New Zealand's Next Billion Customers

National is committed to growing New Zealand's economy by helping Kiwi businesses sell more to the world.

National believes New Zealand is a trading nation. We create jobs and lift incomes by supporting great Kiwi companies to compete on the world stage for a rising share of global trade and investment. Trade supports one in four New Zealand jobs and ultimately, more trade means higher wages, more jobs and more money in people’s pockets.

National’s trade agenda has supported rapid growth in exports, which have risen from $94.4 billion to $114.1 billion, on track to double export value by 2034. Its not just a number, it’s a plan for stronger communities right across New Zealand, from the orchard to the factory floor to the main street. Now, National is announcing how we secure New Zealand’s Next Billion Customers.

What we'll do

Prioritising new trade deals with European, South American, African and Asian countries

Negotiating new essential supplies agreements with like-minded partners, using the NZ–Singapore AOTES agreement as the template

Cutting red tape by expanding paperless trade and digital customs, eliminating $1 billion in non-tariff barriers

Creating new tools for businesses to help streamline their export experience

Giving New Zealand Trade and Enterprise a sharper mandate – leading Kiwi businesses to new opportunities and backing the next generation of exporters

Completing at least 23 trade missions over the next term, with a sharper focus on sector-specific missions and measurable commercial outcomes

Re-affirm our commitment to doubling the value of exports by 2034.

Prioritising new trade deals

In the last three years, National has worked hard to conclude new trade arrangements, bring existing trade agreements into force sooner, and bolster traditional trade arrangements, with new agreements that protect New Zealand from the risks of a more volatile world, like the Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies with Singapore. With the India Free Trade Agreement signed and now progressing through Parliament, National is focused on securing the next phase of New Zealand’s trade agenda. That starts with an intention to commence trade negotiations with seven new economies in the next five years.