WT/TPR/M/316  
16 September 2015  
(15-4726)  Page: 1/44  
Trade Policy Review Body 
29 June and 1 July 2015  
 
  TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
NEW ZEALAND  
MINUTES OF THE MEETING 
Chairperson: H.E. Mr. Atanas Atanassov Paparizov (Bulgaria) 
CONTENTS 
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAI RPERSON ....................................................... 2  
2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPR ESENTATIVE OF NEW ZEALAND ............................ 4  
3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT ................................................................................ 7  
4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS ........................................................................................ 11  
5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF NEW ZEALAND AND ADDITIONAL 
COMMENTS ..................................................................................................................... 39  
6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAI RPERSON ......................................................... 43  
 
 
Note: Advance written questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies 
provided by New Zealand are reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/316/Add.1 and will be available 
online at http://www.wto.org/englis h/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
1.1.  The fifth Trade Policy Review of New Zealand was held on 29 June and 1 July 2015. The 
Chairperson H.E. Mr Atanas Atanassov Paparizov (Bulgaria) welcomed the delegation of New Zealand headed by Mr David Walker, Deputy Secretary, Trade and Economic Group, Ministry 
of Foreign Affairs and Trade; the rest of the delegation, including H.E. Ambassador John Adank, 
Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the WTO; other colleagues from the Mission in Geneva; and the discussant, H.E. Ambassador Fernando De Mateo (Mexico). 
1.2.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of the Tr ade Policy Reviews and the main elements of 
the procedures for the meeting. The report by New Zealand was contained in document WT/TPR/G/316 and that of the WT O Secretariat in WT/TPR/S/316. 
1.3.  New Zealand adopted the alternative time-frame for its TPR. The following delegations 
submitted questions before the deadline of 5.30 pm on 1st June which had been transmitted to the 
delegation of New Zealand: Canada; Malaysia; Australia; Hong Kong, China; China; Switzerland; India; Chinese Taipei; Mexico; Colombia; the European Union; Singapore; Japan; and the United 
States. The following delegations submitted wri tten questions after the deadline and these had 
also been transmitted to the delegation of Ne w Zealand: Chile; Costa Rica; Turkey; Peru; the 
Republic of Korea; Brazil; and Thailand. 
1.4.  New Zealand's economy had proved to be remarkably resilient in the face of major headwinds 
during the period under review. These had included the effects of the global economic and financial crisis, and a severe drought, which had caused the country's output to contract in 2008/2009, as well as two devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. 
1.5.  New Zealand's open economy and favourable business environment, together with its sound 
macroeconomic policies and the dynamism of the construction sector had supported a steady economic rebound in recent years. Furthermore, high prices for New Zealand's commodity exports 
during most of the review period also had contributed to GDP growth.  
1.6.  Despite this positive trend, it was to be noted that New Zealand's economy continued to face 
some challenges, including a relatively high foreign debt, low labour productivity, low investment 
in research and development, limited integration into global value chains, and imbalances in the 
housing market. The Chairperson was sure that the authorities would enlighten the Membership on the efforts they were pursuing in order to address these challenges.  
1.7.  The Chairperson was pleased to note that both the Government and the Secretariat reports 
underlined that New Zealand attached great importance to the Multilateral Trading System, and 
that it had taken steps towards the ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement. At the same time, New Zealand had increasingly engaged in Regional Trade Agreements. The potential effects 
of these agreements on third parties had elicit ed a number of questions from the Membership.  
1.8.  Both reports also indicated that New Zealand's foreign investment regime was mostly open, 
and that restrictions applied to a few sensitive areas. Several Members had sought clarification on 
the investment screening process and the measures  in place to ensure its transparency and 
efficiency. 
1.9.  Overall, New Zealand maintained an open trade regime. There were no quantitative controls 
on imports and the average applied MFN tariff rate was relatively low, although higher rates were 
maintained in certain sectors such as footwear and textile products. There were various business 
incentive schemes, including export support and promotion, inter alia , as the Business Growth 
Agenda and the International Growth Fund, abou t which Members had asked further information. 
1.10.  It was with much interest that the Chairperson had taken note of various reforms adopted 
by New Zealand since its previous Review in 2009 , with a view to improving and modernizing its 
trade regime. Such reforms included a trade facilitation initiative, which envisaged the 
establishment of a Trade Single Window. Some  Members had enquired about other measures 
New Zealand was taking to further facilitate cust oms procedures, for example, as regards mutual 
recognition agreements for Authorized Economic Operators, risk assessment methods and pre-arrival customs clearance.   WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  1.11.  Since its last Review, New Zealand had adopted or had amended legislation in several 
trade-related areas such as antidumping, counter vailing measures, and safeguards. In addition, 
the legal framework for intellectual property had been updated with the adoption of a new Patent Act and amendments to the Copyright and Trad e Mark Acts. Members had raised a number of 
questions on the scope of these reforms and on the protection of geographical indications.  
1.12.  New rules for government procurement had been adopted in 2013, designed to promote 
open competitive procurement; and no preferenti al treatment was granted to domestic suppliers. 
A key development since the last Review had been the acceptance by the WTO Committee on 
Government Procurement of New Zealand's terms of accession to the revised Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) in October 2014. The Chairperson congratulated New Zealand in this respect, and he was sure Members would like to be updated on the status of the ratification 
process.   
1.13.  Agriculture, including food production, continued to play an important role in New Zealand's 
economy and foreign trade, accounting for 69% of total merchandise exports in 2014. It was a 
highly productive sector, with minimal Govern ment support. The Secretariat report provided 
information about recent reforms aimed at promoting competition and transparency in the dairy industry, and several Members had posed specific questions in this regard. Clarification had also 
been sought on the special trading rights of a certain agricultural export company in the kiwifruit 
sector.  
1.14.  The manufacturing activity had seen some diversification towards higher value-added and 
knowledge intensive subsectors in recent years, and contributed 20% to total merchandise 
exports. However, manufacturing had been declining in the period after the last review. 
1.15.  Services were the leading sector of the economy, accounting for 70% of GDP and 25% of 
total exports (of goods and services). New Zealand's financial system was sound and well 
capitalized; its prudential framework had been strengthened during the review period, including 
new legislation for insurance companies and non-bank deposit-taker institutions. The telecommunications sector had been further restructured, leading to the structural separation of 
the incumbent operator. Overall, New Zealand's services market was fairly open by international 
standards. Nevertheless, the level of competition in certain services industries such as retail, finance, real estate and professional services, seemed to be relatively low. New Zealand would wish to elaborate on measures taken or envisaged to address this situation. 
1.16.  The Chairperson was sure that these topics and themes, and many more, would be touched 
upon in greater detail at the deliberations on the first and second day of the meeting.  
1.17.  The Chairperson closed his introductory remarks by wishing New Zealand a very successful 
fifth Trade Policy Revi ew. He looked forward to its active engagement in this TPR. 
1.18.  He also noted that a podcast would be made of the meeting which could be accessed on the 
Members' website. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF NEW ZEALAND (MR DAVID 
WALKER) 
2.1.  Firstly, I would like to emphasize the significance that New Zealand places on the Trade 
Policy Review Mechanism as the main transparen cy instrument of the WTO. We see the TPR 
Mechanism as invaluable, through its promotion of domestic transparency and by assisting 
economies to work towards ensuring that their trade policies are consistent with their WTO obligations. New Zealand is committed to stable and sustainable macroeconomic policies and a 
trade policy consistent with the WTO goals of expa nding trade, substantial reduction of tariffs and 
other barriers to goods and services trade, and to the elimination of discriminatory treatment in international commerce. The TPR mechanism is also important in highlighting Members' liberalization efforts and their impact on the multilateral trading system. Finally, it provides a 
useful forum for Members to set out their wider economic and development needs in the context of 
their particular trade policy ambitions. 
2.2.  I would like at the outset to thank Ambassador De Mateo for agreeing to act as the 
discussant in this review and I would also like to thank Members for their written questions 
provided to date, I am pleased to advise that  we have provided written responses to the 
216 questions submitted before the closing dates, as well as to all of the 46 questions that reached 
us after that date. We have a sizeable New Zealand team this morning and we will also do our best 
to respond to oral comments and questions raised as part of the discussion today and on Wednesday. 
2.3.  Six years ago, at the time of New Zealand' s last Trade Policy Review, the New Zealand 
economy was suffering from the effects of the Gl obal Financial Crisis. New Zealand had entered 
recession in early 2008, before the GFC, due to slow domestic activity and a 2007/08 drought. This was subsequently exacerbated by the impact of the major earthquake which hit Christchurch, 
New Zealand's second largest city, in early 2011. Fortunately, the economic and trade policy 
settings introduced in the 1980s and 1990s provided  greater flexibility within our economy and 
assisted its relatively rapid recovery from these challenges. These changes have also ensured that 
New Zealand is well placed to leverage new opportunities in the aftermath of the crisis. The New 
Zealand economy has further benefitted from increasing trade with emerging Asia, and strong demand which has boosted commodity export prices and New Zealand's terms of trade. Rebuilding Christchurch has further added to domestic economic activity. More recently, rapid population 
growth in excess of 1% per annum as a result of net migration inflows has boosted aggregate 
demand in the economy. 
2.4.  As a country with a strong reliance on export earnings, New Zealand has benefitted greatly 
from trade openings, and an open international trading system is essential for our growth and the 
growth of the world economy. We are therefore a long-standing supporter of a non-discriminatory 
and rules-based multilateral trading system under the WTO. 
2.5.  In terms of domestic economic policy, the New Zealand Government is focused on lifting 
New Zealand's underlying growth rate, reducing capacity constraints, increasing productivity and international connections, and creating both more highly skilled jobs and better conditions for investment. With exports of goods and services comprising around 30% of New Zealand's GDP, 
the Government's policy approach recognizes that trade is an integral component of the 
New Zealand economy, and therefore remains a fundamental element of the Government's 
broader economic policies designed to promote sustained economic growth. In the period under 
review, New Zealand's total exports (of goods and services) were NZ$68.6 billion for the year 
ended September 2014, which is an increase from NZ$58.7 billion for the year ended September 2009. Total imports were NZ$64.1 billion for the year ended September 2014, 
compared with NZ$55 billion for the year ended September 2009.  
2.6.  In agriculture, New Zealand's already low tariff s on agricultural products have continued to 
decline since its previous Review in 2009. The average applied MFN tariff under the WTO definition of agriculture was 1.4% in 2014, compared with 1.8% in 2008/09. Around 90% of goods enter 
New Zealand tariff free, and since 1 July 2001, 100% of goods from Least Developed Countries 
have entered New Zealand duty free and quota fr ee. New Zealand continues to have one of the 
lowest average MFN applied tariff rates in the OECD at just a 2.4% average in 2014. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  2.7.  On services, New Zealand is also very open . New Zealand has undertaken commitments in 
90 sectors under GATS, of which around 30 sectors and subsectors where market access and national treatment is completely open for Modes 1–3. New Zealand includes high quality services chapters in its FTAs, and is an active participant in the Trade in Services Agreement negotiations. 
On the OECD Services Trade Restrictiveness Index, New Zealand scores better than average for 
15 out of the 18 sectors covered. In some areas,  such as accounting services, engineering, and 
road and air transport, New Zealand operates one of the most open regimes amongst all countries 
surveyed. New Zealand also has a regulatory environment which is internationally recognized as 
facilitating uptake of these opportunities. For example, New Zealand ranks 2nd out of 
189 economies on the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index.  
2.8.  In terms of environment and labour conditions, New Zealand aims both internationally and 
domestically to develop sound and sustainable policies for trade and to ensure that such policies 
are mutually supportive and serve the overarching objective of sustainable development. As noted 
above, New Zealand grants duty-free quota-free acce ss to imports from LDCs as well as granting 
preferential tariffs for developing countries under the Generalized System of Preferences. 
New Zealand was pleased to participate in the High Level Meeting on the LDC Services Waiver. We are working toward submitting New Zealand's notification (prepared on the basis of the signals we 
provided in February) by the July indicative timeframe. New Zealand recognizes that trade is a 
powerful catalyst for economic growth and poverty reduction.  
2.9.  New Zealand's Business Growth Agenda is an extensive Government programme of work 
designed to encourage New Zealand businesses to gr ow in order to drive economic growth, create 
jobs and improve New Zealanders' standard of living. The Business Growth Agenda sets out 
ambitious targets, including increasing the rati o of exports to GDP from 30% to 40% by 2025. 
New Zealand's prospects of achieving this depend on it continuing to be able to sell its goods and 
services abroad and to achieving closer integration into regional and global value chains. These 
prospects would be markedly improved by the removal of substantial market access barriers in many key markets, not least in products where New Zealand has a comparative advantage. 
2.10.  Accordingly, New Zealand is committed to achieving further trade liberalization through 
bilateral, regional and plurilateral initiatives as well as through the WTO multilateral rules-based system. Bilateral, regional and plurilateral tr ade agreements can, and must, complement and 
reinforce the multilateral trading system. Since its last Review, New Zealand has concluded a 
number of new such agreements, and is involved in negotiating several more, as outlined below. 
In addition, New Zealand is actively involved in regional integration processes throughout the Asia Pacific, including the APEC process, with an incr easing emphasis on addressing behind-the-border 
regulatory issues and enhancing regional connectivity. 
2.11.  New Zealand considers that these trade agreements can make an important strategic 
contribution to supporting the WTO system provided  they are effective in ensuring the elimination 
of barriers with respect to substantially all trade between the parties involved. Accordingly, 
New Zealand has consistently structured its free trade agreements in ways that ensure they complement the multilateral trading system, making them a stepping stone for further multilateral trade liberalization. New Zealand thus seeks FTAs which are comprehensive in scope and which 
improve the conditions for the growth of New Zealand's economic relationships, including through 
trade in goods, services, and investment, as well as to secure trade facilitating commitments from our trading partners on a range of related issues. Additionally, New Zealand consistently seeks 
open accession clauses for its FTAs. 
2.12.  The Australia/New Zealand Closer Economic Relations and Trade Agreement (ANZCERTA) 
between New Zealand and Australia was signed 32 years ago, and since the last review in 2009 
Australia and New Zealand have committed to a process referred to as the Single Economic Market 
(SEM) agenda. The SEM agenda builds on ANZCERTA's liberalization measures to increase integration by identifying innovative, low-cost actions behind the border. In addition, New Zealand has concluded a Closer Economic Partnership Agre ement with Hong Kong, China; an Agreement on 
Economic Cooperation with the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; 
and a Free Trade Agreement with Korea. The Ag reement establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New 
Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) also entered into force in 2010. New Zealand also concluded 
negotiations towards an FTA with the Gulf Cooperation Council in 2009, and despite delays, we are 
seeking to achieve ratification of the agreement as soon as possible. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  2.13.  Other negotiations underway in which New Zealand is participating include the Trans Pacific 
Partnership, negotiations on the Regional Comp rehensive Economic Partnership Agreement made 
up of the ten ASEAN countries and their six FTA partners, as well as bilateral negotiations with India. Efforts are also ongoing to pursue grea ter economic integration and trade among Pacific 
Forum countries through the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus 
negotiations.  
2.14.  New Zealand emphasizes, however, that while these bilateral and regional trade initiatives 
are important, they can only complement, and not replace, the multilateral trading system.  
2.15.  New Zealand welcomed the WTO Committee on Government Procurement's decision in 
October 2014 on the terms of New Zealand's accession to the plurilateral WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) and expects to deposi t our instrument of accession by the end of 
July this year. New Zealand supports the full and timely implementation of the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement (TFA), and expects to de posit Notification of Acceptance of the Protocol in advance of 
the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference. New Zealand continues to support the conclusion of the 
Information Technology Agreement negotiations in 2015, and is an active participant in the 
ongoing Environmental Goods Agreement negotiations. 
2.16.  The continued failure to conclude the Doha Round risks undermining the WTO's ability to 
perform its negotiating role effectively. This is of particular concern to small trade dependent 
countries such as New Zealand. Accordingly, and pursuant to the outcomes of the 9th WTO 
Ministerial meeting in Bali, New Zealand continues to work with other WTO Members in the preparatory process for the 10th WTO Ministerial meeting in December, to ensure that meeting is 
successful in delivering outcomes on the WTO's Doha Round agenda capable of supporting the 
continued growth and development of WTO Member economies. We would like to see credible outcomes achieved across agriculture, NAMA and serv ices, as well as rules. In this context, we are 
cosponsors of proposals on export competition and fisheries subsidies which can be seen as part of 
our contribution to efforts to find a recalibrated formula which would allow us to achieve a more modest but still meaningful set of outcomes. We are, of course, very much aware that at this point 
in our work, Members, and particularly the larges t and most influential Members, appear to be 
struggling to find consensus in a range of areas. We would urge them to exercise the leadership 
needed to find compromises in the best interest s of the WTO and the future of the multilateral 
trading system. It is that system that prov ides the context for the economic growth and 
development of all Members of the system.  
2.17.  I look forward very much to the statements of Members this morning and we will look to do 
our best to address any further questions. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT 
3.1.  Mr Chairman, Deputy Secretary Trade and Economic Group David Walker, 
Ambassador John Adank, distinguished colleagues. 
3.2.  New Zealand and Geneva are practically at opposite ends of the earth. New Zealand is 
literally on the other side of the world. Yet it is hard to find a country that is closer to the WTO. 
Not only is New Zealand a staunch supporter of a strong, transparent and open multilateral trading system, taking a hard-line stance against protectionist tendencies across the globe, but it has also 
made highly significant contributions to the WTO such as endowing the Special Session of the 
Committee on Agriculture with chairpersons such as David Walker and John Adank. 
3.3.  In my capacity as discussant for the trade policy review of their country, I would like to take 
this opportunity to pay tribute to John for his dedication, work and expertise, his spirit of 
compromise, his ability to listen and his keen sense of humour in the face of adversity. It is a 
shame that he is leaving without having been able to conclude the Doha Round, in spite of the huge efforts that he has made to resolve one of the most complex issues in the negotiations. 
We will miss him a great deal. 
Overview 3.4.  In what I am about to say, I have tried to add to what has already been stated in the 
excellent reports presented to us by the Government of New Zealand and the WTO Secretariat. 
3.5.  It is hard not to underscore the fact that, since its previous review, New Zealand has not only 
remained one of the most open economies in the world, but has also recovered successfully from 
the most dire international financial crisis of the past 70 years and from two earthquakes of such 
severe magnitude that the ensuing material dama ge was as high as 20% of the country's GDP. 
3.6.  New Zealand has demonstrated that trade is one of the most effective tools – in addition to 
others that are equally essential – in addressing economic and environmental adversity. Perhaps 
this is because the failure of the import-substitution model followed for more than 40 years up to 
the mid-1980s is still fresh in its mind. 
3.7.  Today, New Zealand ranks among the highest on all indices ranging from ease doing business 
and economic competitiveness to social well-being and human development. 
3.8.  Judicious fiscal and monetary policy and a healthy financial sector have fostered the country's 
macroeconomic stability. Inflation has remained very low and within the targets set by the central bank. New Zealand also has a low rate of unemployment thanks to its flexible labour market and 
the migration flows that have taken place in recent years. 
3.9.  Economic growth over the past few years has been higher in New Zealand than in most 
developed countries. The OECD forecasts a 3.5% expansion of the economy in 2015. 
3.10.  Nonetheless, New Zealand still has a number of challenges before it. First of all, it needs to 
address a significant deficit on the current account, due, among other things, to a sharp downturn in its international terms of trade as of the firs t quarter of 2014. As an example, international 
prices of dairy products, which account for 42% of New Zealand's merchandise exports, have now 
dropped to half their level of February 2014. Commodity-based products make up three quarters of New Zealand's exports and their prices are highly volatile. This is of particular concern when export earnings rely on a handful of products. It is therefore encouraging to note that the 
New Zealand Government is expanding exports of services and other inputs conducive to greater 
integration in global value chains, and is seeking to reduce the external sector's dependence on 
primary goods. 
3.11.  Deterioration in the terms of trade is compounded  by high external liabilities, mostly held by 
the private sector, which further adversely impacts the current account balance. 
3.12.  The slump in oil prices and depreciation of th e New Zealand dollar over the past year will 
ease pressure on the trade balance, but the privat e sector will require more local currency to pay WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  off its foreign debt, which further increases external vulnerability. New Zealand needs to raise the 
domestic savings rate, currently standing at 20% of GDP, which is insufficient, and more fiscal 
consolidation measures are necessary to reduce net debt. 
3.13.  While New Zealand ranks high on the index of human well-being, it also has relatively high 
income inequality levels, with a Gini coefficient that has risen significantly over the past 30 years. 
The New Zealand Government is aware of the need for public education and transfer policies for 
low-income population groups, including housing cost reduction policies, such as the HomeStart 
programme, implemented on 1 April last in order to assist first home buyers. 
Trade policy 3.14.  In accordance with one of the WTO's core mandates, this is the macroeconomic context in 
which the review of New Zealand's trade policy should take place. 
3.15.  I would like to begin by acknowledging New Zealand's effective implementation of trade 
facilitation measures in recent years, ranking the country among the highest on most of the relevant indicators. Among these measures is a Joint Border Management System, comprising a 
trade single window and a revised import electronic declaration form. New Zealand should 
nonetheless step up its efforts in the areas of advanced rulings and documentary requirements. 
3.16.  I cannot over-emphasize the fact that New Zealand has some of the WTO Membership's 
lowest applied MFN tariffs, with an average of barely 2.4% in 2014, 1.4% for agricultural products 
and 2.5% in the manufacturing sector. Another important point is that more than three fifths of its tariff lines are zero rated and an additional thir d carries rates of less than 5%. The result is 
that - to use a fashionable term in the Doha nego tiations - there is a high level of "water" in 
New Zealand's applied average (bound) tariff of 10.2%. 
3.17.  New Zealand has demonstrated its commitment to the multilateral trading system on 
numerous occasions, not only taking an active part in the Doha negotiations, but also participating 
in the negotiations to expand product coverage under the Information Technology Agreement 
(ITA), in those aimed at concluding an environm ental goods agreement (EGA), and in those that 
led to the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). In addition, it has embarked on an 
ambitious regional integration policy through trade agreements. New Zealand has nine free trade 
agreements and is a full participant in the TPP and TiSA negotiations. 
3.18.  Its agricultural sector is one of the most market-oriented and competitive in the world, 
with minimal government intervention. There are no import quotas or licensing. Subsidies are 
granted only for biosecurity border control purposes and natural disaster relief. In 2013, 
New Zealand's producer support was the lowest among OECD countries (less than 1%) and its Aggregate Measure of Support (AMS) was zero during the review years. Despite the remarkable 
progress made, however, this sector faces the two key challenges mentioned earlier, that is, 
deterioration in the terms of trade and high debt levels. 
3.19.  As regards manufacturing industry, there has been a sharp decline in the main indicators, 
both in terms of share of GDP and in terms of  job creation and sluggish export performance 
- a trend which, according to Statistics New Zealand, was continuing in the first quarter of this year. The New Zealand Government is putting in place policies to reverse this situation, such as the Business Growth Agenda and the Better by Design, Better by Lean and 
Better by Strategy programmes. 
3.20.  The services sector is open to external co mpetition and accounts for 73.2% of employment 
and 69.7% of GDP. Both shares rise by more than 6 percentage points if, as I believe should be 
the case, construction is considered a service. Services also account for 25% of total exports. 
In the OECD Services Trade Restrictiveness Index, New Zealand scores better than average 
for 15 out of the 18 sectors covered, many havi ng few or very low sector-specific barriers. 
New Zealand could improve the efficiency of its economy by introducing reforms that 
enhance competition in the three sectors with the highest restrictiveness scores, chiefly telecommunications, which is the only sector that is more restrictive than the OECD average and where prices are relatively higher. However, on a curious note, many smartphone and computer WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  application manufacturers use the New Zealand market as a focal point. If the application meets 
with success in New Zealand, it will also be successful throughout the rest of the world. 
3.21.  I should also mention that while New Zealand has an open foreign investment regime, 
restrictions apply in a few areas such as the acquis ition of sensitive types of land and the purchase 
of "significant business assets" in the air transport and telecommunications sectors, for instance. 
3.22.  The period under review saw major changes to New Zealand's intellectual property 
legislation. A new Patents Act entered into force in 2014, and amendments have been made to the 
main existing laws since 2009, with the De signs Amendment Act 2010 and the Copyright and 
Trade Marks Acts, both amended in 2011. 
Progress compared with the 2009 TPR 3.23.  I shall now turn to the measures taken by New Zealand in regard to some of the points that 
were highlighted by Members during the previous review in 2009 and were reiterated in the 
context of this trade policy review. 
3.24.  Some Members had criticized the lack of protection of geographical indications, which are 
still governed by the legal framework in existence at  the time of the preceding review. It is to be 
hoped that the Geographical Indications Registration Act, which establishes a registration system for wines and spirits, will enter into force in 2016. 
3.25.  As regards government procurement, several Members had pointed out the need to develop 
general legislation in this area. In 2012, New Zealand adopted its overarching Principles of Government Procurement, while 2013 saw the entry into force of the Government Rules of Sourcing, which replaced the 2006 Mandatory Rules for Procurement by Departments; there are 
also various guidelines published to support pr ocurement, the most important of which is the 
Procurement Guidance for Public Entities of 2008.  And, of course, in 2014 New Zealand agreed to 
accede to the WTO Agreement on Government Proc urement, which is currently before Parliament 
with a view to its ratification. 
3.26.  Some Members had voiced concerns about New Zealand's stringent regime governing 
sanitary and phytosanitary measures. Although no major changes were introduced over the review 
period, no concerns relating to New Zealand were raised in the SPS Committee over the course 
of the period. 
3.27.  As regards anti-dumping measures, several Members had requested greater transparency in 
New Zealand's procedures. The country's legislation underwent two significant changes, the first in 
2012 to include a new provision allowing importers to  apply for refund of anti-dumping duties paid 
in excess, and the second in 2014 suspending anti -dumping duties on building materials in order 
to support reconstruction in the Canterbury area. However, none of these was aimed at increasing 
transparency in New Zealand's procedures. 
3.28.  A number of Members had expressed concern because some agricultural products were 
subject to export management by state-trading enterprises, in particular dairy products by the 
Fonterra Cooperative Group and kiwifruit by the Zespri Group. The number of Fonterra 
Cooperative Group's exclusive licences to export dairy products was gradually phased out until the 
licences expired in late 2010. The Zespri Group, on the other hand, still has an automatic but not sole right to export kiwifruit to all markets except Australia; the other exporters must secure 
approval from Kiwifruit New Zealand. Hence, the Zespri Group, notified to the WTO as a 
state-trading enterprise, accounts for 97% of kiwifruit exports. 
3.29.  In closing, I would like to say that we are impressed, not only by the All Blacks' "haka" 
dance but also by the hard work that New Zealan d as done over the past six years to make the 
country one of the world's most solid and reliable economies. 
3.30.  I believe that New Zealand has all the elements necessary to continue along the path of 
constant growth, to become more effectively involved in global production chains other than 
agriculture, and thus to achieve greater integration in the multilateral trading system. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  3.31.  I wish New Zealand a successful conclusion to this review and would like to close with the 
title of its national anthem, "God Defend New Zealand", with the help of the DSB. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS 
CANADA 4.1.  I would like to take this opportunity to mention that a reception was hosted by our High 
Commission in Wellington last April to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the High Commission of 
Canada in New Zealand. 
4.2.  The establishment of diplomatic relations be tween our two countries in 1939 marked the 
beginning of a rich history of diplomatic engage ment and cooperation that has been going from 
strength to strength ever since, and continues to  be driven by the strong people-to-people links 
between our two countries. For decades we have work ed closely together at the United Nations, in 
the Commonwealth, at the World Trade Organization and in other international bodies to advance shared values and common objectives.  
4.3.  Turning my attention more specifically to the Trade Policy Review, I note from the 
Secretariat's report that the New Zealand economy has gathered momentum over the last few years. Let me commend the Government of New Zealand on its on-going commitment to sound 
economic principles and policies, as well as a prudent fiscal regime that has underpinned this 
economic performance and which also points to an outlook for sustained economic growth. This is no small achievement given the challenges brought about by the post-Global Financial Crisis, and 
constraints tied to productivity growth, volatile commodity prices, and a strong currency. Let me 
also recognize the government's Business Growth Agenda - which addresses six key pillars that include Capital Markets, Innovation, and Infrastructure - which has no doubt contributed to the record of success since the last review. 
4.4.  For a small country like New Zealand, trade is essential to economic growth. The Government 
deserves credit for its on-going commitment to work across the full WTO agenda to support a rules-based global trading system. This was once again illustrated last year when a positive 
decision on New Zealand's accession to the plurilateral WTO Agreement on Government 
Procurement was adopted.   
4.5.   The Government should also be praised for its important strides in expanding its global 
trading interests - and trade liberalization - through regional and bilateral initiatives. As mentioned 
in the Secretariat's report, New Zealand now has ten Regional Trade Agreements of which four 
entered into force during the period of review, with two new agreements having been concluded 
with the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Republic of Korea. In the context of the ongoing 
Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, Canada and New Zealand are like-minded partners and are 
working to conclude an ambitious agreement which will establish new rules for trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region. 
4.6.  New Zealand boasts one of the most open an d deregulated economies in the world, an 
economy that is welcoming to foreign suppliers and investors alike. There are, however, areas which Canada will continue to monitor and in particular to this review and the Secretariat's report, 
has also submitted written questions that reflect our concerns. Canada is, for example, interested 
in the regulation of the pharmaceuticals sector in New Zealand. In particular, how the level of competition impacts on consumer choice, as well as the policies and regulations of the Pharmaceutical Management Agency, specifically with respect to subsidizing drug products 
dispensed by community and hospital pharmacies. Canada is also interested to learn about how 
adopting Australia's oversight mechanisms will affect the New Zealand Intellectual Property Office and the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys. More broadly, Canada's interests in this review 
pertain to developments in economic policy, bilateral and regional trade agreements, and trade 
policy and practices that may impact on mutually beneficial growth in trade and investment between our two countries.  
4.7.  In closing, Canada wishes the delegation every success in completing its task and would like 
to state once again that it values the opportunity to participate in this review. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  MALAYSIA  ON BEHALF  OF ASEAN 
4.8.  New Zealand remains an important trading partner for ASEAN and was notably among the 
first ASEAN's Dialogue Partners to hold summits with ASEAN back in 1977. Since then, trade and investment between ASEAN and New Zealand have grown significantly to reach US$9.8 billion in 
2013. Foreign direct investment inflows from New Zealand to ASEAN amounted to US$570 million 
in 2013. It is important to note that this year marks the 40th year of ASEAN-New Zealand dialogue relations. Recognizing this important milestone, both sides agreed to hold a Commemorative 
Summit in November this year to review past achievements and discuss ways to bring more 
successes and benefit to this partnership. 
4.9.  ASEAN also applauds New Zealand's leadership  in pursuing a modern, comprehensive and 
high-quality trade agreement with ASEAN as exempl ified by the implementation of the first region 
to region free trade agreement for ASEAN i.e. the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade 
Agreement (AANZFTA) as well as ongoing negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). We believe that these initiatives will not only help pave the way for increased 
trade and investment flows but become the catalyst for enhanced and accelerated regional 
integration in the Asia Pacific region. 
4.10.  ASEAN commends New Zealand's active participation in the multilateral trading system and 
has consistently played an important role in the Doha negotiations. We look forward to working 
closely with New Zealand to achieve concrete deliv erables ahead of the 10th Ministerial Conference 
in Nairobi, Kenya. We welcome New Zealand's announcement to ratify the Trade Facilitation Agreement before the MC10. ASEAN would also lik e to express our appreciation to New Zealand 
for its progressive contribution to Aid for Trade and the development of trade-related capacities, 
allowing the developing and least developed countries including those in ASEAN to enjoy the benefits of the multilateral trading system.  
4.11.  We note that some members of ASEAN have b een subjected to initiations on antidumping 
investigations and several anti-dumping measures have been imposed. While these have been conducted in line with WTO rules, it would have been helpful to have greater disclosures in a more 
transparent manner at various stages of the investigation.  
4.12.  We would like to thank New Zealand in advance for their written responses to questions 
submitted by some ASEAN member States. We take this opportunity to thank Ambassador John Adank and his delegation for their constructive engagement with delegations here in Geneva. 
MALAYSIA 
4.13.  Malaysia lauds the many proactive measures New Zealand has put in place to simplify its 
tax structure, strengthen its regulatory management system and remove barriers to trade and 
investment as highlighted in the Secretariat report. This is evidenced by the low level of MFN rates 
applied by New Zealand to agricultural products; the lowest MFN rates worldwide with just a 2.4% average, the elimination of the use of import lice nsing, the absence of tariff quotas and the low 
level of support provided to its agricultural sector; which is the lowest of any OECD countries. 
These initiatives have contributed to New Zealand's steady real GDP growth averaging 2.1% between 2008 and 2014.   
4.14.  Malaysia and New Zealand enjoy a close bilateral economic relation through the years. Our 
bilateral trade reached US$2.5 billion last year and we look forward to a continuous upward trend. 
Within ASEAN, Malaysia is New Zealand's largest trading partner, second largest export destination and largest import source. Malaysia's major exports to New Zealand in 2014 were among others 
crude petroleum, electrical and electronics and, chemicals and chemical products while imports 
from New Zealand were processed food, ag riculture products and wood products.  
4.15.  In terms of investment, as of December 2014, New Zealand companies have invested 
almost US$35 million in Malaysia. Some of these companies have established in Malaysia their 
global trading headquarters as well as centre for talent and business development. Similarly, 
Malaysian companies are also actively investing in New Zealand, particularly in forestry, real estate and more recently, in automotive distribution sector. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  4.16.  The Malaysia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (MNZFTA) is Malaysia's third bilateral FTA 
and recognized as an important platform in strengthening our economic and technical cooperation. Malaysia and New Zealand are also building a comprehensive regional economic integration through the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), the Regional 
Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).   
4.17.  We commend New Zealand for its steadfast support and commitment to the multilateral 
trading system and global trade liberalization. Most  notably, New Zealand, has given us the gift of 
Chairpersons of the Special Session on the Committ ee of Agriculture. We take this opportunity to 
thank Mr David Walker for his past dedication to the task and will continue working with 
Ambassador John Adank on the Post-Bali work programme.  
4.18.  Malaysia welcomes the opportunity to submit written questions to New Zealand on a number 
of issues. We would like to thank New Zealand fo r responding to our questions and these are being 
examined at the capital. Despite New Zealand's impressive record, some areas for needed improvement remain, such as the average gap of  some 9% between the applied and bound MFN 
rates.  
4.19.  On mandatory standards, we note that New Zealand has imposed more than 
1000 standards of which only some 43 standards were adopted directly from international 
standards. The remainder are domestic standards or joint standards developed with Australia. We 
therefore encourage New Zealand to harmonize its national standards with that of international ones so as to better facilita te the free flow of goods. 
AUSTRALIA 
4.20.  Australia's relationship with New Zealand is the closest and most comprehensive of all its 
bilateral relationships. Our ties with New Zealand are strong and deep. The bilateral economic and trade relationship is shaped by the Australia New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade 
Agreement (CER or ANZCERTA), which came into effect on 1 January 1983. We consider 
ANZCERTA to be one of the most liberalizing and successful free trade agreements in the world. It 
was the first to include trade in services.   
4.21.  Since 1983, ANZCERTA has underpinned strong an nual average growth in two-way trade in 
goods of 6.7% (1983-2014). Today, New Zealand is Australia's sixth largest trading partner, our largest market for manufactured products and our fifth largest export destination. New Zealand is Australia's twelfth largest source of foreign investment and third most important destination for 
Australian investment abroad.  
4.22.  ANZCERTA was conceived as an outward-looking and open trading agreement which would 
increase the capacity of both partners to deve lop closer economic and trading links with other 
countries, particularly in the South Pacific and South-East Asia. Beginning in 1996, Australia and 
New Zealand have worked to strengthen ties with the ASEAN Free Trade Area culminating in the entry into force in 2010 of the ASEAN Australia  New Zealand FTA (AAANZFTA). AANZFTA is seen 
as a template for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) while ANZCERTA is 
seen as a potential model for the economic integration of ASEAN. Australia and New Zealand share our ANZCERTA experiences with ASEAN though the Integration Partnership Forum.   
4.23.  In recent years, both Governments have taken the Single Economic Market (SEM) approach 
to bilateral economic relations with the aim of enabling business, consumers and investors to 
conduct operations across the Tasman in a seamless regulatory environment.   
4.24.  New Zealand recognizes that economic reform is a key driver of a high performing economy, 
sustained economic growth and increased prosperity. Australia commends New Zealand on 
structural economic reform initiatives and responsible fiscal management, including commitment to return to fiscal surplus and reduce debt. Aust ralia also welcomes New Zealand's commitment to 
regulatory reform, particularly by reforming the Resource Management Act. 
4.25.  Australia and New Zealand are strong supporte rs of the multilateral trading system. We 
cooperate closely in the WTO, particularly in our shared commitment to a fair agricultural trading system through our shared membership of the Cair ns Group. New Zealand is a highly productive WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  agricultural producer with Government support the lowest amongst OECD countries, providing a 
model for other WTO Members to emulate. While lesser known, New Zealand's success in focusing on growing higher education and professional se rvices exports has also been impressive.   
4.26.  We are working closely with New Zealand in implementing the Bali Package and finalising 
negotiation of the Doha Round. We are also both  negotiating the Trade in Services Agreement 
(TiSA), expansion of the Information Technology Agreement and an Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA).   
4.27.  Australia and New Zealand continue to work together in negotiating regional FTAs 
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER Plus). Both countries also have ambitious bilateral FTA agendas.   
HONG
 KONG,  CHINA 
4.28.  Hong Kong, China (HKC) and New Zealand have enjoyed a cordial and rewarding bilateral 
relationship for a long time. The first New Zealand Consul-General to Hong Kong arrived in our city 
in 1960. Since then, we have nurtured our business and cultural ties side by side. We signed the 
HKC-New Zealand Closer Economic Partnershi p Agreement in March 2010, which was HKC's 
second free trade agreement. While the Agreement is not the sole reason for our growing trade 
links, it has undoubtedly opened up new co rridors for trade and investment between us. 
4.29.  Both HKC and New Zealand are strong advocates for trade and investment liberalization. We 
have been working closely together in different international and regional fora in pursuit of this goal. We appreciate New Zealand's strong commitment to strengthening the multilateral trading 
system and commend their significant contributions to the Doha Round negotiations as it strives to 
bring about a successful outcome. 
4.30.  We note that since the last review, New Zealand has implemented a trade facilitation project 
geared towards the establishment of a "Joint Bo rder Management System", under which a Trade 
Single Window and a revised import electronic declaration form have been put in place. We welcome New Zealand's trade facilitating initiatives and encourage New Zealand to continue its 
efforts in this regard. 
4.31.  On the multilateral front, we are glad to note that New Zealand is now working to submit its 
instrument of acceptance for the Agreement on Trade Facilitation Protocol. We look forward to seeing New Zealand's acceptance of the Agreement in the near future. 
4.32.  Although New Zealand has bound 100% of its tariff lines, there exists a gap of 13.3% 
between its average applied and bound MFN rates for dutiable lines. This gap, though not utilised, 
means that there is still a certain degree of unpredictability to the tariff regime. We also note tariff 
escalation in some product lines, such as chemic als; wood and furniture; and food, beverages and 
tobacco industries. We would encourage New Zeal and to consider improvements in these two 
aspects. 
4.33.  We are pleased to see the accession of New Zealand to the Agreement on Government 
Procurement (GPA). We look forward to welcomin g and working closely with New Zealand when it 
becomes a full-fledged GPA Party 30 days after it deposits its instrument of accession, hopefully by the end of July, as Dr Walker just mentioned. 
4.34.  HKC, together with New Zealand and some other WTO Members, is now actively engaged in 
the negotiations on the Environmental Goods Agreement and the Information Technology Agreement (ITA), with the aim of liberalizing tr ade in environmental goods and increasing the 
product coverage of ITA. We believe that these initiatives will contribute to the multilateral trading 
system and provide impetus to the Doha Round ne gotiations. We look forward to working closely 
with New Zealand and other participants towards the timely and successful conclusion of the 
negotiations. 
4.35.  Services are a key driver of New Zealand's economy. It is no coincidence that New Zealand 
also has a very liberal services trade regime  and seeks continuous progress. We encourage WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  New Zealand to go further in that direction by remo ving restrictions on foreign direct investment in 
telecommunications services and transport services sectors. 
4.36.  In the WTO Services negotiations, New Zealand participates actively and constructively on 
both the market access and the rule-making fronts , and shares many common interests with HKC, 
notably the development of more robust disciplines  for domestic regulation. We will continue to 
cooperate with New Zealand in this unfinished business of our GATS mandate. 
4.37.  We note that New Zealand's agriculture sector is highly productive and market oriented with 
minimal government intervention. New Zealand ha s some of the lowest tariffs on agriculture 
products worldwide, with the average applied MFN tariff being 1.7% in 2014. The total Aggregate Measurement of Support during the review years was zero. We commend New Zealand for maintaining a liberal agricultural regime. 
4.38.  Last but not least, I would like to commend the untiring efforts of Ambassador John Adank 
and his predecessors including Dr Walker, as th e Chairs of the Special Session of the Committee 
on Agriculture, in pushing forward the very diff icult Agriculture negotiations. Ambassador Adank is 
doing a great service to the Membership as he leads the discussion in a balanced and systematic 
manner. We also thank the New Zealand delegati on for using the more interactive alternative 
timelines, and for the prompt replies it provided to our questions.   
CHINA 
4.39.  We highly appreciate the unique role being played by New Zealand in the global and 
regional economy as well as the multilateral trading system. New Zealand is the country which has five firsts with China in an exclusive way of external relations. China and New Zealand has built an 
ever closer bilateral economic and trade relationship during the review period, which is 
underpinned by the China-New Zealand FTA signed in 2008. As a result of this comprehensive FTA, the bilateral trade has increased from US$4.6 billion to US$14.2 billion from 2009-2014. At the 
same time, China has become New Zealand's biggest import partner in 2011 and biggest exporting 
destination in 2013. This is another good example demonstrating that trade liberalization creates 
mutual benefits. Moreover, two-way investment between China and New Zealand also expanding 
rapidly since last review, till 2014, New Zealand's investment in China has reached US$1.4 billion, 
with over 1800 New Zealand companies registered in China. China's investment in New Zealand has reached US$560 million, and this number is still growing at an increasingly high speed.  
4.40.  Last November, President Xi Jinping paid an official visit to New Zealand. During his visit, 
the two countries agreed to explore the possibility to upgrade the existing FTA. This March, Mr Gao 
Hucheng, Minister of Commerce of China and Mr Gr oser, Minister of Trade of New Zealand, agreed 
to setup an evaluation mechanism for upgrading th e FTA. Looking ahead, we believe that a more 
comprehensive and all-round cooperation framework will bring our relationship to a new height. In 
addition to that, New Zealand and China are workin g together for the progress of RCEP which will 
be one of the most important regional integration efforts in the region. In the meantime, we are 
both like-minded participants in the plurilateral initiatives, such as ITA and EGA. 
4.41.  Having said that, it is worth noting that there are still a number of concerns on certain 
issues in New Zealand's trade policies and practices, including the relatively strict quarantine requirements of agriculture products, and the screening procedures and criteria for foreign 
investments. We believe there is still room for improvement in these areas. 
4.42.  Finally, we once again thank the New Zealand delegation for their responses to our 
questions. And I wish this Review a complete success. 
SWITZERLAND 
4.43.  Since its last Trade Policy Review in 2009, the New Zealand economy has – based on sound 
fundamentals – shown a remarkable resilience in a challenging environment, which included major 
natural disasters.  
4.44.  As set out in the high-quality reports by the authorities of New Zealand and the Secretariat, 
reforms aimed at further diversifying New Zealand's economy and facilitating trade are ongoing. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  Fostering innovation and strengthening productivity will certainly contribute to reducing the still 
pivotal role of, and external dependence on, the agricultural sector and to broadening the New 
Zealand economy's participation in global value chains. 
4.45.  Among the questions submitted by Switzerland, one set relates to the high number of 
antidumping measures – some of which initiated more than ten years ago – and of countervailing 
duties currently in place in New Zealand.  
4.46.  My delegation has doubts as to the consistency of such extensive use of these instruments 
with New Zealand's policies aimed at strengthening competition. That being said, we would like to 
thank New Zealand for the written replies provid ed and welcome the recent approval by New 
Zealand's Cabinet of a bounded public interest test and that an automatic termination period for antidumping measures is under consideration as well. 
4.47.  Switzerland applauds the recent conclusion of negotiations on New Zealand's accession to 
the GPA. We look forward to the impending comple tion of the ratification process and the entry 
into force of the agreement for New Zealand.  
4.48.  With respect to New Zealand's highly competitive agriculture, while restructuring efforts 
have been undertaken in particular in the dairy industry, we have taken note that the State's quasi-monopoly on kiwifruit exports is not antici pated to be modified in a foreseeable future.  
4.49.  The Secretariat's report once again shows the ev er-growing importance of preferential trade 
agreements, also for New Zealand. Switzerland will particularly be interested to see the outcomes and longer-term effects of the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations for the New Zealand economy.  
4.50.  In conclusion, Switzerland values New Zealand's economic openness and highly appreciates 
its strong commitment to the WTO and impressive, constructive engagement for the multilateral trading system, here in Geneva by Ambassador Adank and his team.  
4.51.  Much is at stake for the multilateral system this year, particularly for Members heavily 
dependent on trade like ours. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with New Zealand in this context and to further deepening economic relations between our countries.  
INDIA 
4.52.  India and New Zealand enjoy a close partnership, underpinned by growing bilateral trade 
and investment flows and expanding people to people linkages. Both are strong, vibrant and 
multi-cultural democracies. These shared values provide a robust basis for greater cooperation and 
strengthening of our bilateral linkages. New Zealand is home to more than 150,000 people of 
Indian origin and Indian students, which prov ide added vitality to our bilateral ties.  
4.53.  Our bilateral trade has maintained steady growth  with trade volume of about US$ 1.1 billion 
last year. India and New Zealand launched negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic 
Cooperation Agreement in 2010. We are also enga ged with New Zealand within the framework of 
RCEP negotiations. Besides bilateral trade, two-way investments, particularly Indian investments 
to New Zealand, have been growing in recent years. Several Indian firms have made investments 
in New Zealand, including presence of some Indian IT companies in New Zealand. While our trade and investment ties have maintained steady growth, there is significant potential for expansion and diversification. We remain committed to harness the full potential of our trade and economic 
ties in the coming years. 
4.54.  New Zealand is one of the most open economies, maintaining transparent and predictable 
policy environment. India notes the average annu al growth rate of over 2.1 % achieved by 
New Zealand during the period under review notwithstanding uncertain global economic 
environment, and the rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of two devastating earthquakes. The 
economic outlook for the future remains positive . This is indeed commendable. As noted by the 
discussant and the Chairman, despite New Zealand's steady growth in recent years, its economy 
face certain challenges such as high private foreign liabilities, volatile international commodity prices, low labour productivity gains, and an indebted farm sector. We, however, note WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  Government's resolve to confront these challenges, including through its Business Growth Agenda 
for pushing economic growth, raising the proporti on of exports in the GDP from 30 to 40 %, and 
creating new jobs.  
4.55.  In terms of trade policy measures, while we acknowledge that the average applied MFN 
tariff maintained by New Zealand is 2.4 %, the applied tariffs sectors such as textiles continue to 
remain relatively high. Stringent SPS and regulatory requirements also pose challenge to our exporters in areas such as food and pharmaceuticals products. We hope that the New Zealand 
Government will continue to review its framework for technical regulations and SPS measures, 
including MRLs for certain chemicals and herbicides, to ensure that these are in line with relevant international standards and that the regulatory fr amework is not unduly burdensome to exporters. 
We had posed some advance written questions to New Zealand and would like to thank the 
New Zealand delegation for their responses, which will be reviewed by my authorities. 
4.56.  Finally, we appreciate the efforts of New Zeal and, particularly of Ambassador John Adank as 
the Chairman of the COA-SS, in the WTO and in the ongoing DDA negotiations. Both our countries 
share a commitment for a strong and effective multilateral trading system and we look forward to 
working closely with New Zealand in ensuring balanced outcomes in the ongoing negotiations. 
THE
 SEPARATE  CUSTOMS  TERRITORY  OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  AND  MATSU 
4.57.  I wish to grab this opportunity to commend the chairmanship and leadership of the very 
capable Ambassador John Adank, the chairperson of COASS. Agriculture is the most critical issue in the core of Doha negotiation. I thank you, John, for your efforts to lead the way for Members to achieve the goal. 
4.58.  We would like to applaud New Zealand's efforts in maintaining sustained economic growth in 
recent years, and for their steady reco very from the global financial crisis. 
4.59.  New Zealand's real GDP has grown at an average annual rate of higher than 2% since their 
previous TPR in 2009. This really is a remarkab le achievement for a mature, developed economy. 
4.60.  New Zealand has an open economy which ba ses on free market principles. Primary 
commodities account for more than half of total goods exports while exports of goods and services 
represent around one third of its real GDP. It has a sizable manufacturing and a large services 
sector complementing a highly efficient export-oriented agricultural sector. 
4.61.  We also note that New Zealand is a long-standing supporter of non-discriminatory and 
rules-based multilateral trading system under the WT O. Except being an active player in the WTO, 
New Zealand is enthusiastically involved in plurilateral and regional trade agreements as well.   
4.62.  We believe if a Member can fully engage in global economy, it will be benefitted not only by 
increasing trade opportunities but also overcoming the challenges linked to its defects, such as 
size or geographical location. And, New Zealand is just the right example. 
4.63.  On New Zealand's trade and trade-related policies, our written questions submitted in 
advance have already identified the areas of particular interests to us. We would like to thank 
New Zealand for its answers to our questions. We are reviewing them very carefully. 
4.64.  In addition, there are two points we would like to raise today. 
4.65.  Firstly, on WTO issues, we note that the process of New Zealand's ratification and 
acceptance of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement has not been completed. We would like to 
encourage New Zealand to accelerate the process. 
4.66.  Secondly, on GPA, we are pleased to note that New Zealand is going to formally accede to 
the Revised GPA, and we welcome New Zealand to  become a full-fledged Party very soon.   
4.67.  In terms of bilateral trade, New Zealand is our second largest trading partner in South 
Pacific region. Our trading relationship is very close and mutually beneficial as well. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  4.68.  Especially, the Economic Cooperation Agreem ent between New Zealand and us, also known 
as ANZTEC, which officially entered into force two years ago, particularly contributed to tightening 
our two-way trade. 
4.69.  ANZTEC includes substantive chapters on trade and labour, trade and environment, and 
indigenous people. It includes a commitment to immediately liberalize 132 environmental products 
deemed to support green growth and sustainable development objectives. 
4.70.  Under ANZTEC, the total amount of bilateral trad ing grew by 12.5% in the first year, and we 
expect that this figure will  further increase this year. 
MEXICO 4.71.  I wish to highlight the invaluable and constructive contributions made by the team at the 
New Zealand Mission, led by Ambassador John Adank,  to the activities of this Organization. 
John, in addition to representing New Zealand and expertly attending to his country's trade 
interests, has discharged his responsibilities as Chair of the agriculture negotiations with distinction and skill. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to his remarkable work and 
wish him all the very best in the new chap ter of life awaiting him in Wellington. 
4.72.  New Zealand has a sound, very efficient and market–oriented economy and a stable and 
secure business environment. To give but one example, the World Bank index for 2014 ranks 
New Zealand second in terms of ease of doing business. 
4.73.  New Zealand's efforts in the field of competitiveness are also worthy of acknowledgment. 
In the World Economic Forum's Global Competiveness Index, New Zealand ranks 17
th out 
of 144 economies, taking an enviable first place in  the institutions pillar and scoring third in the 
financial market development pillar. 
4.74.  Mexico welcomes the trade facilitation measures implemented by the New Zealand 
Government since the previous trade policy review. We believe that these efforts, along with 
prompt ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, will be of great benefit to the country. 
4.75.  It is equally important to note New Zealand's determination to maintain an open trade policy 
regime. This is chiefly reflected in the agricultural sector, which receives average tariff protection 
of 1.7%, making it one of the most competitive in  the world. In this connection, it should be 
emphasized that domestic support in the sector is limited to biosecurity border control and relief in the event of natural disasters. 
4.76.  We also note that manufacturing industry's contribution to the economy has declined, 
particularly in relation to GDP, job creation an d export generation; this is mainly due to an 
appreciated exchange rate, shortage of skills an d insufficient investment in R&D. It appears 
essential for New Zealand to strengthen its polici es to boost manufacturing productivity and thus 
increase reliance on this sector to promote export diversification and greater integration in global 
value chains. 
4.77.  Services are of prime importance to New Zealand, accounting for 25% of the country's 
exports, 69.7% of GDP and 73.2% of total empl oyment. New Zealand's services market still 
stands out as one of the most open and liberalized in the world. 
4.78.  Government procurement, with a 20% share of GDP, is regulated by a new regime intended 
to promote competitive procurement practices. A po int worthy of note is that New Zealand agreed 
in 2014 to accede to the Government Procurement Agreement, which is due to enter into force 
once New Zealand's Parliament has complete d its current review of the instrument. 
4.79.  Mexico welcomes the progress made by New Zealand since the previous review, especially 
bearing in mind the shattering impact of the natural disasters that hit the Canterbury area and the 
fact that the country was faced with one of the most dire global crises of our times. We have no doubt that New Zealand will remain on the right track, in line with its commitments and obligations 
under the WTO Agreements. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  4.80.  Mexico hopes to continue closely cooperating with New Zealand in the various activities that 
bring us together as we work to build a stronger multilateral trading system. 
4.81.  Lastly, I wish to thank the delegation of New Zealand for its efforts in preparing this 
fifth trade policy review and in responding to my delegation's questions. 
COLOMBIA 
4.82.  The ongoing project initiated by the Government to consider a new flag for New Zealand has 
prompted many New Zealanders to express their views on words which symbolize the country and 
could therefore inspire the alternative designs that  will be submitted for referendum. One of these 
words is "unique". 
4.83.  New Zealand is indeed a "unique", megadiverse and multicultural country that is home to 
unique species. Not to mention a hill in Hawke's Bay with the longest place name in the world, 
which I shall obviously not attempt to pronounce. Nor shall I dwell on the fact that it is the only 
country entitled to mint hobbit-themed coins. 
4.84.  The term "unique" also applies to New Zealan d's economic and trade performance, since it 
remains one of the world's most open economies, topping the world development indicators and 
coming second in this year's ease of doing business ranking. 
4.85.  Although there have been no significant changes in New Zealand's trade policy since the 
previous review in 2009, a number of facts are wo rthy of note. Firstly, the country regularly 
continues to meet its notification obligations. It is also pursuing efforts to modernize its trade legislation in order to facilitate trade and has likewise maintained its practice of ensuring consistency of its health-related regulations with the multilateral provisions. It has, moreover, 
issued regulations to strengthen the enforcement of intellectual property rights. 
4.86.  Secondly, New Zealand continues to attach importance to cooperation issues and plays 
a key role as a provider of Aid for Trade. 
4.87.  Lastly, it is important to highlight the regional or bilateral trade agreements signed by 
New Zealand with its trading partners during th e review period. According to the Government 
report, this is a strategy that complements New Zealand's membership in the WTO, which the 
country regards as the key forum of opportunity to achieve its trade objectives. 
4.88.  Nonetheless, in spite of New Zealand's robust regulatory framework for competition policy it 
could well be that, on account of the country's characteristics, that is, the small size of its population and its geographical remoteness, some service industries have low levels of competition. 
This in turn has a significant impact in terms of lower productivity levels and high costs. 
4.89.  Another cause for concern is the screening of foreign direct investment in some economic 
sectors, despite the fact that FDI is an important source of financing. Also, the fact that much of 
the economy relies on the primary sector means that the former is highly vulnerable to volatile 
commodity prices. It should also be pointed out that  the share of exports in GDP is relatively low. 
4.90.  Moreover, New Zealand's labour productivity and income per capita continue to lag behind 
OECD averages. 
4.91.  In light of the foregoing, we welcome the Business Growth Agenda introduced by the 
Government to boost economic growth and job creation and improve living standards through 
business. We are convinced that New Zealand w ill succeed in meeting the targets set in the 
programme, which include increasing the ratio of exports to GDP to 40% by 2025 and building 
a more productive and competitive economy. 
4.92.  Before closing, I would like to join Ambassador de Mateo and a number of delegations in 
thanking John Adank, the New Zealand Ambassador, for his contribution to the work of this 
Organization, which will not cease until his very last day in Geneva. I wish him all the very best in his future endeavours and responsibilities. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  EUROPEAN  UNION 
4.93.  Let me start by noting New Zealand's continuous economic growth. As acknowledged by the 
Secretariat report, New Zealand's trade policy continues to be based on the premise that trade openness, economic growth and improved living standards are strongly linked and, as a result, 
New Zealand remains one of the most open economies in the world.  
4.94.  A word, about our bilateral relationship with New Zealand. The EU and New Zealand are 
long-standing partners. The commercial ties between the EU and New Zealand are strong and 
healthy. The EU is New Zealand's third largest partner as regards two-way trade in goods and 
services with €13.5 billion in the year-ended March 2015. This represents 15% of New Zealand's two-way trade and the EU is New Zealand's largest source of imported goods and services. The EU 
is also the second largest direct investor in New Zealand with stock of NZ$10.9 billion or 10% of 
all foreign direct investment in New Zealand in 2014. The EU is the third-largest destination of 
New Zealand foreign direct investment (NZ$2.8 billion or 8%). We maintain regular bilateral contacts on trade policy; we have concluded negotiations for a Partnership Agreement on Relations 
and Cooperation and begun a reflection process on further enhancing our trade and investment 
relations.  
4.95.  I also wish to convey the EU's appreciation for New Zealand's significant contribution to the 
multilateral trading system and the much appreciated contribution of Ambassador Adank and his 
team to the work here in Geneva. The EU shares New Zealand's keen interest in upholding and strengthening the role of the WTO and trust that will continue to exert a positive influence in this Organization. 
4.96.  In acknowledging New Zealand's exceptionally strong record, we also note there are some 
areas where we recognize possibilities for further improvements. This leads me to some issues raised by the EU in the questions submitted ahea d of this TPR and that we find particularly 
important. 
4.97.  As acknowledged by the Secretariat's report, agriculture is of the utmost importance to 
New Zealand's economy, contributing 70% of total merchandise exports in 2014. This economic 
and trade structure frames the challenges faced by New Zealand. New Zealand's legislation is a 
key determining factor for the organisation of its primary sector and could give rise to issues impacting on socio-economic and environmental sustainability and international trade. The EU would therefore enquire if New Zealand has intention to review its relevant legislation, for example 
in dairy.  
4.98.  Then, while the EU welcomes New Zealand's plan s to amended legislation on GI registration 
for wine and spirits, the EU would urge New Zealan d to extend such GI legislation to also protect 
foodstuffs.  
4.99.  Another area of our interest concerns government procurement. The EU congratulates 
New Zealand on its accession to the Government Procurement Agreement in October 2014 and 
looks forward to New Zealand's timely deposit of the instrument of accession to GPA. At the same 
time, the EU looks forward to receiving more information about domestic legislation and/or implementing provisions New Zealand will undertake in connection with its GPA commitments. It would also welcome greater transparency regarding procurement rules that apply at sub-central 
procuring entities in New Zealand which are not central government agencies or crown entities. 
4.100.  Another important issue relates to New Zealand's sanitary and phytosanitary requirements. 
The EU notes that its Veterinary Agreement with New Zealand is its most advanced effort in 
bilateral cooperation in this issue area. At the same time, the EU is eager to see New Zealand 
reform its procedures for introducing new Import Health Standards and encourages it to develop Import Health Standards for products of plant origin.  
4.101.  Last but not least, the New Zealand Government has recently reformed requirements for 
approval of foreign investments. The EU would welcome more information concerning the procedures, requirements and timeframes foreign investors face before New Zealand authorities approve their investments. Persistent uncertainty around these issues may be inconsistent with 
New Zealand's objective of improving its competitiveness as an investment destination. The EU WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  urges New Zealand to assess these measures for transparency and their impact on current and 
future foreign investments.  
4.102.  To conclude on a positive note which New Zealand more than deserves, the EU applauds 
the transparency of New Zealand's trade policie s and wishes New Zealand a successful review, 
being confident that all suggestions and feedback pr ovided by Members during this exercise will be 
well received. 
SINGAPORE 
4.103.  We fully associate with ASEAN statement delivered by Malaysia. The last TPR of 
New Zealand took place under vastly different circumstances. In 2009, we were all reeling from the impact of the global financial crisis. Uncertainties abounded. New Zealand’s challenges were compounded by the destructive Canterbury re gion earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. Despite the 
strong headwinds, the New Zealand economy has remained resilient, with GDP continuing to 
expand in tandem with global recovery. That New Zealand managed to weather these challenges 
bears testament to its solid economic fundamentals. New Zealand maintains one of the most open 
economies globally, ranking consistently well in international indicators of economic freedom and 
ease of doing business. The openness of New Zealand’s economy and strong export orientation has allowed New Zealand to overcome  the barriers of physical distance and plug itself fully into the 
global market and value chains.  
4.104.  We note with interest that one of New Zealand’s key challenges is improving productivity 
growth and the Government has established the Productivity Commission to promote research and understanding of productivity issues. As a fellow small economy facing the similar challenge of 
boosting productivity, we wish New Zealand well, and hope that there can be a mutual exchange 
of ideas and research at an appropriate juncture.  
4.105.  Singapore and New Zealand have always been  close, like-minded friends. New Zealand 
was one of the first countries to recognize Si ngapore’s independence back in 1965, and our 
bilateral relations have grown tremendously since then. Economic relations are excellent. The Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership (ANZSCEP), 
which came into force in January 2001, was Singapore’s first bilateral FTA and has helped to boost 
bilateral trade over the last decade. In 2014, bilateral trade stood at almost S$4 billion, making Singapore New Zealand’s 6th largest trading partner.  Singapore has consistently ranked as one of 
New Zealand’s top ten investors since 2006. Stoc k investments increased 19% year-on-year to 
reach S$2 billion as at end-2013, making Singapore New Zealand’s 4th largest investor. The 
alliance between Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand announced last year will further improve connectivity, tourism flows and people-to-people exchanges. We also look forward to the upcoming 
State Visit to Singapore by New Zealand Governor-General Jerry Mateparae as both countries 
celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations this year.  
4.106.  On the regional front, we are working closel y together to promote trade liberalization, 
including through the establishment of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area 
(AANZFTA). Our two countries also participate actively at APEC, and are involved in the ongoing Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations.  
4.107.  Needless to say, we find in New Zealand a ki ndred spirit here at the WTO. As small and 
open economies, both Singapore and New Zealand share similar views on the importance of the 
multilateral trading system and remain committed to ensuring its continued relevance. We 
congratulate New Zealand on a relatively quick accession process on the Agreement on 
Government Procurement (GPA) accession process and look forward to welcoming them as a Party soon. We also note that domestic procedures to enable New Zealand to submit its instrument of 
acceptance for the Trade Facilitation Agreemen t is well under way, and look forward to 
New Zealand’s submission in the near future.  
4.108.  Finally, we would like to thank Ambassador Adank and his very capable team for their 
untiring efforts and commitment to the system. If there is one delegation that has consistently 
punched above its weight at the WTO, it is New Zealand. Though small, the New Zealand 
delegation has consistently delivered top-notch, thoughtful and constructive contributions. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  Although most of the cows in Singapore are found  in the zoo, we greatly appreciate Ambassador 
Adank’s leadership as Chair of the Committee on  Agriculture Special Session (COASS). We look 
forward to continuing our excellent cooperation with the New Zealand delegation in working towards a successful MC10 in Nairobi, and also in delivering meaningful outcomes for the system.  
JAPAN 
4.109.  New Zealand achieved 2.1% annual economic gr owth on average during the review period, 
with the stable transition of growth rate in the 2% range especially in recent years. Given that the 
report by the Secretariat the growth was mainly  due to gross fixed capital formation and high 
international prices for New Zealand's commodity exports, Japan expects New Zealand's economy to continue its development under its open trade policies. 
4.110.  Let me turn to the trade policies. 
4.111.  At the outset, Japan highly commends New Zealand's contribution over the years to the 
Multilateral Trading System under the WTO. In particular in DDA negotiations, Japan appreciates the key roles played by New Zealand with skilled ambassadors coordinating Members' views 
impartially as the Chair of the Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture. We are looking 
forward to working closely with New Zealand for the establishment of the Post Bali work programme and a successful and early conclusion of the DDA. 
4.112.  On the TF Agreement, Japan appreciates New Zealand's answer to our written question 
mentioning that it expects to deposit its notification of Acceptance of the Protocol in advance of the MC10. Japan hopes that New Zealand finalizes its domestic procedures in a timely manner. 
4.113.  Regarding the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), the GPA committee adopted its 
decision to approve New Zealand's accession last October. We understand that New Zealand has 
been making steady progress toward the acceptance of the instrument implementing discussion in its parliament and that it will complete its domestic procedures in the near future. Japan welcomes 
New Zealand as a new party of the GPA. 
4.114.  In addition to its efforts in the aspect of multilateral trade, New Zealand has been actively 
participating in plurilateral negotiations for further trade liberalization, such as the ITA expansion, 
EGA, and TiSA. Japan commends New Zealand's proactive contributions to these plurilateral 
negotiations in Geneva. 
4.115.  With respect to RTAs, the report by the Secretariat mentioned that New Zealand's FTAs 
with Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, Malaysia, and ASEAN entered into force during the review 
period. New Zealand also concluded negotiations of FTAs with Republic of Korea and GCC. 
Furthermore, it continues negotiations of TPP, which expected to be concluded very soon, as well as negotiations of RCEP together with many members including Japan. Japan commends these 
efforts by New Zealand for further trade liberalization, expecting that RTAs concluded by New 
Zealand will complement and strengthen the Multilateral Trading System. 
4.116.  Before conclude, it is noteworthy that New Zealand is an active provider of Aid for Trade, 
as mentioned in the report by the Secretariat, with specific support measures provided to Pacific 
Island Countries to build their capacity to trade. As the global review of Aid for Trade is taking 
place here this week, Japan commends New Zealand's efforts for further integrated trade systems.  
UNITED
 STATES 
4.117.  The phrase "punching above its weight" has already been used in describing small but 
mighty New Zealand, but it is indeed an accura te reflection of the very significant role New 
Zealand plays in the global trading system. New Zealand serves as an ex cellent example of how 
the rules-based system we have developed here in Geneva and in other fora provides 
opportunities for committed countries of all sizes to play critical roles in helping shape global trade policy. 
4.118.  New Zealand's trade policy has been driven over three decades by a conviction that open 
markets are the best way to promote prosperity. It  was in the vanguard of countries that reduced WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  and eliminated walls of protection that had been erected over time. New Zealand often did this on 
a unilateral basis, rather than waiting for other countries to act, by reducing barriers that impeded its citizens' prosperity. Over the years New Zealand has also played a leading role in the creation of strong, rules-based institutions to address barriers and open markets, on a multilateral, regional 
and bilateral basis. 
4.119.  Since New Zealand's last Review, the United States has continued to work closely with New 
Zealand to support the multilateral trading system. We have valued New Zealand's deep 
commitment to achieving the broadest possible liberalization through the DDA negotiations. We 
are working closely with New Zealand in the Environmental Goods Agreement negotiations, and believe strongly that one of the best ways we can respond to the environmental challenges our world faces, is by achieving our shared goal of global free trade in environmental goods. We were 
especially pleased to work closely with New Zealand on the successful conclusion of its 
negotiations to join the Government Procurement Agreement, and hope New Zealand's domestic procedures for accession can be completed soon. We welcome New Zealand's progress toward 
acceptance of the Trade Facilitation Agreement,  and are working with New Zealand to bring the 
Information Technology Agreement expansion negotiations to a successful conclusion as soon as possible. We have valued our constructive cooperation with New Zealand in the Trade in Services 
Agreement (TiSA) negotiations. We also acknowledge and appreciate New Zealand's longstanding 
leadership role in pursuit of stronger WTO disciplines on fisheries subsidies. 
4.120.  While New Zealand has been unambiguous in its commitment to the multilateral trading 
system, it has complemented that work with a range of regional and bilateral initiatives to open 
markets, dating as far back as its ground-breaking Closer Economic Relations agreement with 
Australia in 1982. New Zealand was a founding member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, and we continue to work closely with New Zealand to strengthen APEC's important regional 
role in opening markets, building capacity, and se rving as an incubator for fresh approaches to 
emerging trade and investment challenges. Since 2009, New Zealand has signed bilateral trade agreements with Malaysia; Hong Kong, China; Chinese Taipei, and Korea. New Zealand is also 
negotiating a number of additional bilateral and re gional agreements. We agree that bilateral and 
regional agreements can be important complements to multilateral liberalization, and we encourage New Zealand to sustain its commitment to ambitious, high-standard approaches. We also commend New Zealand's effort to use trade to promote regional development with its Pacific 
Island neighbours. 
4.121.  The United States is now working very clos ely with New Zealand in our most ambitious 
effort yet to promote regional trade and investment liberalization, the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In 
TPP, we are working to liberalize trade and investment on a comprehensive basis; raise standards 
for regional trade, including in areas like labour, environment and intellectual property; and address new and emerging issues, like digital co mmerce, competition by state-owned enterprises, 
and regulatory coherence. The latter is an i ssue where New Zealand has made an especially 
valuable contribution, both in TPP and in other fo ra like APEC. These are ambitious TPP objectives, 
but the 12 TPP parties are committed to them beca use they are the best way to open markets, 
deepen regional economic integration, and generate meaningful benefits for our people. 
4.122.  After five years of negotiations, we are now poised to conclude the TPP. We would simply 
note that New Zealand has been an indispensable partner in this effort that will not just benefit current and future TPP participants, but we believe will also contribute to a stronger multilateral 
system. 
4.123.  With respect to domestic policies, we commend New Zealand on the policy mix that has led 
to sustained economic recovery, as well as its high rankings on ease-of-doing business indices. 
Taking note of New Zealand's efforts to promot e innovation and diversify its export base, we 
commend the ongoing work to modernize New Zealand's intellectual property regime, which has already seen some significant milestones since the last review. Given the critical role of dairy products in New Zealand's exports and the domina nt role  p la ye d  b y the  F onte rra G roup , wh ic h 
assumed the role of the former statutory marketing board, we encourage continued work to 
ensure transparency and competition in the dairy sector. 
4.124.  As this brief review makes clear, we value New Zealand as a vital partner on a broad array 
of important trade initiatives. We look forward to continuing to work closely with New Zealand in 
our collective efforts to strengthen the global tr ading system. Finally, our respect for New Zealand WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  and the role it plays here is constantly reinforced by the quality of the diplomats Wellington sends 
to work with us, as epitomized by David Walker and John Adank, and we wish John all the best as he prepares to leave us soon. 
CHILE 
4.125.  New Zealand and Chile established diplomatic relations in 1945. Trade has always been the 
lynchpin of our relationship. Commercial contacts and continuous vessel traffic between our two countries across the Pacific Ocean have been the cornerstone of our bilateral relations from 
the very outset. 
4.126.  Later, political and economic contacts grew as the two countries began to form part 
of the new globalization process, sharing a space in the international scenario as countries facing similar challenges. 
4.127.  In the trade sphere, the relationship was se aled with the signing of the Trans-Pacific 
Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement, more commonly known as the P-4, which was the pioneer agreement in the process of opening up Pa cific trade and which served as a basis for the 
Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement (TPP). 
4.128.  Signed by New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei Da russalam and Chile in 2006, this agreement, 
while essentially trade-oriented, also provided for cooperation in various areas such as 
energy and education. 
4.129.  Today, as the TPP negotiations move forwar d, there is no doubt that these countries 
shared the same vision of the future in signing the P-4 nine years ago. 
4.130.  That same shared vision between our two countries is reflected in our APEC membership. 
4.131.  In economic and trade terms, our imports and exports over the period 2009-2014 
increased by an average of 35% per year and the accumulated stock of investment amounts to US$158 million. 
4.132.  Although our bilateral trade has declined over the past year, our relationship is a very 
dynamic one. 
4.133.  There are other aspects of our relations worthy of mention, such as: 
 A Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxati on and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion With 
Respect to Taxes on Income was signed in 2003 and entered into force in 2006. 
 Chile and New Zealand are both party to the Mu ltilateral Agreement on the Liberalization of 
International Air Transportation and maintain a reciprocal, full open-skies regime. 
 Chile is one of the beneficiaries of New Zealand's Working Holiday scheme, with almost 1,000 
places available for young Chileans. New Zealand is a favourite destination for Chileans. 
 Last week, Chile had the honour of receiving the visit of New Zealand Prime Minister's 
Special Envoy and Ambassador Sir James Kenneth McLay, to share perspectives and 
experiences regarding our multilateral activities, particularly in light of our non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council. 
4.134.  New Zealand's involvement in the Pacific Alliance is another point worthy of note. In 2012, 
it expressed interest in joining the Alliance as an observer. Since then, it has been one of the keenest countries to draw up a concrete  work programme and is proposing to accede 
to the Protocol Pacific Alliance, as the first non-Latin American country to seek integration 
in the mechanism. 
4.135.  We believe that it is also important to mention the New Zealand student scholarship 
scheme, which benefits both Chile and other countri es of the Latin American and Caribbean region. 
The scheme assists in developing specific areas of  knowledge that contribute to building up our WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  countries' human capital. Today, it focuses on agricultural development and renewable energy, 
both of considerable interest to Chile. 
4.136.  New Zealand has an active and growing relationship with Chile and Latin America. 
4.137.  In anticipation of this review, we submitted four questions on two specific issues and 
received prompt replies, for which we thank New Zealand. The replies are now being examined by 
our teams in Santiago. 
4.138.  We note with considerable interest that New Zealand remains one of the most open 
economies in the world, with foreign trade amounting to 56.7% of GDP and an accommodative 
monetary policy to support the economic recovery process. 
4.139.  Services account for 25% of New Zealand's export earnings, and tourism is one of the 
leading contributors. This shows that distance is not necessarily an obstacle and gives us clues as 
to which sectors of our economy are in need of strengthening. Indeed, as the Secretariat report 
points out, New Zealand is seen as a role model for tourism sectors worldwide. 
4.140.  We welcome and share the overarching objective of New Zealand's policy on intellectual 
property rights (IPRs), which is to strike a care ful balance between the interests of IPR owners and 
those of society as a whole. This is important in encouraging and developing innovation, which, according to the Secretariat report, is a key sector for the country's economic integration in global 
value chains. 
4.141.  We note as being of special interest to Chile programmes and reforms implemented over 
the review period such as: (i) those relating to trade facilitation; (ii) those aimed at improving sustainable management of natural resources, in particular water and land; (iii) the changes to the 
regulatory regime governing the electricity sector; and (iv) the Rural Broadband Initiative. 
4.142.  We highlight the fact that the level of domestic support for New Zealand's agricultural 
sector has remained consistently low. We also welcome the fact that the country has a sound legal 
and institutional framework for competition. 
4.143.  Nonetheless, Chile notes the questions raised by several Members as to whether 
New Zealand intends to modify – or abolish – the quasi-monopoly on kiwifruit exports currently 
held by a state-trading company, the Zespri Group. 
4.144.  New Zealand has repeated that it has no plans to change the arrangement. In response to 
Chile's queries, its answer was that Zespri is a private commercial entity that receives no government support. 
4.145.  Chile thanks New Zealand for its replies. Since Chile is an exporter of kiwifruit, however, 
we cannot but express concern at Zespri's business practices - especially certain practices in kiwifruit-importing countries - which penalize producers and exporters of other supplier countries, 
as well as consumers. 
4.146.  Chile considers that this has no bearing on Chile and New Zealand's now decades-old 
agricultural trade liberalization goals. 
4.147.  We also share New Zealand's firm commitment to the multilateral trading system. 
It is therefore hardly surprising that many of the Organization's bodies find us working together. We appreciate New Zealand's leadership in the Friends of Fish Group as well as its important role in chairing the Special Session on Agriculture, as  it seeks to narrow the differences in order to 
achieve results on the work programme. 
4.148.  Moreover, we have common views and interests in the Cairns Group. 
4.149.  We are friends of services, seeking to help liberalize sector and develop better rules. We 
are therefore also participants in the TiSA negotiations. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  4.150.  We are convinced that New Zealand will make an important contribution to the success of 
the next Ministerial Conference in Nairobi. The wisdom of our ancestral cultures may shed some light on the path that needs to be followed. 
4.151.  This is why I would now like to share with you a phrase taken from a traditional 
Maori haka chant. 
4.152.  As we understand it, it is used upon entry into  adulthood at the age of 21, which, in some 
ways, is the stage of transition in which our Organization now finds itself. 
4.153.  The Tika Tonu haka says that no matter how long we reflect on something, the answer to 
the problem lies within us. 
4.154.  With these words of wisdom from New Zealand's traditional culture, Chile wishes you 
a successful fifth trade policy review. 
COSTA
 RICA 
4.155.  I would like to begin by acknowledging the important role played by New Zealand in 
the WTO, its firm support for the multilateral trading system and progress in the Doha Round 
negotiations, and its valuable contribution to the WTO's Aid for Trade programme. 
4.156.  New Zealand is a partner with which we share many views in the WTO. The elimination of 
subsidies in sectors such as agriculture and fisheries, the introduction of trade facilitation 
measures, and participation in plurilateral initiatives such as the Information Technology 
Agreement (ITA), the Trade in Services Agreemen t (TiSA) and the negotiations on environmental 
goods are a few examples of our common areas of work. 
4.157.  Despite the size of its economy and its distance from leading global markets, New Zealand 
can be considered a successful example of international economic integration. According to the 
data provided for this review, New Zealand is cu rrently one of the most open economies in the 
world, topping some of the major world indices such as the UNDP's Human Development Index, 
the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Index and the World Bank's Ease of Doing 
Business Index. 
4.158.  Costa Rica notes New Zealand's sound macroeconomic management in the aftermath of 
the 2008 global crisis, which enabled the country to post sustained economic growth, driven by 
a number of external factors such as the high international prices of commodity exports. Agriculture is still central to New Zealand's foreign trade. We are impressed with the sector's high level of productivity, despite minimal government intervention. 
4.159.  We also recognize the importance of some of  the trade facilitation measures implemented 
by New Zealand over the period under review, such as the joint border management system, which provides for a single window. We are also interested to note the adoption of a new 
Trade Act, which includes "public interest" criteria when imposing a safeguard measure. 
Similar criteria appear to have been applied when anti-dumping measures were suspended on 
residential building materials. It would be interesting for us to know whether New Zealand actually 
uses public interest criteria when it applies anti-dumping measures. 
4.160.  Despite the economy's good performance during the review period, New Zealand also 
needs to address important issues such as debt levels in the agricultural sector, international commodity price volatility and low levels of competition in some services industries. 
4.161.  For this trade policy review, Costa Rica submitted a set of questions to New Zealand 
concerning its investment regime. I appreciate the attention given to these questions and will conclude by wishing New Zealand a successful trade policy review. 
BRAZIL 
4.162.  We are pleased to note that the New Zealand economy has gathered momentum over the 
last few years, having largely overcome the worst e ffects of the 2008 global financial crisis. That is WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  particularly positive when the reports before us confirm that New Zealand trade policy continues to 
be a clear expression of its strong support for the non-discriminatory, rules-based trading system 
embodied by the WTO.  
4.163.  Indeed, the value of the WTO system as an inte rnational public good was put to test by the 
financial and economic crisis unfolded in 2008. Brazil welcomes New Zealand commitment to 
refrain from resorting to protectionist measures. Since its previous Review, in 2009, New Zealand has remained among the most open economies in the world. Its trade figures have improved 
remarkably during the period of review, with its exports growing by 70%, its imports by 69%. Its 
total trade in 2013/2014 amounted to 56.7% of the GDP. 
4.164.  There are other positive developments in New Zealand's economic policies that sustain that 
assertion. The average applied MFN tariffs for agricultural products have continued to decline, and 
the average for non-agricultural goods stands at very low 2.5%. The total level of support 
provided to the agricultural sector has been ke pt low with the producer support being less than 
1%. No tariff quotas are imposed on imports and 58.3% of tariff lines are duty free. These are 
crucial elements in assessing the real degree of openness to trade of any economy. 
4.165.  We also note the continued modernization of New Zealand trade related legislation and the 
priority attributed to improving productivity, developing high-value and innovative activities and 
enhancing the business climate – measures that were fundamental to overcome the negative 
impact of the crisis on employment levels and the overall economy, and that impulse New Zealand to the top of many international indexes on competitiveness and ease of doing business. 
4.166.  That is more so in countries, like New Zealand, where foreign trade accounts for a 
significant share of economic activity. Its grow th and prosperity depend very much on the 
preservation of trade flows undistorted by subsidies and other trade-restrictive measures. 
4.167.  Turning now to the bilateral front, I would like to refer first to the fact that Brazil-New 
Zealand trade flows have more than doubled in the period under review, from US$99 million in 
2009 to US$204 million last year, but still remain at a very modest level. Our exports to New Zealand grew by 74% in the period 2009-2014; imports increased 158%.  
4.168.  The composition of our bilateral trade has varied substantially over the period under 
review. In 2009, more than 50% of our imports from New Zealand involved products like dairy, coal and some small apparatus. In 2014, main imports were concentrated on ethanol, chemical products, mechanical machinery and, of course, dairy. 
4.169.  On the exporting side, these variations are also evident. Whereas in 2009 exports were 
mainly composed by soybean cake and oil, orange  juice, coffee, motorcycles and auto parts, in 
2014 the top items were tobacco, products of anim al origin, coffee/tea, sugar and horticultural 
products; as per industrialized goods, mechanical and electrical machines and paper represented 
some 20% of our exports last year.   
4.170.  Brazil believes that there is room for impr oving New Zealand's SPS practices. Our exports 
of beef, pork and poultry, despite their widely recognized sanitary standards, still face important 
non-tariff barriers to access the New Zealand market. We look forward to working with the local authorities to overcome existing hurdles.  
4.171.  In the WTO, Brazil shares with New Zealand a deep commitment to continuing the reform 
of agricultural trade, an area where we have been cooperating and coordinating positions in the 
Cairns Group since the early years of the Uruguay Round. Still on Agriculture, we are particularly thankful to Ambassadors David Walker and John Adank for their able and committed role as Chairs 
of the Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture. We hope to deepen our cooperation in this 
and in other pillars of the Doha Round negotiations, with a view to achieving a successful outcome in the Nairobi Ministerial next December. 
4.172.  Brazil continues to follow with interest internal developments in New Zealand with regard 
to its trade policy. We have submitted written questions to the New Zealand's delegation, and we look forward to the replies.  WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  THAILAND 
4.173.  We fully associate ourselves with the ASEAN statement previously delivered by Her 
Excellency Ambassador Mariam MD Salleh of Malaysia. 
4.174.  The Bilateral trade between New Zealand and Thailand has been solid and progressively 
developed over a long period of time. In 2014, our bilateral trade value was estimated around 
US$2 billion, an increase from that of 2013 by 12.36%. New Zealand is ranked as our 30th export 
destination and 34th import source. In contrast, Thailand is currently ranked as New Zealand's 
13th export destination, and 9th source of import.  
4.175.  Throughout the years, New Zealand and Thaila nd have further strengthened our bilateral 
trade relationship through the establishment FTAs. We have always appreciated the Thailand–New Zealand Close Economic Partnership (TNZCEP), we are delighted that this year will be the 
10th anniversary of its implementation. While it must also be noted that the 
ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), now entering its 5th year of implementation has also played an important ro le in the fostering of trade between Thailand, 
ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand. 
4.176.  Since TNZCEP's entry into force in 2005, the total trade between Thailand and New 
Zealand has increased from US$424.61 million to US$1,308.07 million, calculating from 6-year 
trade average before and after its implementation.  
4.177.  Apart from the liberalization of market access for goods, services, and investment, the 
agreement also covers cooperation in other trade-related areas such as customs procedures, electronic commerce, intellectual property, government procurement, and competition policy. In 
the area of agricultural products, New Zealand and Thailand have strengthened trade facilitation 
by setting up a Joint SPS Committee to consider matters relating to sanitary and phytosanitary measures, which helped speed up procedures, and reduce more burdens and barriers than before. 
However, Thailand still seek for further cooperat ion for the opportunity introduce new agricultural 
product such as cooked duck, asparagus, baby  corn, sugar pea and pangasius catfish to New 
Zealand market in the very near future. 
4.178.  With regard to the multilateral trading system, Thailand has always appreciated 
New Zealand's tireless efforts, as well as the cooperation between our two countries under the WTO, including as members of the Cairns Group and Friends of Fish. Thailand is also grateful for New Zealand's leadership in many forums, including the role of Chairperson of the Committee on 
Agriculture Special Session by His Excellency Ambassador John Adank.  
4.179.  In this review, Thailand has submitted several questions to New Zealand, covering the 
policies and measures of our interests regarding, among other things, New Zealand's trade 
practices, intellectual property, and domestic supp ort, we are thankful for the responses provided 
by New Zealand prior to the meeting, and Thailand will certainly study them in detail with great interest. 
4.180.  In conclusion, Thailand would like to express its appreciation to the New Zealand 
delegation from Wellington for today's presenta tion and responses to our questions. We are 
thankful for the close cooperation with New Zealand in every level, including between our Geneva-based delegations led by His Excellency Ambassador John Adank.  
MONTENEGRO 
4.181.  My delegation associates itself with the statement delivered earlier on behalf of the 
European Union. 
4.182.  Montenegro and New Zealand have short history of direct diplomatic relations, but the 
friendship and cooperation between our countries and its people as like-minded partners is strengthening bilaterally – including New Zealand's resent visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to 
our capitol, visit of our Minister of Agriculture to Hamilton and Wellington and throughout 
multilateral institutions.  WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  4.183.  Montenegro first wishes to congratulate New Zealand on its ranking as the second easiest 
country in the world to do business, for a second year in a row. In the ever increasingly competitive world that we live, it is vital not only for the growth and development of a State, but also for the prosperity of its people that the international community can have confidence in a 
country's commitment to businesses. Doing so will not only lead to greater trade and 
development, but also to increases in foreign direct investment and GDP growth. At this stage, my delegation would like to take this opportunity to state its commitment to ensuring continued 
improvements in ease of doing business within Montenegro.   
4.184.  In agreement with the Secretariat, Montenegro would also like to draw attention to 
New Zealand's engagement in Regional Trade Agreem ents (RTA) since its last Trade Policy Review.  
In this regard, Montenegro is pleased to note that New Zealand is now a party to ten RTAs, of 
which four have entered into force since New Zealand's last trade policy review. In addition, 
Montenegro is pleased to note that during the last Trade Policy Review, New Zealand has entered into two new RTAs – one with the Gulf Cooperation Council and another with the Republic of 
Korea. Securing the entry into force or agreeing to such a large number of RTAs to complement its 
participation in the WTO is an important achievem ent. Montenegro believes that this will support 
the efforts of the Government in addressing the n eed to increase the labour productivity and the 
country's income per capital, which continue to lag behind OECD averages.  
4.185.  Of particular importance to Montenegro is New Zealand's clear and firm commitment to the 
aims of the WTO, including its commitment to the Doha Development Round, Bali Ministerial decisions and the forthcoming 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi. In addition, as a strong 
believer in the importance of open trade between States, Montenegro is pleased to observe that 
New Zealand is committed to contribute to making meaningful progress forward in the international trading system. 
4.186.  Finally, as Montenegro has just embarked in the full membership of the GPA, we would like 
to use this opportunity to also congratulate New Zealand on its successful accession process to the GPA and to express our appreciation for the mutu al encouragement that our two delegations have 
enjoyed in 2014. In particular, my delegation wo uld like to commend Permanent Representative 
Ambassador John Adank for his remarkable contribution to the work of the WTO. My delegation wishes Ambassador Adank all the best in his future  endeavours. Montenegro is looking forward to 
continuing constructive engagement with the delegation of New Zealand in Geneva.  
TRINIDAD
 AND  TOBAGO 
4.187.  It is duly noted that New Zealand is one of the most open economies in the world. In spite 
of the global setback which was posed by the 2008 economic crisis coupled with the disastrous 
Canterbury earthquakes, New Zealand continues to display resilience as exemplified in the 
expansion of the economy. Its dedication to the rebuilding of Christchurch is not only admirable but has served to spur economic activity.   
4.188.  Since its last review, New Zealand has made progress in several areas inclusive of the 
following: 
 Fiscal policy measures aimed at reducing debt; 
 Modernization of trade-related legislation inclusive of the new Trade Act adopted in 2014; 
 Positive regulatory changes in the financial sector; 
 The reduction in unemployment; 
 Continued decline of tariffs on agricultural products; and 
 The conclusion of two RTAs and the ongoing involvement in a number of bilateral and 
regional initiatives. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  4.189.  The rolling out of the Business Growth Agenda with its targeted focus on six critical areas is 
certainly a dynamic initiative which has been quite successful thus far in accomplishing the various targets set out under its relevant mandate.  
4.190.  My delegation is pleased to note the commi tment expressed by New Zealand in providing 
assistance for capacity building under the Trade Facilitation Agreement and to the importance of 
development issues in the multilateral trading system.  
4.191.  Likewise and as noted in our own review, Trinidad and Tobago remains firmly committed to 
a fair and equitable rules-based multilateral trad ing system that is supportive of the development 
pursuits of Members and recognizes the importance  of trade as a development tool for small and 
vulnerable economies.  
4.192.  Trade has always been a mechanism of cooperation between both our countries and 
New Zealand still enjoys a favourable trade balance with Trinidad and Tobago. As a fellow small 
State, my country attaches great importance to the relationship it shares with New Zealand, not only in this field but in other realms at the multilateral and bilateral levels.   
4.193.  Trinidad and Tobago welcomes the opening of the High Commission in Bridgetown, 
Barbados and looks forward to strengthened c ooperation and engagement between New Zealand 
and Trinidad and Tobago, and of course with the wider CARICOM region. 
4.194.  Whilst it is not uncommon for States to face obstacles, my delegation is certain that 
New Zealand will weather challenges posed by pr ivate foreign liabilities, slow demand, volatile 
commodity prices, a strong exchange rate, a highly indebted farm sector and market remoteness.  
4.195.  Trinidad and Tobago wishes to commend New Zealand for its sterling efforts in the 
multilateral arena not the least of which is its continued commitment to the multilateral trading 
system.  
BENIN 
4.196.  The delegation of Benin welcomes the major achievements recorded by the New Zealand 
economy between 2009, when the previous review took place, and the end of 2014. 
4.197.  Indeed, it would be a fair acknowledgment of New Zealand's efforts to recognize that it is 
among the most open economies in the world. 
4.198.  Between 2008-2009 and 2013-2014, New Zealand's GDP grew at a rate of 2.1%, and the 
budget deficit narrowed down to 1.3% of GDP. 
4.199.  In order to achieve these positive results, New Zealand pursued major reforms in various 
sectors such as agriculture, which accounts for 6. 9% of GDP and 6.8% of job creation, with dairy 
products making up 47% of primary exports. As regards services and tourism in particular, the sector is well capitalized and fully complies with prudential requirements. 
4.200.  New Zealand has an enabling legal, regulatory and institutional framework for promoting 
trade and investment, and ranks third out of 189 countries on the latest Doing Business Index. 
4.201.  Trade promotion and foreign direct investment agencies, such as New Zealand Trade and 
Enterprise, the Industry Capability Network, th e International Growth Fund of NZ$30 million, 
the New Zealand Story Advisory Board and New Ze aland Story, are efficient in supporting and 
promoting New Zealand businesses. 
4.202.  The delegation of Benin highly values New Zealand's significant contribution to the work of 
the World Trade Organization (WTO), thanks to the active involvement of the Permanent Mission 
of New Zealand to the WTO in the ongoing multilateral trade negotiations, as well as the funds and technical assistance provided by the New Zealand Government under the Aid for Trade programme 
and other initiatives. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  4.203.  The delegation of Benin also recognizes the leading role played by the successive 
Permanent Representatives of New Zealand to the WTO in conducting the agriculture negotiations since the launching of the Doha Round. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the latest New Zealand Ambassador, John Adank, who is with us today. 
4.204.  On a bilateral note, the delegation of Benin wishes to highlight its excellent relations and 
cooperation with New Zealand. Last year, New Zealand undertook to support agricultural promotion activities in the Republic of Benin, with a focus on gender mainstreaming and 
sustainable development. 
ARGENTINA 4.205.  Bilateral trade between Argentina and New Zealand has trended upwards in recent years, 
with a dramatic increase in Argentina's exports to New Zealand, which amounted 
to US$ 138 million in 2014. Imports have remained relatively stable over the past five years, 
accounting for US$21 million in 2014. Last year, the bilateral trade balance showed a surplus for Argentina of the order of US$117 million. 
4.206.  Argentina's exports to New Zealand chiefly consist of primary commodities, but also 
include major manufactures (transport vehicles, pharmaceuticals, etc.). Our country's main imports from New Zealand are, inter alia , raw sheep hides (with wool on), containers and boxes of 
paper and paperboard, lifting machinery, ag ricultural machinery, and insecticides. 
4.207.  New Zealand has worked hard and made a significant contribution to the multilateral 
efforts in pursuing the agricultural trade reform process since 1986, as an important member of the Cairns Group and through Ambassador Adank's current chairmanship of the Special Session of 
the Committee on Agriculture. 
4.208.  The Friends of Fish Group faces the difficult task of fulfilling the Doha Round mandate of 
disciplining and prohibiting fisheries subsidies. New Zealand has been, and still is, playing a key 
role in coordinating the Group. 
4.209.  We extend special thanks to New Zealand for its contribution and efforts in the context of 
the multilateral trade negotiations and wish it all the very best in this trade policy review. 
PAKISTAN 
4.210.  Pakistan and New Zealand have excellent trade relations and economic cooperation 
arrangement. Trade between our two countries increased for the past three years. Trade reached US$99 million in 2014, an increase of 21 % as compared to 2013. Trade balance is in favour of 
New Zealand, we believe trade potential between the two countries is not fully utilized.  
4.211.  Both Pakistan and New Zealand are members of Cairns group and work effectively in the 
Friends of Fish group coordinated by New Zealand. 
4.212.  New Zealand remains one of the very open economies with 50% duty free tariff lines and 
an average MFN tariff rate of 2.4%, except on textile and footwear.  
4.213.  It witnessed a growth rate of 2.1% during the review period 2009-2014 mainly due to high 
commodity prices. 
4.214.  Manufacturing is an important contributor to the economy, but its shares in GDP, 
employment and exports continued to decline du ring the period under review. Food and other 
resource-based industries account for most of manufacturing output. Recently, the manufacturing 
industry is facing the challenge of weak dema nd and shortages of skills and R&D. New Zealand 
Government has put in place several programs to overcome these shortages, despite the fact that agriculture such as dairy plays an active role in New Zealand's economy;  
4.215.  It is worth to note that New Zealand has the lowest rate of producer support estimate 
among OECD countries.  WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  4.216.  Services are the leading sector of the economy and account for 25% of total exports of 
goods and services. Services trade regime is relati vely liberal, although there are few restrictions 
on FDI in the telecommunications and transport sectors. New Zealand has a relatively open services regime with commitments in 90 of the 155 sectors under the General Agreement on Trade 
in Services (GATS). New Zealand regulatory regime is relatively open and reforms are being made 
in the Telecommunication and Shipping sector to improve connectivity and harness the ICT based emerging opportunities. Tourism/travel remained an important contributor to the services sector 
and the economy.  
4.217.  In services sector, exports still remain higher than imports thanks to Government 
investment in skills, education, IT and infrastructure. The availability of broad band width is likely to increase export in the services sector and will overcome the disadvantage of distance. 
4.218.  New Zealand has carried out number of reforms in the implementation of Trade related 
Agreements such as antidumping and safeguar d, a new provision has been added in the 
Antidumping Act to allow importers to apply for refu nd of anti-dumping duties paid in excess of the 
margin of dumping. To ensure rebuilding activiti es after the Canterbury earthquakes, antidumping 
measures were suspended on residential building materials. A new Trade (Safeguard Measures) Act was adopted in 2014, allowing for a timely imposition of safeguard actions and the inclusion of 
"public interest" criteria when imposing a safeguard measure. 
4.219.  It is noteworthy that since 2009, New Zealan d has implemented a trade facilitation project 
geared towards the establishment of a "Joint Border Management System". As part of it, a Trade Single Window and a revised import electronic  declaration form have been put in place. 
4.220.  Despite several bilateral agreements, multilateral trading system remains the lynch pin for 
New Zealand and its contribution to the multilateral discipline in agriculture is evident from the consensus among WTO Members around New Zealand being the Chair of Agriculture negotiations 
for the last several years. Ambassador John Adank is  a thought leader in WTO, we will miss him. 
KINGDOM
 OF SAUDI  ARABIA 
4.221.  Known by its open economy based on free market principles and ease of doing business, 
New Zealand has remained among the most open economies worldwide. Since its previous Review, 
the country real GDP grew at an average annual rate  of 2.1%. New Zealand is to be recognized for 
having yielded macroeconomic stability and underpinned growth by establishing strong fiscal and monetary policy frameworks, an open and business-friendly environment and a healthy financial 
system and modern infrastructure.  
4.222.  Nonetheless, the period of review has been ma rked by significant challenges including high 
private foreign liabilities, slowing demand from some trading partners, volatile international 
commodity prices, a strong exchange rate, and a highly-indebted farm sector. New Zealand is to 
be commended for having adopted ambitious reforms to modernize its trade related legislation, for example, amending the antidumping and countervaili ng law; reforming the legal and institutional 
framework for competition policy and changing its intellectual property regime.  
4.223.  A traditionally very open economy, New Zealand, reinforced its economic regional 
integration and actively engaged in negotiations with a view to concluding preferential trade agreements with its major trading partners in the region such as Chinese Taipei; Malaysia; Hong 
Kong, China; and the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area. New RTAs were concluded 
with the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Republic of Korea.  
4.224.  New Zealand is to be recognized for being an active supporter for the centrality of 
development issues in the Doha Round. Granting duty-free quota-free access to imports from 
LDCs and preferential tariffs for developing count ries under the GSP and providing Aid for Trade to 
Pacific Island Countries to build their capacity to trade are clear evidences to this effect.  
4.225.  Saudi Arabia and New Zealand enjoy a friendly and substantive relationship, with two-way 
merchandise trade reaching US$1.5 billion 2014. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia primarily exports chemicals and petrochemicals to New Zealand, and imports dairy, other related agricultural WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  products and wood. There is significant potentia l for economic ties to grow between the two 
countries especially in food security, infrastructure, and services. 
4.226.  In closing, I would like to congratulate New Zealand for its economic performance over the 
review period and its commitment to the reinforc ement of world trade thro ugh the improvement of 
the WTO system. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia too is committed to intensify the current round of 
negotiations with a view to concluding them in the interest of the entire Membership. 
PANAMA 
4.227.  Relations between Panama and New Zealand are chiefly based on trade, which increased 
by 40.4%, totalling US$25.6 million, in 2014. Panama exports decaffeinated roasted coffee to New Zealand and imports seafood and dairy products. 
4.228.  New Zealand's exports are carried mainly by sea. Hence, New Zealand's trade relations 
with Panama have developed as a result of Ne w Zealand's increased use of the Panama Canal, 
with a flow of cargo totalling 1,236,957 long tonnes in 2014. The cooperation provided by New Zealand to the Central American Integration System's member countries has also 
strengthened our diplomatic and political relations. 
4.229.  In this connection, we wish to highlight the cooperation and assistance provided by 
New Zealand through export promotion programmes, its active participation in Aid for Trade, and 
the Government's measures to support Pacific Island countries in building up their trade capacity. 
4.230.  This review highlights the fact that the New Zealand economy has gathered momentum, 
recording growth thanks to a sound macroeconomic framework and trade policies that have enabled it to expand its trade opportunities. A few telling examples are the number of trade 
agreements signed over the review period, a foreign investment attraction policy, the trade 
facilitation measures adopted in establishing a joint border management system, amendments to the anti-dumping and countervailing law, and the new Trade Act concerning safeguard measures. 
4.231.  New Zealand's intellectual property legislation has also undergone significant changes, 
which include the new Trade Marks and Patent Acts and amendments to the Copyright Act. 
4.232.  Panama wishes to underscore New Zealand's commitment to the multilateral trading 
system, as clearly demonstrated by its active participation in the work and negotiations under way 
in the WTO. 
4.233.  Lastly, we urge New Zealand to press ahead in its endeavours to improve on areas that 
have been identified during the review as needing greater attention, so that it can continue on the 
path of economic growth and development. 
NIGERIA 4.234.  My delegation notes with satisfaction that New Zealand apart from being one of the most 
opens economies in the world has low average rates, on agricultural as well as industrial products, 
a transparent regulatory system, an efficient customs system and more importantly, limited 
barriers to trade. Furthermore, we note from th e Secretariat report that New Zealand, as an 
original Member of the WTO, continued to main tain its support and commitment to strengthening 
and liberalization of the multilateral trading system. In that regard, while we generally commend the active participation of New Zealand in the Doha Round negotiations, we would like to also in particular, acknowledge the valuable contributions that have been made by 
Ambassador John Adank as chair of the committee on Agriculture, special session. We appreciate 
his objective and fair approach in the continued efforts to reform international trade in agriculture. Nigeria, however, hopes that the use of prefer ential trade agreements by New Zealand will not 
obviate its support and commitment to strengthening the multilateral trading system.   
4.235.  Although, Nigeria has no problem with the use of PTAs which is complementary to the 
wider trade strategy of creating new trade opportunities and improving market access in key 
markets, we are concerned that the elimination of unilateral tariff preferences as well as the 
erosion of preferences due to MFN tariff reductio ns are capable of negatively impacting on trade WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  with LDCs and poor developing countries. We would therefore like to know if New Zealand have, or 
is considering putting in place programmes that would assist this vulnerable segment of the Membership in mitigating any trade losses that  they may experience as a result of these 
measures.  
4.236.  My delegation also notes from the same report that New Zealand policies and practices 
could create opportunities that may impact positively on countries like Nigeria. Indeed, New Zealand views the multilateral trading system as its main vehicle for providing more trading 
opportunities to its exporters. For instance, we have observed that New Zealand is an active 
provider of Aid for Trade with specific support measures provided to Pacific Island countries to build their capacity to trade. Nigeria would like  to know whether the Government of New Zealand 
have any plan to extend such Aid for Trade support to African countries. In this regard, it is 
commendable that New Zealand remains committed to preserving and enhancing the WTO's role 
as the primary forum, inter alia , for multilateral trade liberalization and for the development and 
enforcement of global trade rules.  
4.237.  Nigeria, like New Zealand, believes that open markets, non-discrimination and global 
competition in international trade are essential for global and national economies. My delegation is therefore, quite aware, that, New Zealand has been playing an active and constructive role in the 
Doha Development Agenda (DDA) negotiations. We also acknowledge its full commitment to the 
successful conclusion of the Doha Round, the impl ementation of the Bali package, and the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement upon its entry into forc e in order to promote further liberalization and 
strengthen the rules and disciplines of multilateral trading system. Nigeria would also like to 
commend New Zealand for creating a favourable business environment and for its active 
participation in the ongoing discussions on the Post Bali Programme, particularly on agriculture and fisheries subsides. 
4.238.  My delegation would also like to commend New Zealand on the Government efforts in 
modernizing its trade related registration for example, the Antidumping and Countervailing 
Measures Laws which under-went significant amendments and the new trade safeguard measures 
Act that was adopted in 2014 which allows a timely imposition of safeguards actions. This is an 
area where countries like Nigeria could benefit from New Zealand's experience and assistance in developing similar Laws. 
4.239.  It is encouraging to note that tariffs have been systematically reduced and quantitative 
controls on imported goods eliminated. While around 90% of goods exported to New Zealand are 
tariff free including all goods from LDCs. New Zealand also continues to have one of the lowest average MFN applied tariff rates in the OECD at just 2.4% average in 2014. However, some 
challenges that includes, high private foreign liabilities, slow demand from some trading partners, 
volatile international commodity prices, a strong exchange rate, and highly indebted farm sector still remains. We would be interested in knowing the efforts being made by the Government to 
overcome these challenges.  
4.240.  At the bilateral level, Nigeria's relations with New Zealand have been generally warm, but 
also thin. Nigeria is New Zealand's fourth largest export market in Africa, outside South Africa, Algeria and Egypt. Nigeria exports very little to  New Zealand, while malt extract, and milk and 
cream constitute New Zealand's major exports to Nigeria. Regardless of the location, we believe 
there is scope to increase and explore the trading opportunities between the two countries.  
4.241.  In conclusion, it is our expectation that all WTO Members, particularly the LDCs, the SVEs, 
landlocked and developing countries would all benefit significantly from the continued 
strengthening and openness of New Zealand trade and economic policies. 
EL
 SALVADOR 
4.242.  The Secretariat report emphasizes the dynamism of the New Zealand economy, which 
grew at an annual average rate of 2.1% betw een 2008-2009 and 2013-2014, driven primarily by 
private consumption that shows how strong the economy is in the face of today's global challenges. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  4.243.  As regards tariffs, we highlight the relative openness of the New Zealand economy, with an 
applied MFN tariff of 2.4%, and over half of its tariff lines are import duty free. Nonetheless, we do note a few tariff peaks. 
4.244.  At the bilateral level, we underscore the cooperation received in areas such as education 
and support for development activities, which are of help to us in reducing poverty levels. It is 
therefore important that this type of activity should continue in the future. 
4.245.  In terms of bilateral trade, New Zealand is El Salvador's 20
th largest export destination. On 
the import side, it is one of our country's leading suppliers of goods, which totalled US$16 million 
in 2014 and reflect the commercial importance of Ne w Zealand in El Salvador's production chain. 
4.246.  Our bilateral trade is fairly complementary in that, according to information from official 
sources, Salvadoran exports to New Zealand in the period 2012-2014 chiefly consisted of sugar 
and coffee, while imports from New Zealand were mainly dairy products. 
4.247.  At the multilateral level, New Zealand is an active member of the WTO Committees, 
as pointed out in the Secretariat report. El Salvador welcomes New Zealand's endeavours in this 
Organization and appreciates its support for the small, vulnerable economies, a group to which 
El Salvador belongs. We agree that is important to conclude this negotiating round without delay, pursuant to the mandates given to us by our Ministers. 
4.248.  Our delegation wishes to congratulate the te am of the New Zealand Mission to the WTO, 
led by Ambassador Adank, for its excellent participation in this exercise. We also thank Ambassador Adank for the hard work he has been doing as chair of the agriculture negotiations. 
GUATEMALA 
4.249.  Guatemala and New Zealand have harmonious relations based on trade and development 
cooperation. Our countries are in close touch in a variety of international forums such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, th e Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation 
(FEALAC), and the International Whaling Commission (IWC). As regards our regional agenda, it is 
worth pointing out that New Zealand has been an extra-regional observer in the Central American 
Integration System (SICA) since November 2013. 
4.250.  Our trade balance exceeded US$30 million in 2014, and we believe that there are 
major opportunities to further expand our trade flows. New Zealand main exports to Guatemala are dairy products, accounting for 92% of its exports to our country. Guatemala's leading exports are coffee and plastics and plastic prod ucts. Our exports to New Zealand increased 
by 32% between 2010 and 2014. 
4.251.  Turning to today's trade policy review, we note the openness of the New Zealand economy, 
its ability to deal with the global economic crisis and its strong involvement in the multilateral 
trading system. On the other hand, we believe that New Zealand faces important short-term 
challenges, as indicated in the report, such as high private foreign liabilities, slowing demand from some trading partners, and the impact of volatile international commodity prices. 
4.252.  Guatemala acknowledges the efforts made by New Zealand during the period under 
review. We appreciate the replies to our questions and wish the New Zealand delegation a successful conclusion to this exercise. 
URUGUAY 
4.253.  Uruguay wishes the New Zealand delegation all the best with the fifth review of its 
country's trade policy, which is an important event forming part of the WTO's overall review and transparency mechanisms. Uruguay reiterates the importance of the WTO as a multilateral 
rules-based framework for the conduct and transparency of international trade. 
4.254.  Uruguay would also like to underscore New Zealand's active and constructive participation 
in the WTO, and especially its ongoing efforts with a view to reaching a prompt and successful 
conclusion of the Doha Round. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  4.255.  Uruguay and New Zealand have many common features, ranging from climate to domestic 
production, domestic regulation mechanisms and national economic policy. 
4.256.  New Zealand ranks 107th as a destination of Uruguayan exports; the leading products are 
vegetable saps and extracts, pectinates, and plant-based derivatives. It comes 73rd among 
Uruguay's suppliers, the main imports being seeds, fruit and spores for sowing. 
4.257.  As members of the Cairns Group and exporters of agricultural goods, Uruguay and 
New Zealand share a strong commitment to the agriculture negotiations, making substantial 
contributions in terms of both knowledge and skills and seeking to promote early agreement 
on the issue. 
4.258.  On another subject altogether, Uruguay and New Zealand are participating as third parties 
in the ongoing WTO dispute concerning the tobacco plain packaging measures adopted by 
Australia. Both Members view the Dispute Settlem ent Understanding as a key tool of the system 
and accordingly hope that this dispute will be resolved in such a way as to further encourage the Membership to make use of it. 
4.259.  Relations between our two countries are excelle nt, as evidenced by our many cooperation 
agreements, such as the Agreement on Econ omic, Trade and S&T Cooperation, in force 
since 1994, the Memorandum of Understanding on forestry and timber harvesting between the 
Government of New Zealand and the National Institute of Agricultural Research, and the Work and 
Travel programme, under which the New Zealand Government grants 200 work permits each year for Uruguayan citizens wishing to work in New Zealand whilst travelling and learning to know the country over a maximum period of 12 months. 
4.260.  Both countries have also participated in the CER-MERCOSUR institutional dialogue aimed at 
establishing closer economic relations between the two blocs. 
4.261.  Lastly, my delegation wishes to emphasize our countries' mutual interest in reaching a 
prompt and successful conclusion to the Doha Development Round, so that we have tangible and 
practical results to take with us to the next Ministerial Conference. 
4.262.  Uruguay wishes New Zealand every success in this important body for the transparency of 
the multilateral trading system. 
BARBADOS 4.263.  During the period of review, 2008/09 to 2013/14, New Zealand's gross domestic product 
(GDP) has grown at an annual rate of 2.1% in creasing from US$28,574 in 2008/09 to US$42,520 
in 2013/14. This is partly due to an increase in  private consumption, fixed capital formation, 
favourable market prices for the country's commodity exports and the institution of rigorous macroeconomic policies. In the global context, New Zealand moved up the Human development 
index rankings to reach 7th in 2014 from 20th in 2009; and has maintained its number 2 ranking 
in the World's Doing Business Report over the same period. We commend New Zealand on these achievements.   
4.264.  Despite these commendable feats, we however recognize that New Zealand's success was 
not without its challenges. According to the Secretariat's report, the economy weathered a number of economic and environmental challenges, including the global financial crisis and severe drought; and the disruption caused by two devastatin g earthquakes which retarded GDP growth in 
2008-2009 and 2010-2011, respectively.  
4.265.  We note that there continues to be challenges which could impact the country's economic 
growth prospects. Included in these are the count ry's, relatively low productivity and per capita 
income compared with other OECD countries; heavy reliance on the primary market 
(commodities); high foreign private liabilities; sl uggish demand from some of its major trading 
partners; and highly indebted housing and farm sectors which account for the largest share of the 
banking system's credit exposure.  WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  4.266.  In addition, the report has also noted that the country's distance from global markets is a 
challenge which has limited the country's participation in global value chains and resulted in low trade intensity. The report has therefore suggested that the employment of policies which mitigate 
against the impact of distance from global markets and foster greater integration in GVCs, in 
particular, innovation and knowledge intensive value chains which are less sensitive to 
geographical remoteness, could assist in improving productivity and GVC participation. 
4.267.  The Government's monetary policy strategy over the review period has been to support 
economic recovery while supporting price stability. The Government's fiscal objectives have been 
geared towards fiscal consolidation, which entails, returning the operating balance to surplus; reducing the net public debt to less than 20% of  GDP; building a more productive and competitive 
economy; the development of a Business Growth Agenda which sets out the wide ranging 
programme of microeconomic reforms; improving public services; and the rebuild of Christchurch. 
We wish New Zealand well in the execution of their programmes. 
4.268.  Barbados and New Zealand established diplomatic relations in 1974. As testament to this 
stable friendship and intent to enhance relati ons between our countries, New Zealand established 
a diplomatic presence in Barbados with the opening of a High Commission in 2015. 
4.269.  At the bilateral level, the Barbados-New Zealand relationship has been strengthened by, 
among other things, technical cooperation and collaboration in education, sports and disaster risk 
management. In addition, we are encouraged by the potential for cooperation in other areas such as security, renewable energy, oceans and fisheries and people exchanges. 
4.270.  Barbados considers New Zealand to be a valuable interlocutor on issues affecting small 
states, like Barbados. This is particularly so because of the sure and proven close relationship that 
exists between the Pacific Island States and New Zealand. 
4.271.  In celebrating 2014 as the International Year of Small Island Developing States, the 
Permanent Mission of Barbados at Geneva and other SIDS in Geneva worked with the Permanent 
Mission of New Zealand to the United Nations in  a spirit of cooperation based on the shared 
understanding of the special challenges facing small island developing states (SIDS). The 
collaboration translated to a successful, well attended and well received seminar and photo 
exhibition. We once again commend New Zealand and thank them for their continued support in the international fora to bring attention to issues which affect SIDS. 
4.272.  The Barbados-New Zealand interaction continues within the multilateral arena though our 
collective participation in the WTO. New Zealand's proven commitment to this forum has been 
demonstrated through its active participation in the various Committees, and particularly, through the stewardship of Ambassador Adank, at the helm of the Committee on Agriculture in Special 
Session. We also continue to work with New Zealand and other WTO Members to fulfil of the 
mandate set by Ministers at the ninth Ministerial Co nference for the elaboration of a post-Bali work 
programme on the remaining areas of the Doha Development Agenda. For Barbados, we seek to 
develop a work programme which is inclusive, transparent and development centered. 
REPUBLIC
 OF KOREA 
4.273.  I am pleased to note that Korea and New Zealand have enjoyed excellent relations over 
the years. Bilateral trade volume between the two countries has steadily increased during the 
review period, reaching more than US$3.2 billion in 2014, with New Zealand's exports to Korea 
reaching US$1.5 billion. With respect to FDI, Korea's investment to New Zealand amounted to 
US$495 million, and New Zealand's investment to Korea amounted to US$71 million in 2014. 
Certainly, these figures demonstrate a very close economic partnership that will continue to grow 
and develop in the future. 
4.274.  In particular, the Korea-New Zealand FTA was concluded last March. It is our hope that 
both countries will complete their domestic ratifi cation procedures as soon as possible and the FTA 
will enter into force before the end of this year. In addition, we also hope that the FTA will not only contribute to further cementing the existing ties between the two countries, but will also play a role in helping advance trade liberalization as it aims to achieve a comprehensive and high-quality 
trade deal. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  4.275.  Turning to New Zealand's overall economic performance, Korea would like to commend the 
New Zealand Government for successfully engineering its macroeconomic policy over the review period. Even though its GDP growth slowed in 2 010/2011 due to the devastating earthquakes that 
hit the Canterbury region, New Zealand has achi eved an annual average 2.1% of GDP growth 
during the review period and GDP per capita reached more than US$42,000 in 2013/14 up from 
US$28,000 in 2008/2009.  
4.276.  To be clear, we believe that New Zealand can be a role model for all of us at the WTO. 
Since the mid-1980s, New Zealand has successfully implemented major economic re-structuring 
efforts while progressively liberalizing its economy. Its impressive track record in the area of economic reform has now made it one of the most  open economies in the world, and one which is 
consistently highly-ranked in international indicators of economic freedom and ease of doing 
business. In this context, my delegation approach es this TPR from the perspective of desiring not 
only to learn more about New Zealand's experience , but also to become better acquainted with the 
plans it has set for the future.   
4.277.  Korea appreciates the legislative reforms on trade remedies undertaken by the 
New Zealand Government. As pointed out in the Secretariat report, New Zealand's antidumping 
and countervailing law underwent noticeable amendments including a new provision to allow 
importers to apply for refund of anti-dumping duti es paid in excess of the margin of dumping. In 
addition, "public interest" criteria were included in the process of imposing a safeguard measure. We consider that these reforms would contribute to modernizing New Zealand's trade regime and promoting legitimate competition in the marketplace. 
4.278.  We also appreciate the New Zealand Government for its completion of negotiations to 
become a Party to the GPA in 2014. It is our hope that New Zealand will conclude its ratification procedures as soon as possible. 
4.279.  We have submitted advance written questions to New Zealand. The questions posed by our 
delegation touch upon New Zealand's relatively strict SPS regime including that regarding "Imports Health Standards (IHS)" and amendments to the Telecommunications Act related to the 
participation of foreign service providers. We thank the New Zealand delegation for providing 
answers to those questions, which we will review carefully and revert back to on the second day if necessary. 
4.280.  Finally, we very much hope that New Zealand, as a key player in the WTO, will continue to 
play an important role in helping not only strengthen the WTO multilateral trading system as a 
whole, but also advanced the DDA negotiations. Korea has and will continue to work closely with New Zealand in the areas of the DDA and plurilateral negotiations.  WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF NEW ZEALAND AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS 
5.1.  On behalf of the New Zealand delegation, I would like to express our appreciation for the 
positive and constructive observations and questions from Members during this Trade Policy Review. While many of the points made in Member s' oral statements have been addressed in our 
written responses to questions, we recognize that Members may appreciate some additional 
comments in areas of particular interest. We will also be providing written responses to the questions we received on Monday well within the required timeframe. Before I go on, I would like 
to pay tribute to the New Zealand team, both the local team here in Geneva and also the team 
from Wellington, and also all the agencies engaged for their efforts in making this review, I hope, successful from Members' perspective. On a personal note, I also greatly appreciate the Members' comments on Monday about our Representative to the WTO, Ambassador Adank. Of course, I 
know well that John has well represented New Ze aland here at the WTO. The comments were an 
indication of the high regard in which he is held by his colleagues for the contribution he has made here, including to the system in assisting Members with the Committee on Agriculture in Special 
Session. 
5.2.  New Zealand welcomes Members' recognition that our open trading environment and sound 
macroeconomic policies have contributed to a period of sustained economic growth during the 
period of review, in spite of the difficulties faced as a result of the Global Financial Crisis as well as 
natural disasters in New Zealand. Nonetheless, Me mbers identified a number of challenges facing 
the New Zealand economy, including levels of private debt in some sectors. In particular, Members encouraged New Zealand to work towards greater export diversity; increase labour productivity; 
and increase investment in research and development. The New Zealand Government is very 
aware of these challenges and, in this regard, we welcome Members' interest in and positive comments on the Government's Business Growth Agenda (BGA). The BGA aims to specifically 
address a number of these challenges by setting ambitious targets and specific actions across 
areas that are critical to business success and job creation in New Zealand. 
5.3.  With regards to specific areas of trade policy, a number of Members commented on New 
Zealand's sanitary and phytosanitary regime. New Zealand's requirement that an Import Health 
Standard exist for all risk goods prior to their importation is consistent with the SPS Agreement and places no unreasonable impediment on trade. As noted by the discussant, this is reflected by 
the fact no Member has brought any concern regarding New Zealand's SPS regime before the SPS 
Committee in the period under review. As a major exporter of primary products, compliance with 
evidence based SPS measures is a matter of considerable importance to us, for both imports and exports. New Zealand adopts relevant intern ational standards where these standards would 
achieve New Zealand's appropriate level of protection, and is an active participant in international 
standard setting bodies. 
5.4.  New Zealand appreciated a number of Members' positive comments regarding changes to 
update and modernize our trade remedies legislat ion. This includes new safeguards legislation 
which introduces guidelines for determining whether the imposition of a safeguard measure is in the public interest, and, if provisional safeguards are introduced, allows for safeguard duties to be 
refunded if the measures are fo und to have not been required. 
5.5.  Members also commented favourably on amendments to our antidumping and countervailing 
laws, which now include the ability for importers to apply for a refund of antidumping duties paid in excess of the margin of dumping. We were a little surprised however that one statement 
characterized New Zealand's use of trade remedies as "extensive". In fact, New Zealand's use of 
these measures is relatively low, with only two antidumping investigations having resulted in the imposition of measures during the review period , and no countervailing or safeguard measures 
imposed. New Zealand proactively supports improvements to the WTO's trade remedy rules as 
part of the Doha Development Agenda. 
5.6.  New Zealand appreciates Members' positive comments regarding our impending accession to 
the WTO Government Procurement Agreement. New Zealand has completed its Parliamentary 
treaty examination process and is in the process of finalizing our domestic implementation. This 
includes completing the necessary steps to en sure that all covered New Zealand Government 
entities, including listed Crown Agencies and State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), comply with GPA 
obligations. New Zealand is well on track with th is work and as advised on Monday intends to 
deposit our instrument of accession later this month. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  5.7.  A number of Members also referred favourably to New Zealand's recently introduced trade 
facilitation measures, including the establishment of a "Joint Border Management System", including the Trade Single Window and a revised import electronic declaration form. These measures will reduce time and costs for traders. Members also asked about our expected timeline 
for ratifying the Trade Facilitation Agreement. New Zealand is currently working to complete its 
domestic procedures and while we cannot indicate a specific date, we expect to deposit our Notification of Acceptance to the Protocol well in advance of the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference. 
5.8.  As some Members noted, the primary sector plays a key role in New Zealand's economy. This 
is a highly-productive sector, with minimal Government intervention. The Dairy Industry Restructuring Act of 2001 successfully introduced pro-competition measures to ensure contestability in New Zealand's dairy markets. This has been reinforced since then by ongoing 
attention to regulatory issues relating to transparency and access to raw milk by market entrants. 
Recently, Ministers requested the Commerce Commission to complete a report on the state of competition in domestic dairy markets. This report is due to be finalized in early 2016. 
5.9.  Members also enquired about New Zealand's export management arrangements for kiwifruit, 
in particular the role of the Zespri Group. Zespri is the only state-trading enterprise in operation in New Zealand and operates in accordance with Ne w Zealand's GATT and WTO obligations in respect 
of such enterprises. Zespri has been notified to the WTO in accordance with these obligations. 
5.10.  While many Members noted favourably New Zealand's low MFN applied tariff rates, 
particularly in agricultural goods, some Members also drew attention to the space between New Zealand's bound and applied tariffs. In my opening statement, I reflected on New Zealand's desire 
to deliver a meaningful outcome to the WTO's Doha Development Round. Having consistently 
sought an ambitious outcome on market access, New Zealand would be pleased to finally see delivery of a Doha Round market access outcome that could contribute to providing further 
certainty for traders around tariffs, including in the New Zealand context. 
5.11.  In conclusion, I would like to once again express New Zealand's appreciation to the 
Secretariat, our discussant, Ambassador Fernando de Mateo, to you Chair, and to Members for 
their constructive contributions during this Review. New Zealand would like to emphasize the value 
we place in maintaining and enhancing the effectiveness of the WTO rules-based multilateral trading system, in which the TPRM process plays a valuable role. 
DISCUSSANT 
5.12.  Last Monday's meeting gave rise to a very interesting and constructive round of comments 
on New Zealand's trade policies. I would like to highlight the following: 
5.13.  First, there was a general acknowledgment of Ne w Zealand's endeavours to turn the country 
into one of the most robust, transparent and op en economies in the world. Members underscored 
the resilience and capacity of the New Zealand ec onomy to overcome the global financial crisis, 
two very large earthquakes and a severe drought.  However, they also emphasized the need for 
New Zealand to step up its efforts to achieve greater integration in global value chains, especially 
in the areas of high technology and innovation. 
5.14.  Members commended New Zealand for its trade facilitation measures, in particular the 
introduction of a single window and a revised import electronic declaration form. They urged 
New Zealand to supplement its trade facilitation policy by ratifying the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement without delay, that is, before Nairobi. I was pleased to hear what Dr Walker just said about internal arrangements going forward and to  learn that the Agreement is expected to be 
ratified before the Tenth Conference. 
5.15.  There were quite a few comments welcoming the active participation of New Zealand 
- as well as David and John's involvement - in the WTO negotiations, whether those concerning the 
Doha Development Round or those on plurilateral initiatives such as the expansion of the 
Information Technology Agreement, the Agreem ent on Environmental Goods and the Agreement 
on Trade in Services, and, more recently, the country's accession to the Agreement on Government Procurement. Members requested New Zealand to speed up the legislative process 
required for ratifying the GPA. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  5.16.  Members congratulated New Zealand for having one of the world's most open agricultural 
sectors, with the lowest applied tariffs and domestic support level among OECD countries. They emphasized the recent measures taken to eliminate Fonterra Cooperative Group's monopoly in the dairy sector. Nonetheless, they regretted th at the policy did not equally apply to exports of 
kiwifruit, 97% of which were controlled by the Zespri Group. One Member pointed out the problem 
that the current state of affairs raised for its own kiwifruit exports. Some Members also cautioned about the potential risk posed by the sector's hi gh level of debt and the heavy reliance of its 
export base on a mere handful of products, whic h highlighted the sector's vulnerability to any 
change in the prices of commodity-based products. 
5.17.  As regards sanitary and phytosanitary measures, some Members questioned regulatory 
requirements that they considered more stringent than necessary, particularly in the 
pharmaceutical and food sectors. 
5.18.  Many Members commended New Zealand for updating its legal framework, primarily in the 
areas of intellectual property, safeguards and anti-dumping, although one Member pointed out 
that New Zealand maintained a large number of anti-dumping measures, many of which had been 
in effect for more than ten years. 
5.19.  On the subject of services, Members emphas ized the openness of the sector and its 
importance for the New Zealand economy. However, they reiterated the need to eliminate the 
remaining restrictions in the transport and telecommunications sectors and to increase competition in areas such as retail, real estate and professional services. 
5.20.  Despite New Zealand's open foreign investment  regime, concerns were expressed by other 
Members about restrictions in certain economic sectors such as telecommunications and transport 
and the very low threshold for screening procedures. 
5.21.  Members welcomed and emphasized New Zealand's role as an active provider of Aid for 
Trade and its commitment to capacity building, underscoring its intention to provide capacity 
building support under the Trade Facilitation Agreement. They also noted that New Zealand grants duty-free, quota-free access to products from LDCs and preferential access for developing 
countries under the General System of Preferences. 
5.22.  Lastly, they repeated that New Zealand faces a number of short-term challenges, such as 
high foreign debt, slowing demand from some of its major trading partners, low labour productivity, and the potential adverse impact of volatile international commodity prices. 
5.23.  I think that I am correctly interpreting the way Members feel in saying that we are sure that 
New Zealand will continue to implement and reinforce government policies that will allow it to maintain its high rankings in all economic, well-being and human development indices, and that it 
will keep its key role in achieving further significant progress and the conclusion of the 
Doha Round negotiations. 
EUROPEAN
 UNION 
5.24.  Let me first express the sincere appreciation of the EU to the New Zealand delegation for 
the timely replies they have provided and the co mprehensive presentation on Monday as well as 
today.  
5.25.  The EU is pleased to note that this has been very useful for better understanding the trade 
policy of New Zealand and hopes that New Zealand will do take into account the few concerns 
highlighted on Monday, in particular with reference to the screening procedures of its foreign investment regime and the protection of geographic indications. 
5.26.  The EU looks forward to New Zealand fulfilli ng the ratification and implementation 
procedures for its membership in the GPA by the end of July already indicated on Monday. 
5.27.  The EU has no follow-up questions to pose an d we would like to thank the delegation of 
New Zealand for their constructive participation in this review. WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  UNITED  STATES 
5.28.  I just wanted to express our thanks and appreciation to the New Zealand team for the 
prompt responses to our questions and the way they were answered.  
5.29.  We do not have any follow-up questions but we also wanted to acknowledge and appreciate 
the presentations and the discussions and we do l ook forward to continuing our close partnership 
with New Zealand and look forward to both the GPA accession in the near future and the ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement as indicated.  WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON 
6.1.  This fifth Trade Policy Review of New Zealand has enabled us to improve our understanding 
of recent developments in the trade, economic and investment policies of New Zealand, and the challenges it now faces. Our discussion has benefited from the active participation of the New 
Zealand delegation, led by Mr. David Walker, De puty Secretary, Trade and Economic Group, 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as  from the insightful comments of our discussant, 
H.E. Ambassador Fernando de Mateo, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the WTO, and more 
than thirty interventions by Members. New Ze aland's timely response to about 300 written 
questions has been highly appreciated by Memb ers, and we look forward to answers to any 
outstanding questions no later than one month after this meeting.  
6.2.  New Zealand was commended fo r its good economic performance, despite the strong 
headwinds it faced during the review period, and for its sound macroeconomic policies that 
underpinned GDP growth. Nevertheless, Members acknowledged that New Zealand still faces 
certain important challenges, including a high foreign debt, weak external demand, low labour 
productivity, volatile international commodity prices and their effects on the country's terms of 
trade. They encouraged New Zealand to continue efforts to diversify its economy and export base, improve productivity and increase its participation in global value chains.    
6.3.  Members praised New Zealand for its strong commitment to the multilateral trading system 
and for its valuable contribution to the work of the WTO, most notably for its leadership in the agricultural negotiations and other key negotiating areas, as well as its contributions to the Aid for Trade initiative. Members also took note of New Zealand's increased engagement in RTAs, 
especially in the Asia-Pacific region, and urged New Zealand to ensure that its RTAs achieve 
comprehensive market access outcomes that further complement and strengthen the multilateral trading system.  
6.4.  New Zealand was highly commended for maintaining a very open economy and trade regime. 
While acknowledging that New Zealand had one of the lowest average MFN tariffs, Members urged New Zealand to reduce the existing gap between the applied and bound MFN rates, as well as to 
lower high tariffs in textiles and tariff esca lation in some other product lines.      
6.5.  Members welcomed measures undertaken by New Zealand during the review period to 
improve its customs procedures, including the establishment of a Joint Border Management 
System and a Trade Single Window. They also welcomed New Zealand's announcement that it 
expects to complete ratification of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement in advance of the 10th 
Ministerial Conference.  
6.6.  Members showed appreciation for New Zealand's reforms to modernize its trade legislation in 
the areas of antidumping, countervailing measures and safeguards, including through the 
introduction of a public interest test. Some of  them requested New Zealand, nevertheless, to 
provide more transparency throughout the various stages of antidumping investigations.  
6.7.  As regards New Zealand's biosecurity system, some Members were of the view that relatively 
stringent SPS measures might discourage imports of certain food and pharmaceutical products. Other Members encouraged New Zealand to reform its procedures for introducing Import Health Standards and to develop such standards for products of plant origin. In the area of technical 
regulations, New Zealand was invited to further harmonize its national standards with international 
standards in order to facilitate the free flow of goods. 
6.8.  Members took note of the recent agreement of the WTO Committee on Government 
Procurement on New Zealand's terms of accession to the Revised GPA, and were pleased to hear 
that New Zealand expects to deposit its instrument of accession by the end of this month. Further 
information was sought on New Zealand's implementing provisions in connection with its GPA 
commitments and on the rules applying to sub-central procurement entities.   
6.9.  New Zealand's efforts to modernize its intellectual property regime were also recognized, 
including its plans to amend and bring into effect legislation on the registration of geographical 
indications for wines and spirits. In this regard, New Zealand was encouraged to extend the same 
protection to foodstuffs.    WT/TPR/M/316 • New Zealand 
 
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  6.10.  Members acknowledged the importance of agricu lture to New Zealand's economy and trade. 
They congratulated New Zealand for maintaining a liberal agricultural regime, emphasizing that it had the lowest producer support level among OECD economies. Nevertheless, New Zealand was urged to continue reform in order to ensure transparency and effective competition in the dairy 
sector. In response to questions regarding the quasi-monopoly of kiwifr uit exports by a state 
trading company, New Zealand indicated that it did not have plans to reform the legislation in this area as it considered that no obstacles to trade were created and that its kiwifruit export regime 
was consistent with WTO obligations.  
6.11.  A number of participants referred to the crucial role of services in the New Zealand 
economy, and welcomed the reforms undertaken in the financial and telecommunication sectors during the review period. Members also commended New Zealand for its generally open trade 
regime in services and some encouraged it to further liberalize it by removing restrictions to 
foreign investment in the transport and telecommunications sectors. Likewise, New Zealand was encouraged to promote competition in several services markets so as to increase productivity and 
reduce costs.    
6.12.  Last but not least, while New Zealand's open foreign investment regime was acknowledged, 
some Members found that there was room for improvement, notably concerning certain 
restrictions in sensitive sectors and the FDI screening process. More information was sought about 
procedures, requirements and time-frames for foreign investment applications, and New Zealand was urged to assess the impact of these measures on current and future foreign investments. 
6.13.  Overall, New Zealand was highly commended for maintaining one of the most liberal 
economic policies, which was reflected in its high rankings in international indicators of ease of 
doing business, economic openness and human de velopment. Members were confident that New 
Zealand had solid fundamentals and adequate policy settings to consolidate reforms and achieve 
sustained growth.    
6.14.  The New Zealand authorities provided detaile d answers and additional information in 
response to the questions and comments made by Me mbers during this meeting. This successfully 
concludes the fifth Review of New Zealand's trade policies. The substantial number of advance 
questions and the many interventions during our meeting indicate the importance Members attach 
to New Zealand's trade policies and its valuable participation in the WTO.  
6.15.  In closing, I would once again like to than k the New Zealand delegation, the discussant and 
Members for contributing to what has been a very enlightening two days of discussions. 
__________