This year marks several important anniversaries for the New Zealand High Commission (NZHC) in Singapore. Amongst them is the 60th Anniversary of New Zealand and Singapore’s establishment of diplomatic relations, the second country after the United Kingdom to do so; the 50th Anniversary of the founding of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and poignantly, the 10th Anniversary of the passing of Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
To mark Mr. Lee’s milestone anniversary year, NZHC organised a photo exhibition in the lobby of the New Zealand High Commission office building at One George Street. Held in March, the exhibition featured 12 photos that succinctly captured the enduring friendship between Singapore and New Zealand. It highlighted significant and cordial interactions between Mr. Lee and various New Zealand Prime Ministers throughout his tenure as Prime Minister, Senior Minister, and Minister Mentor. The exhibition served as a strong reminder of the robust bilateral ties between our two countries under his well-regarded stewardship.
The photographs, which we received from the National Archives of Singapore, captured key moments in the relationship between Singapore and New Zealand and depicted a journey marked by mutual respect and collaboration, but also deep personal connections that transcended diplomatic and state formalities. In many of the images, Mr. Lee, who is not known for being casual, looked the part of someone comfortable and relaxed in the company of New Zealand’s leaders.
“The exhibition succinctly captured the enduring friendship between Singapore and New Zealand'”
Reliable Ally
Mr. Lee’s fondness for New Zealand is well-documented, stemming from his view of the country as a reliable ally in a complex geopolitical landscape, its stable political environment, and its strategic importance, especially during times of regional uncertainty. This sentiment was echoed in many of the photographs on display, which captured moments of candid conversation and camaraderie between Mr. Lee and New Zealand Prime Ministers, including Mr. Walter Nash, Mr. Keith Holyoake, Mr. Norman Kirk, Mr. Robert Muldoon, Mr. David Lange, and Ms. Helen Clark, among others.
The exhibition also underscored the Singapore – New Zealand relationship on the trade, defence, people, and culture fronts. The Enhanced Partnership, established in 2019 and updated in 2024 further solidified these ties, showcasing a commitment to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors.
Visitors to the exhibition were moved by Mr. Lee’s interactions with New Zealand leaders, which were characterised by an openness to dialogue and a willingness to learn from one another, traits that continue to inspire Singapore’s current leaders.
This exhibition stands as a testament to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s enduring influence on Singapore’s foreign relations and his belief in fostering deep and strong ties with nations like New Zealand.
These are some of the incredible photos featured at the exhibition featuring Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew with New Zealand Prime Ministers over the course of his leadership.
(Photo credit: National Archives of Singapore)
