Weekly Global Report:
On this page
Prepared by the Economic Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Feedback
We welcome feedback from New Zealand exporters on this report and invite requests for reporting from New Zealand’s network of Embassies and High Commissions. If you would like to subscribe to this weekly update, go to our subscription page(external link) or email us at exports@mfat.net.
Highlights
- Tuesday 28 March marked the 40th anniversary of Closer Economic Relations (CER)(external link), our gold standard free trade agreement between New Zealand and Australia. CER represents 15 per cent of our exports and we seen a 12 percent increase in two-way trade with Australia from $26 billion in 2017 to $29 billion in 2022. Read more here.
- New Zealand welcomes the substantial conclusion of negotiations on the United Kingdom’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The UK’s accession to the bloc will complement the gold-standard outcomes of the NZ-UK FTA, which will mean that 99.5 per cent of New Zealand’s current goods exports to the UK will be duty free from entry into force. At full implementation, exports are expected to grow by over 50%, and GDP by up to $1 billion.
- Further assistance is now available to businesses impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle, with Customs able to offer payment plans(external link) and to remit late-payments.
Domestic and Global Updates
Domestic
- Eligible New Zealand businesses can now apply for a 15 percent tax credit for Research and Development(external link). New Zealand Minister of Research, Science, and Innovation Ayesha Verrall announced the ‘in-year’ payments of the Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) are now open. The in-year payments will be provided through an interest-free government loan, with cash payments at regular intervals during the year based on the business’s R&D expenditure. Read more here.
- A law passed by Parliament last week exempts employers from paying fringe benefit tax(external link) on certain low emission commuting options they provide or subsidise for their staff. Environment Minister David Parker expects the law to level the playing field for locally-owned businesses.
- The new Recovery Visa to help bring in additional migrant workers to support cyclone and flooding recovery has attracted over 600 successful applicants(external link) within its first month. Read more here.
Global
- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN body responsible for assessing the latest science on, impacts of, and pathways to address climate change, has released it latest synthesis report. The World’s leading scientists highlight the urgency and scale of action required, and also directly link our collective action to losses and damages that have already, and will continue to occur. The report stresses that current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC’s) fall short to limit warming to 1.5 degrees, and that action taken this decade will largely determine if we can get back on track. In a moment of hope, the report finds a liveable future for all is possible, we have a clear path and all the technology needed – we just need to choose to take that path.
- The second full round of negotiations for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework was hosted by Indonesia in Bali, 13-19 March. The agenda covered all four pillars (trade, supply chains, clean economy and fair economy) and focused heavily on negotiating text of the eventual agreement.
- The World Trade Organization (WTO) is encouraging WTO members to diversify their supply chains to business-friendly developing countries. The WTO Director General said countries such as Brazil, Viet Nam, India, Indonesia and Morocco should be considered as attractive additions to global supply chains.
Asia
- Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Russia from 20 to 22 March, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The presidents signed and issued joint statements on “deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era” and a development plan on “priorities in China- Russia economic cooperation”.
- India’s economy – the fifth largest in the world – continues to perform strongly against global economic pressure, particularly relative to its peers with large economies. The Indian Government presented a Budget in February that builds on its second term economic policy agenda: large capital expenditure, especially on transport-related infrastructure, and maintaining macroeconomic stability though fiscal
restraint.
Europe
- German consumer confidence rose slightly from -30.6 to -29.5, slightly better than market expectations according to the RBNZ.
Americas
- US Consumer Confidence showed no sign of slowing, despite the recent banking collapse, as it rose to 104.2 in March against economists’ predictions of a fall to 101.0. This is positive news for New Zealand exporters.
Australia
- Australian monthly inflation reduced from 7.4 percent in January to 6.8 percent in February, below market expectations of 7.2 percent. The RBNZ reports market pricing currently favours a pause in interest rate increases and a cut by the end of the year.
- On 28 March, the Australian Senate passed the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund legislation. Australia was ranked the worst in the OECD on manufacturing self-sufficiency. This fund is aimed at broadening Australia’s domestic industrial base and reducing the nation’s dependence on imports. The fund has been designed to invest in renewables and low emissions technologies; medical science; transport; value-add in agriculture, forestry and fisheries; value-add in resources; defence capability; and enabling capabilities.
- Labor has won the NSW State Election held on Saturday 25 March. This puts an end to 12 years of Coalition Government and sees Chris Minns become the 47th Premier of New South Wales. Labor did better than the public opinion polls leading up to the election had suggested, winning at least 7 seats from the Coalition. At time of writing, it remained unclear if they would be able to form a majority government, however it has already secured necessary confidence and supply agreements from the cross benches. The election was dominated by voter concerns about the cost-of-living crisis, housing affordability, and pay and conditions for front-line public service workers. While traditional Independent candidates generally performed well, the recent phenomenon of Teal Independents was not the decisive factor it had been in the 2022 general election.
Market reports released this week
- Read the previous global economic round-up
- How trade is a force for good in a cost of living crisis – March 2023
External links
The following links may provide useful information to businesses:
NZTE(external link) has a website focused on providing COVID-19 information for exporters. They’ve also launched myNZTE(external link), an interactive digital portal of insights and tools available to all New Zealand exporters.
The Treasury releases a weekly economic update(external link) every Friday. Stats NZ has published a data portal(external link) with near real-time economic indicators.
MBIE publishes a sector reports series(external link) which provides regularly updated reports on all industry sectors that make up the New Zealand economy. These include official economic data and the challenges and opportunities that face New Zealand’s industry sectors.
Business.govt.nz(external link) provides tools and advice from across government to save small businesses’ time and help make the business a success.
MFAT has created a tariff finder(external link) which is designed to help goods exporters and importers maximise benefits from New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreements and compare tariffs in 136 other markets.
The all of government Trade Barriers(external link) website can be used to register any trade barriers experienced or issues exporting to an offshore market. Queries can be sent via the website or through the MFAT Exporter Helpline 0800 824 605. Enquiries will be sent to the government agency best placed to answer.
Tatauranga Aotearoa Stats NZ provides official data on the value of New Zealand’s exports and imports of both goods and services, by commodity type via the New Zealand Trade Dashboard(external link). This interactive dashboard is updated every quarter and allows for filtering by country and by commodity type.
More reports
View full list of market reports.
If you would like to request a topic for reporting please email exports@mfat.net
Sign up for email alerts
To get email alerts when new reports are published, go to our subscription page(external link)
Learn more about exporting
New Zealand Trade & Enterprise’s comprehensive market guides(external link) cover export regulations, business culture, market-entry strategies and more.
Disclaimer
This information released in this report aligns with the provisions of the Official Information Act 1982. The opinions and analysis expressed in this report are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views or official policy position of the New Zealand Government. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the New Zealand Government take no responsibility for the accuracy of this report.