New Zealand–South Africa relations
New Zealand–South Africa relations refers to the diplomatic relations between New Zealand and South Africa. Both countries are members of the Cairns Group, Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations. History Both nations are historically linked through the British Empire. Although there was very little contact between both territories at the time; between 1899 and 1902, New Zealand contributed over 6,000 soldiers to fight alongside the British during the Second Boer War to fight against primarily Afrikaans-speaking settlers of the Transvaal Republic and Orange Free State. Approximately 230 New Zealanders lost their lives in the war which resulted in a British win over the whole of South Africa. During World War I and World War II; soldiers from both New Zealand and South Africa fought alongside each other in Europe and North Africa. South Africa obtained its independence from Great Britain in 1934 while New Zealand obtained its independence in 1947. After World War II, South Africa adopted the policy of apartheid against the majority black South African population. New Zealand maintained diplomatic relations with the country until controversy erupted during the 1981 South Africa rugby union tour of New Zealand which led to mass protest against the South African