01 Aug 2025
1 year ago
2119 views
The United States will increase tariffs on New Zealand exports from 10% to 15% starting August 7, aligning New Zealand with other US trading partners like Japan and South Korea based on trade deficits. Despite New Zealand's modest surplus of around US$500 million with the US, the overall trade relationship is balanced and complementary. Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay is urgently seeking to discuss the tariff increase with the US Trade Representative to mitigate its impact on exporters and consumers and maintain the strength of the trading relationship.
29 Jul 2025
1 year ago
1850 views
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay is urging farmers, foresters, and growers in the Top of the South, Bay of Plenty, and parts of Northland to prepare for adverse weather conditions, with orange rain warnings issued for these regions due to significant rainfall expected. MPI staff are on standby to assist, with additional support deployed in affected areas, such as the Top of the South and the Bay of Plenty. Farmers are advised to relocate stock to higher ground in preparation for the storm, and are encouraged to stay updated on weather warnings for further guidance.
28 Jul 2025
1 year ago
3189 views
Farmer confidence in New Zealand has reached an eight-year high, indicating the resilience of the sector and progress towards doubling export value. The shift in sentiment is evident from the latest Federated Farmers Confidence Survey, showing a significant increase in confidence levels. This positive trend is attributed to the hard work of rural New Zealanders and government support, with key improvements in profitability, productivity, and mental health reported.
22 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2142 views
The NZ-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) legislation has passed, giving Kiwi exporters access to a $500 billion market that imports 90% of its food, with tariffs on 98.5% of exports immediately removed, rising to 99% in three years. Agriculture, Trade, and Investment Minister Todd McClay highlights the benefits of the agreement in lowering costs, increasing access, and enhancing New Zealand's presence in the Middle East, aiming to capitalize on UAE consumers' demand for safe, fresh products. The CEPA aims to boost two-way trade between New Zealand and the UAE, worth $1.35 billion last year, by reducing red tape, promoting services trade, and supporting investment links, aligning with the government's goal of doubling export value in a decade.
18 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2041 views
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay announced a resolution to a dairy dispute between Canada and New Zealand under the CPTPP, projecting a $157m annual export value increase for New Zealand dairy exporters. New Zealand initiated dispute settlement proceedings due to limited dairy market access in Canada, leading to a favorable ruling and subsequent agreement for improved access through quota adjustments and penalties for misuse. McClay emphasized the importance of upholding CPTPP obligations, praised Canada for constructive engagement, and highlighted the agreement's reinforcement of the rules-based trading system.
16 Jul 2025
1 year ago
3056 views
The Government is increasing financial support for rural communities in the Nelson Tasman Region, with an additional $600,000 in funding announced by Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay. This brings the total Government contribution to $500,000 to aid farmers, foresters, growers, and rural contractors in recovering from recent severe weather events. The support package includes contributions to the Mayoral Relief Fund, Farmers Adverse Events Trust, Horticulture sector, and coordination efforts to assist affected vineyards, with a focus on providing immediate and meaningful assistance to help rural businesses recover quickly.
04 Jul 2025
1 year ago
3233 views
The Government is backing innovation to grow New Zealand’s high-value aquaculture exports, with a $455,000 investment from the new Primary Sector Growth Fund to support the development of specialised feed for King salmon, Agriculture, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay announced today. The $1. 2 million project—led by global aquafeed company Skretting—will design feed tailored specifically for New Zealand’s King salmon, supporting the growth of open ocean farming and helping reduce costs for local producers.
30 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2317 views
The Government today classified the flooding across the Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough regions as a medium-scale adverse event unlocking extra support for flood-affected farmers and growers Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson say. “Last week’s deluge damaged infrastructure such as livestock fences, culverts, and tracks, and left pasture and orchards covered in silt and flood debris,” Mr McClay says. “The Government is making up to $100,000 available to support and coordinate recovery efforts, including up to $20,000 for the Top of the South Rural Support Trust.
25 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2387 views
Parliament has today passed legislation to formally establish Invest New Zealand, clearing the way for the new investment attraction agency to begin operations on 1 July 2025. “This marks a major step in the Government’s plan to grow the economy by attracting more international capital, businesses and talent into New Zealand,” Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay says. “Invest New Zealand will have a clear commercial focus—working directly with global investors to unlock opportunities that create jobs, boost innovation, and lift our long-term productivity.
25 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2112 views
The Government has taken a major step towards protecting food production by ending the large-scale conversion of productive farmland into pine plantations, with the first reading of the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme—Forestry Conversion) Amendment Bill receiving unanimous support in Parliament last night. “This Bill is about protecting our most valuable land that grows food for export and sustains rural communities,” Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay says. “For too long, ETS incentives have driven the wrong outcomes for our rural sector.
24 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2418 views
The Government is investing a further $150,000 to support implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement—ensuring New Zealand exporters can compete on a level playing field while helping protect global fish stocks. “This is about backing rules that stop unfair subsidies and make sure all countries are held to the same standards,” Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay says. “It’s in New Zealand’s direct interest to see this Agreement fully implemented—especially in the Pacific, where many of our key partners operate and where our seafood exporters are active.
18 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2357 views
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson have welcomed a new certification scheme, announced by the Prime Minister in Shanghai today, that unlocks access to China’s $200 million cosmetics and skincare market — a move that will drive stronger returns for New Zealand exporters and boost the economy. “This is a smart, practical step that removes a long-standing trade barrier and opens up valuable new channels for our exporters,” McClay says. “It means more high-quality, innovative New Zealand products on shelves in China - not just online, but in stores across one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets.
16 Jun 2025
1 year ago
2048 views
The Government has signed a new halal cooperation arrangement in Jakarta over the weekend to strengthen trade access to Indonesia and create new opportunities for New Zealand’s red meat and dairy exporters, Agriculture and Trade Minister, Todd McClay announced today. “Indonesia is an important growth market for dairy and meat products – worth over $1. 1 billion in exports last year.