Damien O’Connor: NZ united on global trade
When it comes to international trade, politicians from all sides of the aisle are united, says Labour's trade spokesman Damien O'Connor.
NZ's free trade deal with the United Kingdom is a step closer, with the legislation enacting the deal having its first reading in Parliament in late July.
Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O'Connor says steady progress is being made toward ratifying the UK FTA.
"The elimination of tariffs, almost all when the agreement comes into force makes the UK FTA a gold-standard agreement," he claims. "It's one of the best deals we've ever negotiated and will boost our economy by up to $1 billion and provide us further economic security."
Negotiations were launched on the UK FTA in June 2020 and reached agreement-in-principle in October last year. Once both New Zealand and the United Kingdom have completed their ratification processes, the FTA can enter into force.
O'Connor says the Government aims to complete New Zealand's ratification processes by the end of this year.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
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