22 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1698 views
New 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.
22 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1486 views
Prime 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.
18 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1583 views
State 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.
05 Dec 2025
11 months ago
1231 views
New 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.
02 Dec 2025
11 months ago
1201 views
The 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.
02 Dec 2025
11 months ago
1114 views
Trade 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.
02 Dec 2025
11 months ago
1249 views
Trade 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.
01 Dec 2025
11 months ago
1194 views
New 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.
28 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1166 views
New 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.
27 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1218 views
The 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.
26 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1251 views
The 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.
25 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1183 views
Minister 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.
21 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1185 views
Trade 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.
20 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1127 views
The 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.
18 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1116 views
Trade 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.