The New Zealand Prime Minister's official visit to France in 2003 opened a new chapter in bilateral relations, moving on from the past and focusing on rekindling both countries' ties, particularly in the South Pacific.

[1] Relations between France and New Zealand were strained for two short periods in the 1980s and 1990s over the French nuclear tests at Moruroa and the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland harbour.

The latter was widely regarded as an act of state terrorism against New Zealand's sovereignty and was ordered by then French President François Mitterrand, although he denied any involvement at the time.

But relations had been cordial in the decades prior to the Rainbow Warrior incident, epitomised by New Zealand's swift reaction in both World Wars, siding both times with allied forces.

This was the first time the division had failed in a major operation and remains the worst disaster in New Zealand's history in terms of lives lost in a single day.

It commits its signatories to "exchange information to ensure the best use of their assets and other resources for relief operations after cyclones and other natural disasters in the region".

The FRANZ Agreement applies to South Pacific and includes Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, and others decided on a case-by-case basis.

The incident occurred late at night when two agents Captain Dominique Prieur and Commander Alain Mafart attached two Limpet mines to the hull of the ship and detonated them 10 minutes apart.

The act sparked one of the most intense police investigations in New Zealand history and eventually led to the capture of both Mafart and Prieur passing themselves off as "Sophie and Alain Turenge."

[9] According to the All Blacks' coach at the time, Brian Lochore, the previous year's loss in Nantes was the catalyst for their World Cup victory.

[11] The match also helped improve the diplomatic and political rift between France and New Zealand caused by the 1985 bombing of the Rainbow Warrior by French Secret Service agents.

The match was won by France 20–18, and involved several controversial decisions by referee Wayne Barnes,[15] who subsequently received death threats from some New Zealand fans.

New Zealand and France have been very large trading partners in recent years, with France being New Zealand 15th Largest Trading Partner for 2007 with exports totalling NZD$401.3 million (mainly: Sheepmeat, fish fillets, venison and medicaments) and imports totalling NZD$679.6 million (mainly:Motor vehicles, wine and machinery equipment).

This increase in military cooperation has warmed relations in both nations, with Jeanne d'Arc's, Captain Phillippe Combes saying of the March 2001 exercise: "During the period of the French nuclear tests we were embarrassed to come into this region, but since they have halted we are seen with a more benevolent eye and are welcomed everywhere we go."

Craft involved in the 2001 wargame: Simulated attacks on the ships were also carried out, in order to test anti-aircraft defence systems, by RNZAF Skyhawks and RAAF Hornets.

Commanding officer of the Vendémiaire Olivier Beauchêne stated: "This is the first time the French Navy takes part in this kind of exercise, and at this level, with Australian and New Zealand armies.

[23] There are many official contacts between New Zealand and the French Republic, which provide the opportunity for high-level discussions and the continued development of bilateral relations.