Taiwan Looks to Closer Relations

The number of Taiwanese visiting New Zealand has increased by 4 per cent since Wellington granted Republic of China passport holders visa-free privileges last year, Taiwanese representative to New Zealand Elliot Charng said. New Zealand is in favour of a free-trade system, which is seen as beneficial to export-driven economies, such as Taiwan, which is why the nation wants to establish closer economic relations with the South Pacific country. Charng said his office is also planning to expand a popular working holiday program under which up to 6 young people a year can sign up to do casual work in New Zealand to finance themselves for a year while they vacation in the country.