Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met with her British counterpart Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street, New Zealand time overnight.
During the meeting, they agreed to changes to the Youth Mobility Scheme, which currently allows people between the ages of 18 and 30 to live and work in the UK for up to two years.
The countries agreed in October last year to improve the scheme.
The changes mean young New Zealanders will now be able to spend three years in the UK. The age limit to be eligible for the visa will also increase to 35 years.
However, the changes to the scheme will not be implemented immediately. Both countries have committed themselves to launching them no later than 2024.
Ardern said the changes “reflect the depth of the NZ – UK relationship”.
The UK will continue to limit the number of spaces available to New Zealanders. The current quota for 2022 is 13,000 places.
New Zealand will set an annual limit of 15,000 places for UK citizens applying for the Working Holiday Scheme.
Ardern and Johnson have signed a new arrangement aimed at strengthening engagement between New Zealand and the UK on research, science and innovation-related policies.
The arrangement will be led by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industry Strategy.
Officials will be able to share priorities and review existing scientific collaboration under the agreement.
“Our new research, science and innovation arrangements will enable us to explore further opportunities to work together on some of the biggest science and innovation challenges facing the world today,” Ardern said. .
The leaders also agreed on a new fast-track customs process. The arrangement means that New Zealand and UK custom agencies will recognize their respective safe export schemes, enabling firms to export goods with limited inspections.
New Zealand and the UK have also made a commitment to ratify a free trade agreement as soon as possible.
A free trade agreement was signed with the United Kingdom in February.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she is not aware of any issues surrounding what is being ratified, but it is a matter of the agreement going through its legislative processes in both countries.
The legislative bill for the UK’s free trade agreement has been introduced to parliament, but is yet to have its first reading.
The Prime Ministers also discussed the significant challenges and opportunities facing the world today, and how the UK and New Zealand can respond together. To give leadership to these efforts, they agreed to establish an annual dialogue on foreign ministers.