www.mfat.govt.nz www.safetravel.govt.nz
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade.
.EventsFeaturesNZ Russia 65th AnniversaryCommonwealth ConversationNZ hosts fisheries meetingTokelau flag flown at ParliamentInternational Atomic Energy Agency conferenceNZ China FTA anniversaryNZ and the UN General AssemblyGovernor General presents Tokelau's first flag to its leadersNZ celebrates literary links with MentonCeremony to remember start of wwIIVisit by Brazilian economistCall for submissions on the Thai CEPPrime Minister's visit to AustraliaNew Working Holiday Scheme with PeruPrime Ministers visit to the PacificHuman Rights Council resolution on maternal mortalityErebus medal presentationEmbassy opening Timor LesteElection observance overseasWTO essay competitionAnzac Day commemorated around the worldHuman Rights ReportIndia NZ Free Trade AgreementBoer War MemorialVisit of Latin America Heads of MissionVisit of Dutch Foreign MinisterNZ High Commissioner to FijiBali Democracy ForumAPEC Peru 2008Illegal Fishing activitiesRoyal New Zealand Air Force Patrols TongaTrans Pacific AgreementNZ China FTA enters into forceExport controls on strategic goodsNew consul for MelbourneNZ extended seabed claimSafe TravelImage galleriesMediaPublications

MFAT related resources

China FTA website resources

External Links related to NZ-China FTA

NZ - China FTA Signing Photo Gallery photo gallery


Country/territory locator

Find MFAT's information paper on a country or territory. (We don't have information papers on all countries.)

World map. Africa Europe Middle East North Asia South/South East Asia Australia Pacific Latin America North America/Caribbean

 

 

 

New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement enters into force

The New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into force on 1 October 2008.

New Zealand and China signed the FTA at a ceremony in Beijing on 7 April 2008. The FTA has now been ratified by both signatory countries with the passing of implementing legislation in New Zealand and the exchange of notes confirming domestic legal procedures.

China is New Zealand’s third largest trading partner and the FTA aims to remove barriers to trade, including the phasing out of tariffs over time on 96 percent of New Zealand exports to China.

For example, tariffs on New Zealand exports to China of five percent or less were eliminated on 1 October. Higher tariffs will also start reducing from the date of the FTA's entry into force, giving New Zealand exporters a competitive advantage in the Chinese market.

The FTA liberalises trade in services and gives additional protection for New Zealand investors in China. It also offers advantages for businesses looking to engage with, or grow, existing linkages with China.

In addition, the FTA provides an important framework for addressing and resolving trade and investment issues between New Zealand and China, and it gives New Zealand government agencies and businesses a higher profile in China.

Road shows aimed at informing New Zealand businesses about how to make the most of the FTA have been held nationwide. Further detailed information is available from the official NZ-China FTA website.

Page last updated: Tuesday, 20 January 2009 10:02 NZDT