Today is Commonwealth Day.

52 countries around the world will be marking the occasion, which this year has the theme 'A Peace-building Commonwealth'.

British High Commissioner to New Zealand Jonathan Sinclair has released a video, outlining why the Commonwealth matters to New Zealand.

"The values on which the Commonwealth is founded are the same which underpin the New Zealand nation. Rule of law, democracy and good governance."

Mr Sinclair said the Commonwealth also gives voice to the small island developing states that New Zealand spoke up for when it was on the UN Security Council and it also gives New Zealand a network around the world in places like Africa.