RUSSIA
New Zealand's links with Russia are of a different order. Even without the super power status of the former Soviet Union, Russia still has significant weight internationally in areas of importance to New Zealand, like disarmament, environmental issues and the Antarctic. It has growing interest in the Asia-Pacific region and is a fellow member of several regional groupings: a dialogue partner with ASEAN, and a member of the ASEAN Regional Forum and APEC. Russia is an erratically lucrative market for New Zealand exporters and until recently our fastest growing.

Russia has considerable potential for growth, if it succeeds in overcoming its present economic and financial problems. It is a country rich in resources with a well-educated population. It currently lacks the infrastructure to capitalise on these but has the potential to become a world economic power and an expanding market.