India country profile
The India country profile is based on our latest New Zealanders’ Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples report. The survey was carried out in January and February 2026. Supplementary data relating to travel is from Stats NZ. The 2026 Perceptions of Asia survey was carried out after the announcement that New Zealand and India had concluded free trade negotiations in December 2025 and before the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Auckland in July 2026.
New Zealand and India have a long-standing relationship built on shared Commonwealth and democratic traditions, people-to-people connections, trade, education and sporting links.
Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1952, although connections between the two countries go back much further, including Indian migration to New Zealand from the 1890s.
The Indian community in New Zealand — around 300,000 people — is an important connection between the two countries, contributing substantially to business, education, culture and wider society.
In April 2026, the New Zealand–India FTA was signed in New Delhi and in 11 July 2026, during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to New Zealand, the two countries elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership and adopted a Roadmap to 2030.
This provides for closer cooperation in trade and investment, defence and maritime security, education, science and technology, agriculture, tourism, sport and culture.
The two governments have also set an ambitious goal of doubling two-way trade to NZ$7 billion by 2030.
How important is India to New Zealand’s future?
Sixty-one percent of New Zealanders see India as important to New Zealand’s future, up from 59 percent in the previous survey. Of these, 27 percent say that India is ‘very important’.
India's importance to New Zealand's future
Q: How important do you think India is to New Zealand’s future?
Perceptions of Asia 2026
Why do New Zealanders see India as important?
New Zealanders view India as important primarily because of its large population, longstanding migration ties, trade imports and exports, as well as free trade deals and market opportunities.
Why is India important to New Zealand's future
Q: Why do you view [insert country] as important to New Zealand’s future? Top five responses
Perceptions of Asia 2026
“[India is a] big trade partner and a lot of migrants and workers who come here from India help the economy.”
Male, 30-34 years, New Zealand European, Wellington
How much trust do New Zealanders have in India to act responsibly in the world?
Twenty-three percent of New Zealanders say they have at least high trust in India to act responsibly in the world, up from 20 percent in the previous poll.
Forty-six percent express neutral trust in India, while 26 percent say they have low or very low trust.
New Zealanders' trust in middle powers
Q: How much trust do you have in the following major powers to act responsibly in the world?
Perceptions of Asia 2026
Friend and threat perceptions
Over half of New Zealanders identify India as a friend to New Zealand (54 percent). Of these, eight percent say that India is a close friend. These results are unchanged from the last survey.
Nine percent of New Zealanders say that India represents a threat to New Zealand, up two percentage points from the previous survey. Of these, just two percent say that India is a major threat.
“A Commonwealth country, lots of Indians living here who maintain links with India so lots of back and forth between the two countries.”
Female, 50-59 years, New Zealand European, Wellington
“[India is a friend because it is] part of the Commonwealth, connections through sport, namely cricket, and the number of Indian immigrants who have settled here.”
Male, 50-59 years, New Zealand European, Manawatū-Whanganui
How much do New Zealanders know about South Asia?
Just 29 percent of New Zealanders feel they know at least a fair amount about South Asia, making it the Asian sub-region New Zealanders are the least familiar with.
By contrast, 54 percent say they have at least a fair knowledge of North Asia, while 40 percent say the same about Southeast Asia.
New Zealanders’ travel to India
New Zealanders made a total of 771,196 return trips to Asia in the year to January 2026, an increase of over 14 percent from the year before.
India was New Zealanders’ second most visited country in Asia after China, with New Zealanders made a total of 114,884 return trips, and 11 percent increase over the previous year.
India was New Zealanders’ second most visited country in Asia after China
New Zealand-India sports ties
There is a strong sporting connection between New Zealand and India. While just 14 percent of New Zealanders follow Asia-related sports, 61 percent of those that do says it has helped them to learn about the region, including its geography, cultures and traditions.
“An example [of what I learnt] was when Indian team members had restricted eating due to Ramadan during a tour.”
“We are fans of the cricket players and curious about their lives and where they live and the cultural practices of their country. I am Indian South African and my ancestors were from India, so our cultures are similar.”
Entertainment consumption
A third of New Zealanders (34 percent) consume entertainment made in or relating to Asia at least monthly, with 17 percent doing so at least weekly.
New Zealanders were asked where in Asia produces the entertainment they enjoy the most. India came in fourth after Japan, Korea and China, with 18 percent selecting it.
“I admire [Indian] culture and tikanga. I would love to immerse myself and learn hands-on the stories and experiences.”
Download the full 2026 Perceptions of Asia report
pdf, 12.47 MB
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