Business News & Articles
New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement Unlocks Major Export Opportunities
3 days ago | 90 viewsNew Zealand and India have finalized a Free Trade Agreement that eliminates or reduces tariffs on 95% of New Zealand’s exports, providing unprecedented access to India’s 1.4 billion consumers and significantly boosting trade opportunities across multiple sectors. The agreement includes duty-free access for key products like sheep meat, seafood, kiwifruit, apples, and mānuka honey, along with enhanced services trade, skilled work visas, and protections for iconic New Zealand products. This historic deal aims to create thousands of jobs, increase exports, and strengthen economic ties, with formal signing expected in the first half of next year.
Tags: New Zealand India Todd McClay Free Trade Agreement kiwifruit mānuka honey Trade and Investment Minister Treaty of Waitangi New Zealand exportersNew Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement: A Landmark Deal Boosting Exports and Jobs
3 days ago | 79 viewsPrime Minister Christopher Luxon hailed the conclusion of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement as a landmark achievement that fulfills a key campaign promise and opens significant opportunities for New Zealand exporters by removing tariffs on over half of exports to India. The agreement strengthens ties with India, the world's fastest-growing major economy, promising job creation, export growth, and a deeper partnership between the two nations. Extensive diplomatic engagement, including multiple high-level visits and trade missions, contributed to securing this high-quality deal that Prime Minister Modi also supports enthusiastically.
Tags: Christopher Luxon Narendra Modi Todd McClay Piyush Goyal New Zealand India Prime Minister Trade Minister Foreign MinisterNew Crown Directors Appointed to Airways and Kiwi Group Capital Boards
1 week ago | 92 viewsState Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown has appointed Mayurie Gunatilaka to the Airways Board and Susan Petersen to the Kiwi Group Capital Board, both for three-year terms. Gunatilaka brings extensive infrastructure governance experience to support Airways' air navigation services, while Petersen, also Chair of the Kiwibank Board, is the first KGC director to hold a position on Kiwibank’s Board, enhancing strategic alignment. These appointments aim to strengthen governance and leadership in critical sectors, with KGC adopting overlapping board memberships to boost strategic objectives while maintaining independent oversight.
Tags: Simeon Brown Mayurie Gunatilaka Susan Petersen Airways Board Kiwi Group Capital Kiwibank Board State Owned Enterprises Crown directors governance infrastructure planningUpdated Public-Private Partnership Guidance Boosts NZ Infrastructure Projects
2 weeks ago | 112 viewsNew Zealand has updated its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) guidance to enhance clarity, consistency, and effectiveness in infrastructure delivery, building on lessons from past projects and international models. Key improvements include bid cost reimbursement, price validation, flexible works completion regimes, and provisions for project expansions, aiming to attract global investment and improve project outcomes. The updated guidance supports government agencies in delivering durable infrastructure that meets high standards, addressing New Zealand’s infrastructure challenges and aligning with global best practices.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Court New Zealand Infrastructure Treasury PPP Blueprint Infrastructure Investment Summit Roads of National Significance Correctional FacilitiesNew Zealand’s Bold Strategy to Boost Foreign Investment and Economic Growth
3 weeks ago | 130 viewsThe New Zealand government recognizes that while the country excels in trade, it lags in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), which is crucial for boosting productivity, wages, and economic growth. To address this, the government has launched InvestNZ, a specialized Crown entity designed to attract and facilitate significant overseas investment by promoting New Zealand globally, supporting investors, and advising on policy improvements. InvestNZ targets key growth sectors with large-scale investment opportunities and aims to create a more competitive and resilient economy through increased capital inflows and stronger international partnerships.
Tags: Simon Bridges Rob Morrison Carmel Fisher David Tapsell Richard Hedley Mary MacLeod Ross George Robert Wall Charles Finny Catherine SavageInvest New Zealand Announces Inaugural Board to Boost Foreign Investment and Growth
3 weeks ago | 130 viewsTrade and Investment Minister Todd McClay announced the inaugural board appointments for Invest New Zealand, a new agency established in July 2025 to attract high-quality foreign investment that drives innovation, economic growth, and job creation. The board, chaired by Rob Morrison with Carmel Fisher as deputy chair, brings extensive domestic and international expertise to support the agency's mission of engaging multinational corporations and investors, including those applying for the Active Investor Plus Visa. McClay expressed confidence that the new board will provide strong leadership to grow capital, production, jobs, and the overall economy.
Tags: Todd McClay Rob Morrison Carmel Fisher David Tapsell Richard Hedley Mary MacLeod Ross George Charles Finny Catherine SavageInvestNZ Launches Strategic Growth Areas and Investment Prospectuses for NZ
3 weeks ago | 103 viewsTrade and Investment Minister Todd McClay announced the launch of Invest New Zealand, an agency focused on attracting significant foreign investment to boost the economy by targeting projects from $20 million to $1 billion and advising on supportive policies. InvestNZ will prioritize six strategic growth areas, including renewable energy, technology, and advanced manufacturing, while acting as a bridge between local investors and high-value opportunities. Additionally, three investment prospectuses for Tourism, Wood Processing, and Innovative Food Production were introduced to showcase New Zealand's competitive sectors and attract global investors.
Tags: Todd McClay Invest New Zealand Foreign Direct Investment InvestNZ Active Investor Plus Auckland Business Chamber Tourism Wood Processing Innovative Food Production New Zealand economyNew NZ Government Procurement Rules Boost Kiwi Businesses and Economic Benefits
3 weeks ago | 132 viewsNew government procurement rules, effective immediately, aim to boost Kiwi businesses by simplifying tender processes and introducing a minimum 10 percent economic benefit weighting in contract evaluations. The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment will monitor compliance and impact, ensuring agencies prioritize New Zealand economic benefits such as workforce participation and training. These changes apply to contracts over specified thresholds and comply with international trade obligations by allowing foreign companies to demonstrate economic benefits to New Zealand.
Tags: Nicola Willis government procurement New Zealand economic benefit Kiwi firms Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment government contracts workforce participation trade agreements tender processNew Zealand and Australia Boost PACER Plus with $10M Support for Pacific Trade Growth
3 weeks ago | 173 viewsNew Zealand and Australia have committed $10 million over five years to support PACER Plus, aiming to enhance export capabilities, diversify trade, attract investment, and boost labor mobility in Pacific countries. This new investment, announced five years after the agreement took effect, underscores ongoing commitment to regional trade growth, economic integration, and prosperity. The PACER Plus Development and Economic Cooperation Work Programme facilitates implementation, harmonizes trade infrastructure, and maximizes business opportunities across member nations.
Tags: Nicola Grigg Scott Simpson New Zealand Australia PACER Plus Pacific Islands Solomon Islands Minister of State for Trade and Investment Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Pacific regionGovernment Boosts Kiwi Exports by Cutting Trade Barriers and Expanding Market Access
4 weeks ago | 147 viewsThe New Zealand Government is actively reducing non-tariff trade barriers to support approximately $600 million in exports, boost business growth, and create jobs, with recent successes including expanded market access to China, Korea, and Mexico. Key initiatives such as trade agreements with the UAE, Gulf Cooperation Council, and ongoing negotiations with India have contributed to exports surpassing $100 billion for the first time, driven by strong growth in food and fibre sectors. Ministers Nicola Willis and Todd McClay emphasize that improving market access and trade certainty is essential for sustaining economic momentum, supporting jobs, and doubling export value within the next decade.
Tags: Nicola Willis Todd McClay New Zealand Kiwi exporters trade barriers exports China Mexico Korea NZ–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership AgreementChristchurch Council Named One-Stop Authority for Large Supermarket Consents
4 weeks ago | 141 viewsThe Christchurch City Council has been appointed as a one-stop consenting authority to streamline approvals for large-scale supermarket developments, reducing the need to navigate multiple councils and processes. This initiative aims to increase competition in a market dominated by Foodstuffs and Woolworths, encouraging new grocery businesses to enter and lower prices for consumers. The service focuses on standalone supermarket buildings over 500m² for non-regulated grocery retailers and complements faster consent processes like MultiProof to enable quicker supermarket construction.
Tags: Christchurch City Council Nicola Willis Foodstuffs Woolworths New Zealand Government MultiProof Regulated Grocery Retailers Kāinga Ora ConsentiumNew Zealand Minister Scott Simpson to Attend 2025 PACER Plus Meeting in Solomon Islands
1 month ago | 151 viewsMinister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Scott Simpson is traveling to the Solomon Islands to attend the 2025 PACER Plus Ministerial Meeting, emphasizing the agreement's role in strengthening economic growth and trade in the Pacific. Since PACER Plus began, New Zealand's trade with member countries has increased by 47 percent, highlighting the success of this partnership. During his visit, Simpson will also engage with the Solomon Islands–New Zealand Business Community and regional counterparts before returning to New Zealand on 28 November.
Tags: Scott Simpson PACER Plus Solomon Islands New Zealand Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Commerce Consumer Affairs Pacific Islands Australia TradeCosta Rica Nears CPTPP Membership as Trade Ministers Advance Accession Talks
1 month ago | 150 viewsTrade and Investment Minister Todd McClay welcomed progress on Costa Rica’s accession to the CPTPP, with ministers planning to announce substantial conclusions before year-end, making Costa Rica the second economy to join after the UK. Accession processes will also begin with Uruguay this year and with Indonesia, the Philippines, and the UAE in 2026, while discussions continue with other aspirant countries to meet the Auckland Principles. Additionally, inaugural Trade and Investment Dialogues with the EU and ASEAN were held to strengthen cooperation on digital trade, supply chain resilience, and support for WTO reform, emphasizing the importance of upholding international trade rules.
Tags: Todd McClay Costa Rica CPTPP United Kingdom Uruguay Indonesia Philippines United Arab Emirates European Union ASEANNZ Government Proposes Digital Food Labels to Boost New Supermarkets Entry
1 month ago | 176 viewsThe New Zealand Government is proposing a trial of digital food labelling for lower-risk imported goods to reduce costly re-labelling requirements for new supermarkets entering the market. This initiative aims to provide allergen, ingredient, and nutrition information via QR codes and digital platforms while ensuring compliance with food safety regulations. Public consultation on the trial is open until December 19, 2025, with the goal of enhancing market entry flexibility and supporting trans-Tasman digital labelling efforts.
Tags: Nicola Willis Andrew Hoggard New Zealand Food Act digital labels supermarkets food labelling food safety economic growthFIT Partnership Launches Initiative to Strengthen Global Supply Chain Resilience
1 month ago | 144 viewsTrade and Investment Minister Todd McClay joined the Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership to launch an initiative aimed at enhancing supply chain resilience through a Ministerial Declaration. The FIT Partnership, established in September 2025, serves as a platform for small and medium-sized economies to promote open, fair, and rules-based trade while welcoming new members Malaysia and Paraguay. This effort aims to provide greater certainty and reduced costs for exporters, boosting economic confidence amid global disruptions.
Tags: Todd McClay Future of Investment and Trade FIT Partnership supply chain resilience New Zealand Malaysia Paraguay trade investment Ministerial Meeting