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.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Dairy prices have jumped in the overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, breaking a five-month negative streak.
Alliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is leaving the company after three years in the role.
A booklet produced in 2025 by the Rotoiti 15 trust, Department of Conservation and Scion – now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – aims to help people identify insect pests and diseases.

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