One of the biggest political developments of the year so far has been completing the New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a once‑in‑a‑generation step forward for New Zealand exporters into a market of 1.4 billion people.
This is particularly significant for Waitaki as the FTA will deliver significant gains for exporters, cutting or eliminating tariffs on 95 per cent of our exports.
The Waitaki’s wool, forestry, meat, seafood, and wine producers, and all the people and businesses associated with them will benefit.
From day one, more than half of New Zealand exports to India will be duty‑free, rising to 82 per cent when fully implemented – creating growth and jobs at home.
This agreement gives our exporters unprecedented access to 1.4 billion people and an economy set to become the third-largest in the world.
The FTA keeps New Zealand competitive globally, protecting our exporters’ access to Most Favoured Nation benefits worth tens of millions of dollars, particularly for wine and services.
Sheep meat and wool gain immediate duty‑free access, improving returns for farmers from day one.
Horticulture benefits include Kiwifruit duty‑free within a quota nearly four times current export volumes, a 50 per cent tariff cut for apples on a large quota almost double recent exports, and tariff elimination over time for cherries, avocados, blueberries and persimmons.
For food and dairy, bulk infant formula and high‑value dairy preparations gain duty‑free access over seven years. Food ingredients for re‑export become duty‑free from day one, and milk albumins receive a 50 per cent tariff cut within a New Zealand‑specific quota equal to current exports. Mussels and salmon and most other seafood exports gain duty‑free access within seven years.
Wine tariffs fall dramatically, from 150 per cent to as low as 25 per cent over time.
Most Favoured Nation protections mean New Zealand exporters automatically benefit from any better treatment granted to competitors.
Services exporters secure MFN status and liberalisation, helping New Zealand firms compete in one of the world’s fastest‑growing economies.
When this government came to power, we set a goal of doubling the value of New Zealand’s exports within a decade. This FTA, and others we have secured during this political term, are major planks in achieving our goals.
These FTAs improve the value of our produce. In 2008, when we signed the FTA with China, trade with the country was worth $2Billion. It is now sitting at $18Billion. We have similar potential for growth with India.
We are a country that relies on trade. Our food and fibre sectors create one in every four jobs in New Zealand, and the revenue from these exports pay for much of what our country needs – schools, roads, police, hospitals and everything else.
I’m incredibly proud of the work of our government to get this FTA in place.
Another major policy with significance for the Waitaki been the announcement of rule changes freeing up high country farmers to make the most of their land to unlock economic opportunities, support job creation and strengthen regional economies.
The Government will introduce a Bill that will give Crown pastoral land leaseholders more flexibility to expand and diversify.
Changes will allow a wider range of complementary activities on Crown pastoral land alongside pastoral farming, including growing crops and horticulture, running small farm shops, hospitality ventures, and renewable energy projects.
As the economic productivity of this Crown-owned land increases, so too does the return for Kiwi taxpayers over time, through higher-value lease arrangements that bring in revenue for the Government, supporting investment in public services and infrastructure.
Adding activities like horticulture and beekeeping alongside traditional farming, along with selling fresh produce on site, gives farmers more ways to earn from their land and grow their operations.
We know this land and its environment are deeply valued in the South Island, and these changes make the rules clearer and simpler, while maintaining strong protections for the high country’s environment and ensuring pastoral farming remains the primary land use.
A final note on this year’s Anzac Day commemorations, and how proud I was to see so many people at the service in Geraldine. A representative from my office also attended the service at Maheno. I was honored to speak at the Geraldine service, and mentioned the government’s Anzac Day Amendment Bill which has come into effect.
This Bill extends the pool of personnel being recognised for the service and sacrifice.
While April 25 marks the day our soldiers set foot on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915, Anzac Day has long become an anniversary of remembrance for those who served beyond the First and Second World Wars. It’s past time that this is reflected in the law.
Anzac Day will now officially commemorate all those who have served New Zealand in wars and war-like situations. This will include those who have given non-military service, such as the Home Guard and members of the Merchant Navy.
We will remember them.
All the best for the remainder of autumn.
Miles
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