‘The Netherlands can learn a thing or two from New Zealand when it comes to inclusion’

The Netherlands and New Zealand have a lot in common: they’re both small, progressive countries with a large agricultural sector. But there are big differences, too. Ard van der Vorst, Dutch ambassador to New Zealand, believes the two countries can learn a lot from each other. ‘I’m keen to find out – by talking and listening to people – how the different groups in this country relate to each other.’

Ard van der Vorst (left), during a meeting with the Pacific LGBTIQ-community Moana Vā. Image: ©Dutch embassy Wellington

What was the first thing you noticed when you took up your post in New Zealand?

‘My first impressions were the same as nearly everyone’s: stunning natural beauty and friendly people. My husband and I feel very welcome here. A closer look has revealed things that I didn’t know. Like the enormous challenge of preserving the country’s natural beauty. Climate change and pollution are affecting communities and biodiversity. It’s shocking to see how much pressure biodiversity is under. New Zealand also has relatively high greenhouse gas emissions and is addressing several challenges facing its agricultural sector, which is a big source of income for the country.’
 

Why did you want to become the ambassador to New Zealand?

‘New Zealand is a fascinating country in many ways. I also have family here – they’re part of a community of 150,000 people with Dutch roots. Many arrived during the wave of emigration after the Second World War, and the policy then was for newcomers to assimilate as quickly as possible. People were expected to become fluent in English quickly and there was a deliberate policy of spreading Dutch immigrants across the country.
‘As the Dutch government’s representative here, I have many political contacts. But my inbox also contains invitations to a couple’s 50th wedding anniversary, for example, or a 100th birthday celebration. Sometimes it feels like I’m the honorary mayor of this vibrant community, besides being an ambassador. It’s good fun.’
 

Ard van der Vorst. Image: ©Ministry of Foreign Affairs

What are themes that New Zealand and the Netherlands work on together?

‘It’s good to point out that we gravitate towards one another in international contexts. We’re natural partners. And because of countries being arranged by alphabet at international meetings, we’re also fortunate to be seated next to each other on these occasions. We work together and have similar views on issues like human rights, including equal rights for women and LGBTI+ people. There are also close ties between our countries in the areas of agriculture and innovation.’
‘Climate change is another major topic of concern for us both. Prime Ministers Mark Rutte and Jacinda Ardern signed a statement in 2019 that our countries would work together on climate action. This common stance was demonstrated at the last two climate summits, COP26 in Glasgow and COP27 in Sharm el Sheik.’

‘There is also close collaboration between our countries’ business communities in the areas of climate and technology. A concrete example of this is the electric tugboat that was built by a Dutch shipyard and has been operational in Ports of Auckland for some months now.
‘We also have special cultural ties. The Netherlands is the only country in the northern hemisphere with a waka taua, a traditional Māori war canoe. It was gifted on permanent loan to the National Museum of Ethnology in Leiden in 2010. Its full name is waka taua Te Hono ki Aotearoa, which translates as The Link to New Zealand.
‘Members of the Njord rowing club have been taught how to use and maintain the waka taua. This exchange might not seem so unusual, but it actually has great significance. For the Māori, the many types of waka are deeply linked to regional, tribal and cultural identity. In February 2023 a large group of Dutch rowers visited New Zealand. This is an annual event.’

Ard van der Vorst (on the right) visiting a farm in New Zealand. Image: ©Dutch embassy Wellington

What are your focus issues for the years ahead?

‘I’m also ambassador to many of the island nations in the South Pacific, such as Fiji, Samoa, Tuvalu, Tonga, Kiribati and the Cook Islands. The embassy also provides consular support – such as travel document and visa services – to people in French Polynesia and New Caledonia. Recently I visited some of these islands.
‘On the islands, the impact of climate change is clearly visible. Sea-level rise and changing rainfall patterns are things that confront the approximately 70,000 inhabitants of Tongatapu (Tonga’s main island) every day. Besides climate change, the islands’ geography generally makes them more vulnerable to natural disasters. At the beginning of 2022, Tonga was hit by a powerful volcanic eruption, which then caused a tsunami.
‘How does such a disaster affect a community? How do they deal with it? These are things we’re keen to learn. The island nations in turn want to know what helpful ideas Dutch companies can offer. Like floating farms. Or a sand motor to protect the coast. That’s a good example of Dutch innovation in coastal defence, a solution that could make a difference in the constant battle against the rising waters.’
In March 2023 the Kingdom of the Netherlands will co-host the UN 2023 Water Conference in New York, together with the Republic of Tajikistan. Sea-level rise and the problems it is causing will be a major discussion topic. The ambassador wants to talk about practical solutions for these islands. ‘This means solutions that are realistic and affordable,’ he explains.

What do you hope to have achieved in your role as Dutch ambassador a couple of years from now?

‘In addition to our existing joint efforts with New Zealand in the areas of climate, human rights and trade, I hope, as part of the embassy team, to increase knowledge and expertise about the South Pacific, particularly the island groups. I would like to hear and pass on the islands’ stories, and the impact that climate change has on the lives of people there.
‘It’s inevitable that our Kingdom, too, will be increasingly confronted with the effects of climate change. So it’s good to learn about how the islands in the South Pacific deal with that. Their experiences, initiatives and creative solutions could prove useful for Aruba, Curaçao, St Maarten and the Caribbean Netherlands. I hope to be instrumental in helping to share this knowledge.’
‘I’m also keen to find out – by talking and listening to people – how the different groups in New Zealand relate to each other. The country is part of the anglosphere and, in recent decades, Māori culture has enjoyed a renaissance. This is a country of immigrants. A large number of people have European ancestry but there are also minority populations with Chinese and South Asian roots.
‘I want to know how these groups relate to and reinforce each other, how they address discrimination and exclusion, and how they talk about these issues. I’m keen to listen and learn from these conversations, which can provide useful input for our own dialogue on inclusion.’