Dame Silvia, who will also be visiting aircraft manufacturer Airbus, is in Germany to promote New Zealand trade and tourism and to highlight New Zealand/German co-operation in areas such as education, film making and science and technology. Dame Silvia's visit, on an official invitation from President Rau, is the first-ever State Visit from New Zealand to Germany in over 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Dame Silvia, who will also be visiting aircraft manufacturer Airbus, is in Germany to promote New Zealand trade and tourism and to encourage increased New Zealand/German co-operation in areas such as education, film making and science and technology. Dame Silvia's visit, on an official invitation from President Rau, is the first-ever State Visit from New Zealand to Germany in over 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.