G/SCM/Q2/NZL/33  
 
5 April 2022  
(22-2744) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  Original: English  
 
SUBSIDIES  
REPLIES  TO QUESTIONS POSED BY THE UNITED STATES1 REGARDING  
THE NEW AND FULL NOTIFICATION OF NEW ZEALAND2 
The following communication, dated  and received  5 April 2022 , is being circulated at the request of 
the delegation of New Zealand . 
_______________  
New Zealand  appreciates the United States' questions on New Zealand's 2021  subsidy notification  
and provides answers to the questions posed.  
Question 1  
For the program e ntitled " Primary Growth Partnership (PGP)", or its replacement, the 
Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures program, what proportion of these funds is provided to 
the seafood and forestry industries?  
Reply : 
There is no proportion  of this fund  set aside for any primary sector i ndustry. Instead, the funds are 
targeted at primary sector problem solving and innovation, by co -investing in initiatives that typically 
take the form of research and development or extension and advisory services, includ ing for seafood 
or forestry.  An independent Investment Advisory Panel provides independent expert advice on 
funding proposals to ensure the criteria for government funding is met ; for example, application 
approval is based on set criteria, including consis tency with international obligations and trade 
policies.  There have been 27 projects funded under the Primary Growth Partnership and the 
Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures program  that have a focus  on the seafood and forestry 
industries; 19 in the seafood industry (representing 12 % of total projects) and 8 in the forestry 
industry (representing 5 % of the total projects).  
Question 2  
We understand, based on the State Department Investment Climate Statement, that 
New Zealand maintains a  Screen Production Grant , which provides rebates for 
international productions of 20% on specified goods and services purchased in 
New Zealand. What is the current status of this program?  
Reply : 
The Screen Production Grant is still in operation and provides an 18 – 20%rebate on qualifying 
production expenditure for international productions filming in New Zealand. Certain eligibility 
criteria apply, with details publicly available here: NZSPG Criteria for International Productions 
(nzfilm.co.nz) " 
 
1 G/SCM7Q2/NZL/32  
2 G/SCM/N/372/NZL  G/SCM/Q2/NZL/33  
 
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  Question 3  
These questions refer to programs discussed in New Zealand's Trade Policy Review 
(WT/TPR/S/316)  
a. On page 58 of New Zealand's most recent Trad e Policy Review (dated 
12 October  2015), the Secretariat's Report mentions the "International Growth 
Fund" which is aimed at supporting export businesses with high growth potential. 
Please explain whether this program is still in operation and if so, why i t was not 
included in New Zealand's notification.  
Reply : 
The International Growth Fund (IGF) is in operation. New Zealand intends to submit a notification 
of this Fund, in line with WTO subsidy notification provisions.  
b. On page 83 of New Zealand's most rec ent Trade Policy Review, the Secretariat's 
Report mentions several programs supporting the manufacturing industry which 
are covered under the Business Growth Agenda and include programs like "Better 
By Design" which is especially oriented towards helping c ompanies increase their 
international competitiveness. Please explain whether these programs still exist, 
and if so, why they were not included in this notification.  
Reply : 
The four programs listed on page 83 of New Zealand's most recent Trade Policy Review (being the 
Business Growth Agenda, "Better by Lean ", "Better by Strategy " and "Better by Design " have all 
ceased to exist.   
c. The Secretariat's Report also mentions several other grant programs on page 83 
which are administered by the Ministry of Business. If these programs still exist, 
please describe them or explain why they do not need to be included in this 
notification.  
Reply : 
The grant programs referenced on page 83, w hich provided funding for research targeted at industry 
issues in the manufacturing and services sector, and administered by the Ministry of Business, 
Innovation and Employment , no longer exist in this form. Contestable funding to research in these 
sectors  is now part of a more broadly targeted research fund, the recently established Endeavour 
Fund. The "Callaghan Innovation " Crown entity, also referenced on page 83, continues to operate 
as a government agency supporting high -tech and deep tech innovative b usinesses in New Zealand.  
d. In addition to the programs mentioned above, the Trade Policy Review also 
includes five other programs which were not included in this notification. These 
programs appear to have been listed in previous notifications, so please no te 
whether these programs were terminated since New Zealand's 2015 TPR. The 
programs include: the New Zealand Export Credit Office Program, the Research 
Consortia, Beachheads, the Food Innovation Network, and the Environmental 
Certification Fund.  
Reply : 
The New Zealand Export Credit Office Program  is still operating. New Zealand has determined that 
the program does not meet the requirements for notification. This assessment will remain under 
consideration and be reviewed ahead of future notifications.  
The R esearch Consortia has ceased to provide new rounds of funding and exists only to complete 
the outstanding contract. As the fund has been terminated, it was not notified.  G/SCM/Q2/NZL/33  
 
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  Beachheads is still operating. New Zealand has determined that the program does not me et the 
requirements for notification. This assessment will remain under consideration and be reviewed 
ahead of future notifications.  
The Food Innovation Network is still operating. New Zealand has determined that the program does 
not meet the requirements for notification. This assessment will remain under consideration and be 
reviewed ahead of future notifications.  
The Environmental C ertification Fund no longer exists.   
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