At a state luncheon, the King said New Zealand and Spain were "getting to know each other better" - then the royal couple got to know New Zealand's finest cuisine with venison, beef, kumara, pavlova and local wines all on the menu.
Relations between the countries offered "many possibilities" during the global financial crisis, King Juan Carlos said.
"Achieving greater closeness between our two countries is the main purpose of our state visit to New Zealand."
That closeness will come from the up to 200 young New Zealanders who can live and work in Spain for a year under a new reciprocal working holiday scheme.
Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman and Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Angel Lossada Torres-Quebedo signed the agreement yesterday.
Like most of New Zealand's other working holiday schemes, it applies to people aged between 18 and 30.
Also signed was a mutual voting rights agreement enabling New Zealanders living in Spain to vote in municipal elections there and Spaniards resident here to vote in New Zealand's general and local elections.
The King and Queen opened a Spanish embassy in Manners Mall in Wellington which will allow the new agreements to be managed.
Prime Minister John Key said New Zealand had "strong aspirations to strengthen and broaden its long-standing ties with the European Union" and Spain was a "good friend" in the EU.
He touted yachting - especially the America's Cup - as an area of mutual benefit and enjoyment, but said Spain's 5-0 thrashing of soccer's All Whites at the Confederations Cup was not so friendly.
The royals leave for Australia today.
- NZPA
