Mr Rodolfo Severino's presentation on New Zealand-ASEAN economic relations focused on a narrow dimension, specifically the relationship as an institution and process. New Zealand's relationship with ASEAN started as early as 1975. She was ASEAN's third dialogue partner, after the European Union and Australia. In 1977, New Zealand had a solo summit with ASEAN in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Mr Severino commented that New Zealand today participates annually in the East Asia Summit (EAS).

Describing New Zealand as a small country with a population smaller than Singapore, with a purchasing power parity (PPP) smaller than each of the original five ASEAN member countries. As such, New Zealand is a relatively small market for ASEAN products. Conversely, New Zealand's exports to ASEAN are more than 7 per cent of New Zealand's overall exports to the world. The five original members of ASEAN are among New Zealand's top twenty countries receiving New Zealand's exports. New Zealand is a major supplier of ASEAN's dairy products, meat and wood products. On the reverse, New Zealand imports electronics, electrical appliances, other manufactured products including motor vehicles, fruits, vegetables, petroleum products and other resource-based products from ASEAN.

Mr Severino stated that despite the small size of New Zealand's market and economy, there were still 90,000 Kiwi visitors to ASEAN in 2001. The visitors from ASEAN to New Zealand amount to another telling figure — 252,000. Additionally, more than half of foreign students in New Zealand hail from ASEAN countries though this trend is changing with students from mainland China fast overtaking the ASEAN student population.

Moving to New Zealand's official development assistance (ODA) to ASEAN, Mr Severino applauded New Zealand's efforts in the region. As a developed country, she has shared her experiences and advances and this has been the basis from which ASEAN initiated the dialogue relationship with New Zealand. At the third ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue in 1977, both sides agreed on several projects relating to New Zealand's strengths; animal husbandry, reforestation, pine forest development and a survey of the end uses of timber.