriculture and biotechnology (e.g. scholarships)
 Promote NZ in Central- and Eastern Europe

Tourism New Zealand position (2008):
The focus remains on traditional Western Europe and no
opening towards the new EU Member States is to expect.
New Zealand's visibility in Hungary
Suggestions of survey participants to the NZ
Government & Tourism New Zealand:
Promote NZ in Central- and Eastern Europe!
Position of NZ Government & Tourism New Zealand:
No promotion necessary.
4. Conclusion
New Zealand – Hungary Relations - SWOT Analysis
STRENGTHS:
 Diplomatic ties in the form of high level bilateral visits;
 Small scale but growing bilateral trade;
 Some academic and research relations (music science,
diary and farm management);
 Active members of the New Zealand Diaspora in
Hungary and Hungarian Diaspora in New Zealand;
WEAKNESSES:
 Low visibility of NZ in Hungary in general;
 Lack of any kind of NZ promotion;
 Low level of interaction at operational levels;
 NZ Diaspora’s experiences and connections not utilised;
 Lack of Working Holiday Scheme or similar work visa for
young people;
 Hungary is not accredited to any NZTE office on the
NZTE foreign posts website;
 Lack of any reference where to turn to for business and
legal information or network opportunities on the NZTE
site for those interested in Hungary;
OPPORTUNITIES:
 NZ Diaspora in Hungary;
 Hungarian minority in New Zealand;
 More intense student and researcher exchanges in
certain areas;
 Immigration: Hungary as source of young professionals
– most of them speak English);
 Tourism: might grow when temporary working
opportunities given;
 Collaboration between different professional and
ministerial institutions (e.g. “sell” NZ training in aid
development and implementation);
THREATS:
 Hungary’s interests in preserving the CAP and in
agricultural market protection;
 Even existing New Zealand’s brands may disappear in
Hungary without additional promotion and regular
availability in quantities demanded;
Thank you for your attention.
www.diversityinstitute.co.nz
[email protected]