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New Zealand

NZ-China FTA - Full of human rights promises but no substance
6-Jun-2008 Scoop
Amnesty International has made a second submission on the New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Bill highlighting ongoing concerns about the lack of practical applications to ensure labour standards are addressed and improved in China. And this within an agreement that significantly weakens New Zealand’s labour rights obligations.
India wants FTA so it can secure food supply (says NZ)
4-Jun-2008 NZPA
India is asking for a free trade agreement with New Zealand so it can secure a reliable supply of quality food, NZ Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton says.
Fonterra in $300m deal after China trade agreement
30-May-2008 The Press
Fonterra has scored the first big windfall from the Government’s free-trade pact with China, signing a deal worth more than $300 million.
Tempers flare as China free trade deal debated
29-May-2008 Radio New Zealand
Tempers became frayed on Thursday as NZ Parliament’s foreign affairs, defence and trade committee heard submissions on New Zealand’s Free Trade Deal with China.
Future of food: Free trade with China
27-May-2008 Epoch Times
Many fruit and vegetable growers in New Zealand are concerned the free trade agreement (FTA) with China will mean a further blow to an industry already hit by imports and rising production costs.
Other trade talks speeded-up by NZ-China FTA
27-May-2008 Xinhua
The free trade deal with China and mounting concern about securing food supplies are helping New Zealand in its efforts to secure agreements with major Asian economies, Radio New Zealand reported on Tuesday.
India, New Zealand to conclude FTA study process
24-May-2008
India and New Zealand are keen on completing a study by end of the year to find out feasibility of a free trade agreement for boosting bilateral trade.
Food crisis key to trade talks with Japanese
19-May-2008 NZ Herald
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark believes the impact of the international food crisis is the key reason why the Japanese Government has agreed to a ground-breaking study on the benefits of a bilateral free trade agreement.
Green party voices concerns over FTA
15-May-2008
Bilateral agreements such as New Zealand’s free trade agreement with China threaten the right of democratically-elected governments to regulate to protect the environment or people’s safety, Green Party co-leader Russel Norman told a parliamentary select committee today.
Agriculture potential barrier to closer trade ties with Japan
14-May-2008
Prime Minister Helen Clark will push for closer economic ties when she holds talks today with her Japanese counterpart Yasuo Fukuda today.
NZ, Japan a step closer to trade deal
14-May-2008 Stuff
New Zealand and Japan have taken a first step towards free trade negotiations, agreeing today to a study on the benefits of a closer economic partnership.
RI asks Australia, New Zealand to open their textile markets
13-May-2008
Indonesia has asked Australia and New Zealand to open their textile and textile product markets under a free trade arrangement (FTA) with ASEAN.
High powered push for Japan trade deal
13-May-2008
It’s time to get serious about doing a trade deal with Japan, says free trade and business lobbyists, who say we’ve been neglecting our relationship with the world’s second biggest economy.
Textile Union Welcomes Tariff Freeze
10-May-2008
Today’s announcement by Commerce Minister, Lianne Dalziel, of a freeze on general tariff reductions for two years from July 2009 has been welcomed by the National Distribution Union. The NDU represents workers in the textile, clothing and footwear industries.
ASEAN committed to free trade pact with Australia, NZ: minister
5-May-2008 AFP
ASEAN was showing strong commitment to try to wrap up negotiations on a free trade pact between the regional grouping, Australia and New Zealand, Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean said Sunday.
President Nathan says talks on ASEAN-Aust-NZ FTA to conclude in May
29-Apr-2008 CNA
Talks on the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will be concluded next month, said Singapore President SR Nathan at a state banquet at the New Zealand Government House in Wellington on Monday.
US trade expert finds fishhooks in FTA
28-Apr-2008 Scoop
While media coverage of the China-NZ Free Trade Agreement has focused almost entirely on the possible dollar gains, scant attention has been paid to the equally valid exposure of New Zealand to compensation claims — should any NZ government be so bold in future as to pass laws or regulations that a foreign investor feels will impact on profitability.
Minister: New Zealand-ASEAN free trade deal close
23-Apr-2008
New Zealand Trade Minister Phil Goff said on Wednesday that free trade talks with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) may be finished by June.
New Zealand to hold free trade talks with Japan, South Korea next month
21-Apr-2008 IHT
Prime Minister Helen Clark said Monday she will hold exploratory free trade talks in Japan and South Korea next month — only weeks after securing a comprehensive free trade agreement with China.
Handled with tact, FTAs can do what WTO can’t
18-Apr-2008
On April 7, China and New Zealand signed a free trade agreement (FTA) covering trade in goods and services as well as investment, making it the first FTA reached by China with a developed country.