O'Connor announces further investment in soil
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has announced a $6.25 million investment in mapping New Zealand’s most valuable soils.
An upgraded free trade agreement (FTA) between New Zealand and China comes into force from April 7.
"This upgrade is a significant step for us and forms part of a body of work we're doing to drive our economic recovery from Covid," Trade and Export Minister Damien O'Connor says.
The date was agreed in a virtual meeting last week between O'Connor and his Chinese counterpart, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao.
Goods and services exports between China and New Zealand reached $20.1 billion in the year ending June 2021. O'Connor says New Zealand businesses will benefit from up-to-date rules underpinning trade.
"This upgrade modernises the original 2008 New Zealand-China FTA to ensure it remains fit for purpose," he says.
The upgrade also includes new market access commitments in goods and services, and additional trade facilitation measures.
"In terms of goods, the upgrade will deliver further market access improvements, resulting in tariff-free access for 99 percent of New Zealand's $4 billion wood and paper trade to China, once fully implemented.
"Our existing FTA will also be augmented by new chapters in e-commerce, competition policy, government procurement and the environment."
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.