Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul received a traditional Maori welcome in Auckland on 21 August 2026, before Thailand and New Zealand exchanged their first agreement on cultural cooperation.

The official visit, accompanied by his wife, comes as the two countries mark 70 years of diplomatic relations and seek to elevate ties to a Strategic Partnership. It is the first official visit to New Zealand by a Thai prime minister in 13 years.

Maori welcome at Government House

At 10am local time at New Zealand's Government House in Auckland, five hours ahead of Thailand, Anutin and his wife were greeted by the resident Maori elder, or Kaumatua, and senior Maori woman, or Kuia. They exchanged the customary hongi, touching noses.

The Prime Minister then took part in the Wero, a Maori ritual in which a warrior places a carved object on the ground for a visitor to pick up, signalling peaceful intentions. This was followed by the Karanga ceremonial call of welcome and a Haka performance.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his wife then received the Thai delegation. The military band played the Thai and New Zealand national anthems, after which Anutin inspected the guard of honour.

Inside Government House, Anutin signed the visitors' book before the two leaders and their spouses took photographs and exchanged commemorative gifts.

At 10.30am, Anutin and Luxon held a small-group discussion on the future direction of bilateral relations following the move towards a Strategic Partnership. They also discussed their countries' role in supporting regional peace, stability and prosperity, as well as economic strength and people-to-people links. A full delegation meeting was scheduled at 11am.

Five-year agreement for arts and heritage

The cultural cooperation agreement was exchanged in the presence of both prime ministers during Anutin's official visit to Australia and New Zealand.

Thai Culture Minister Sabida Thaised represented Thailand, while New Zealand Trade and Investment, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay, also an associate foreign affairs minister, represented New Zealand Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Paul Goldsmith.

Pictures courtesy of ThaiRath

Sabida said it was the first cultural agreement between the two countries. The five-year framework originated from a Thai initiative in 2021, and Thailand's Cabinet approved the draft on 18 August 2026.

It covers visual and performing arts, fine and applied arts, crafts, museums, archaeology, architecture, cultural heritage, anthropology, ethnology, film and video, history, literature, and cultural and creative industries. It also permits other areas of cooperation agreed by both sides.

Relevant agencies will now develop an action plan, including exchanges of personnel and knowledge, cultural projects, museum and heritage work, and support for film and creative industries.

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22 August 2026

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So embarrassing...this haka thing