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. 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 government's policy on apartheid. In 1984, New Zealand severed diplomatic relations with South Africa. This followed the election of the
Labour government of
David Lange, which pledged to close the South African consulate in
Wellington. After the release of
Nelson Mandela from prison and progress on the
negotiations to end apartheid in South Africa came to fruition; New Zealand re-established diplomatic relations with South Africa on 19 January 1994. In 1995, South Africa hosted the
Rugby World Cup and the last game was between New Zealand and South Africa; which deepened the relationship between both fans and politicians of both nations. In November that same year, President Nelson Mandela paid an official visit to New Zealand. In 1996 New Zealand opened a High Commission in Pretoria and South Africa followed suit by opening a High Commission in Wellington in 2009. ==Migration==