EU-NZ free trade agreement (MFAT)
New Zealand is in negotiations to conclude free trade agreements, upgrade existing free trade agreements, and create new rules on emerging issues such as the digital economy. Your guide to what an EU-NZ FTA offers for New Zealand.
Benefits to New Zealand
A progressive agreement will help exporters and consumers, while maintaining standards New Zealanders care about.
Key facts on EU-NZ trade
The EU is New Zealand’s largest source of imports and is our fourth largest export market.
Resources
Information papers, OIA documents, statements, video and more.
"Towards an EU-New Zealand Trade Agreement"
The European Union has launched negotiations for a comprehensive and ambitious trade agreement with New Zealand.
Bilateral trade in goods between the two partners has risen steadily in recent years, reaching almost €8.7bn in 2017. The EU is New Zealand's third-biggest trade partner.
According to the impact assessment, trade between New Zealand and the EU could increase by 36%; trade in goods could increase by 47%, whereas the services trade could increase by 14%.
The trade negotiations aim to:
- reduce existing barriers to trade in goods and services
- make sure that European companies compete on a level playing field with businesses from countries that already have a trade agreement with New Zealand
- promote smart, sustainable and inclusive growth
The Council of the European Union authorised opening negotiations for a trade agreement between the EU and New Zealand on 22 May 2018.