It's the first visit a New Zealand Cabinet minister has made overseas since New Zealand closed its borders due to Covid-19.
Minister O’Connor’s visit concludes the fifth round of talks, with consensus reached on disputes, transparency and gender equality in trade. Both countries have also agreed to accelerate negotiations to finalise the details of the deal. A government spokesperson said both countries want a "high quality, comprehensive free trade agreement that supports jobs, broadens consumer choice and provides more opportunities in key industries such as services, digital trade and the green economy". But added that it would "not sign trade deals that compromise our high environmental protections and food standards". "We are a world leader in these areas and that will not change," the spokesperson added. However, just last week farming unions and lobby bodies warned it was not clear whether protection measures included in the UK's deal with Australia go far enough to safeguard the industry. International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said: "We have intensified negotiations and moved closer to an agreement that works for both nations. I want to thank Damien for the progress we have made over the past few days. "Both sides are committed to striking a modern, liberalising agreement that forges closer ties between two island democracies that believe in free and fair trade."I am pushing UK interests hard in areas like services, mobility and investment, and want a deal that cuts tariffs on our exports, makes it easier for our service providers to sell into New Zealand, and delivers for consumers here at home."A deal would be an important step towards joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a £9 trillion free trade area of half a billion consumers, which would open new opportunities for our farmers, manufacturers and services firms to sell to some the largest and fastest-growing markets in the world. "
