29 Sep 2026
3 weeks ago
275 views
Cabinet has approved tougher penalties and new offences to combat the illicit tobacco trade, addressing issues like unlawful packaging and increasing fines up to $200,000. These changes will support agencies such as Health New Zealand, Customs, and Police in disrupting organized crime linked to illegal tobacco, with prison terms for smuggling raised from six months to seven years. The amendments aim to protect legitimate businesses, safeguard tax revenue, and strengthen enforcement under the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990.
02 Sep 2026
1 month ago
464 views
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will host Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell in Auckland for the annual Closer Economic Relations Trade Ministers meeting and discussions with trans-Tasman businesses to strengthen economic ties. In 2025, two-way trade between New Zealand and Australia reached $35 billion, with Australia being New Zealand's largest export destination and international visitor market. The visit will also include talks on tourism growth, Māori tourism, and regional economic development to enhance collaboration between the two countries.
02 Sep 2026
1 month ago
465 views
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will host Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell in Auckland for the annual Closer Economic Relations Trade Ministers meeting and discussions with trans-Tasman businesses to strengthen the partnership. Their 2025 two-way trade reached $35 billion, with Australia as New Zealand’s largest export destination and visitor market, highlighting the importance of maintaining strong economic and tourism links. Minister Farrell will also meet with Tourism Minister Louise Upston and participate in a Bay of Islands program focused on Māori tourism and regional economic development.
29 Aug 2026
1 month ago
499 views
Nearly 200,000 cruise ship passengers are expected to visit New Zealand this season, boosting regional tourism, jobs, and businesses, according to Tourism Minister Louise Upston. The government has collaborated closely with the cruise sector to enhance New Zealand's appeal as a must-dock destination, implementing practical measures and hosting industry forums to strengthen its global cruise position. These efforts, alongside infrastructure developments and policy support, aim to build a sustainable cruise industry and contribute to doubling the value of international tourism by 2034.
28 Aug 2026
1 month ago
486 views
New Zealand and Indonesia's Foreign Ministers, Winston Peters and Sugiono, held productive talks in Auckland focusing on enhancing cooperation in food security, renewable energy, trade, agriculture, education, and defense. They reviewed their Comprehensive Partnership and 2025–2029 Plan of Action, aiming to boost two-way trade to NZ$6 billion by 2029 and strengthen economic ties by removing trade barriers and improving air links. Both ministers emphasized the long-term partnership as they approach 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2028 and released a Joint Statement outlining their discussions and next steps.
24 Aug 2026
2 months ago
605 views
Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard is representing New Zealand at the 11th APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting in China, which focuses on regional cooperation to address food security challenges and promote sustainable, resilient food systems. The forum brings together 21 member economies to share policies, enhance trade, and collaborate on innovation, climate resilience, and supply chain stability. New Zealand emphasizes its commitment to open trade and access to safe, nutritious food while engaging in bilateral meetings with business stakeholders during the visit.
21 Aug 2026
2 months ago
574 views
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul launched the New Zealand-Thailand Strategic Partnership to enhance their 70-year relationship, aiming to triple two-way trade to NZ$13.5 billion by 2045. They plan to upgrade trade agreements, strengthen supply chains, and resume direct Thai Airways flights to boost tourism, trade, and connectivity with ASEAN markets. Additionally, the leaders committed to increased cooperation on border security, cyber security, and combating trafficking, formalized through a Joint Declaration and a Joint Plan of Action for 2026-2030.
17 Aug 2026
2 months ago
645 views
Thailand Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will visit New Zealand from August 20-22, accompanied by key Thai business leaders, to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations and launch the New Zealand-Thailand Strategic Partnership. The partnership aims to strengthen trade and business ties, with a goal of tripling two-way trade by 2045, building on nearly NZ$4.8 billion in trade as of March 2026. During his visit, Anutin will engage in bilateral talks and business meetings to enhance cooperation on prosperity, regional stability, and combating transnational crime.
14 Aug 2026
2 months ago
545 views
The Government is abolishing the ‘offensive trades’ registration under the 1956 Health Act to reduce unnecessary compliance costs and save businesses time and money. This change, supported by Ministers David Seymour and Simeon Brown, recognizes that modern environmental and industry-specific regulations sufficiently manage these trades, making annual registrations obsolete. The reform is expected to save up to $2.26 million over 10 years and reflects ongoing efforts by the Ministry for Regulation to cut red tape and improve productivity.
13 Aug 2026
2 months ago
614 views
New Zealand and Viet Nam are enhancing their bilateral trade and cooperation, particularly in agriculture, through new market access and a Memorandum of Arrangement focused on agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. This partnership will allow Viet Nam to access premium New Zealand products like honey and venison, while New Zealand imports Vietnamese flowers and foliage, reflecting mutual benefits for producers and consumers. The collaboration emphasizes research, technology, sustainable agriculture, and capability development, building on their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established last year.
13 Aug 2026
2 months ago
599 views
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Viet Nam’s President To Lam agreed on new measures to advance the New Zealand-Viet Nam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focusing on trade, investment, science, technology, and security cooperation. They announced five key outcomes in agricultural cooperation, market access, education, defence, and climate-smart agriculture to benefit exporters, farmers, and health professionals. This visit, the first by a Vietnamese President to New Zealand since 2007, sets a clear direction for the bilateral relationship in the coming decade.
08 Aug 2026
2 months ago
684 views
New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced a new sanctions package targeting 33 individuals and entities supporting Russia's illegal war against Ukraine, with a focus on cyber actors and those involved in the forced relocation and re-education of Ukrainian children. The sanctions also address malicious cyber activities, propaganda efforts, and support from actors in Russia’s military-industrial complex as well as from the DPRK and Iran. Since March 2022, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on over 2,000 targets across 36 rounds, reinforcing its commitment to oppose Russia's aggression.
04 Aug 2026
2 months ago
671 views
The Earn as You Learn programme, which combines paid workplace learning with formal training and industry mentoring, is expanding into the Hutt Valley, Bay of Plenty, Christchurch, and Auckland to address the manufacturing sector's skilled workforce shortage. Developed by manufacturers and supported by Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa, the programme has proven successful in the Waikato pilot, with most participants securing full-time jobs after completing their training. The government is committed to expanding vocational pathways alongside this initiative, aiming to grow the skilled manufacturing workforce essential for New Zealand's economic recovery and future innovation.
25 Jul 2026
3 months ago
735 views
The New Zealand Government is developing and piloting a new AI tool to modernize the import health standard process while maintaining strict biosecurity protections. This tool aims to streamline the creation of biosecurity rules for imported goods, freeing up staff time and ensuring high-quality, evidence-based standards without compromising safety. The broader reform program seeks to reduce red tape, support farmers and growers, and enhance export growth by enabling smarter approvals and fewer unnecessary restrictions.
18 Jul 2026
3 months ago
749 views
Members of the Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership, including New Zealand, committed to practical initiatives to enhance trade by tackling non-tariff barriers, promoting digital trade, and strengthening economic resilience. The meeting resulted in declarations addressing NTBs, digital trade facilitation, economic security, and global subsidies, aiming to support fair competition and secure supply chains. Additionally, Korea, Peru, and Thailand joined the partnership, increasing membership to 19 and highlighting the group's growing influence.