Marcos welcomes New Zealand Prime Minister Luxon at Malacañan Palace
President Marcos welcomed New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to the Malacañan Palace, where he even drove for him on their way in for their bilateral meeting.

After the arrival honors for Luxon on Thursday afternoon, April 18, Marcos drove a golf cart for the visiting leader from the Kalayaan Grounds on the way to the Palace's reception hall for the signing of the Guestbook.
The President usually walks with his visitors after the arrival ceremony.
The two leaders met to highlight the importance of the ties between the Philippines and New Zealand.
After the bilateral meeting, the two leaders will hold a joint press statement and a State Banquet for Luxon will follow in the evening.
The Philippines-New Zealand formal diplomatic relations span 57 years since its establishment on July 6, 1966.
Last year, New Zealand ranked as the Philippines’ 28th trading partner (out of 230) with total trade amounting to US$495.37 million. It is the country’s 38th export destination and 24th import source.
The Philippines has a $361.94 million trade deficit with New Zealand.
In terms of tourism, a total of 29,272 tourist arrivals from New Zealand were recorded in 2023, up from just 17,503 in 2022, making New Zealand the 22nd source of visitors to the Philippines.
Pending the results of the 2023 NZ Census on May 29, 2024, there are an estimated 79,998 Filipinos in New Zealand (72,612 based on the 2018 NZ Census, from only 40,347 in 2013 and 16,938 in 2006).