Singapore country profile
How do New Zealanders view Singapore?
How do New Zealanders Singapore and its relationship with New Zealand? This country profile is based on our latest New Zealanders’ Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples report, which presents the results from a survey of 2,300 New Zealanders aged 15 years and over, conducted between 6 November and 4 December 2024. The results of the survey give a unique glimpse into the importance of Singapore to New Zealanders.
Importance to New Zealand's future:
56 percent of New Zealanders see Singapore as important to New Zealand’s future, making it the fourth most important country in Asia after China, Japan and India.
Singapore's importance to New Zealand's future
Q: How important do you think Singapore is to New Zealand’s future?
Perceptions of Asia 2025
Friend perceptions:
Singapore is one New Zealand’s closest friend in Asia, second only to Japan: 77 percent of New Zealanders identifying Singapore as a friend or close friend, up eight percentage points from the last survey. Only one percent of New Zealanders see Singapore as a threat.
Friend perceptions
Q: Do you view Singapore as a friend or a threat
Perceptions of Asia 2025
Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network members taking part in the Singapore Hui
Perceptions of Singapore as a friend increasing:
Singapore has consistently been seen as one of New Zealand’s closest friends in Asia, and positive sentiment has increased over time. While 64 percent of New Zealanders saw Singapore as a friend in 2018, 77 percent view it as a friend today.
A priority relationship:
32 percent of New Zealanders think New Zealand should invest extra effort into its relationship with Singapore. Trade and economic opportunities is the leading reason for wanting to strengthen ties, followed by technology and innovation.
A priority relationship
Q: Why should New Zealand invest extra effort into its relationship with Singapore?
Perceptions of Asia 2025
Trusted defence and security partner:
Singapore is seen as one of New Zealand’s most important defence and security partners in Asia, with 38 percent naming it as an important country to work with. Singapore’s importance has increased 10 percentage points since the last survey.
How much do New Zealanders know about Singapore:
40 percent of New Zealanders feel they know at least a fair amount about Southeast Asia, and 66 percent of New Zealanders can correctly locate Singapore on a map.
“We have strong economic relations with (Singapore) and they help our international trade. We have broadly aligned interests as two small trading nations in a similar geographic area.”
Female, 30-34 years, Chinese, Auckland
Download the Singapore Country Paper
pdf, 896.96 KB
Download the full Perceptions of Asia 2025 report
pdf, 8.36 MB
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