1. Export Sector—PerformanceSARAH DOWIE (National—Invercargill) to the Minister of FinanceORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSExport Sector—Performance 1. SARAH DOWIE (National—Invercargill) to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on New Zealand's trade exports?Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister of Finance): The overseas merchandise trade statistics were released yesterday and they show exports for the month of June increasing just under half a billion dollars or 11 percent to $4.7 billion when compared with June last year. This increase in exports resulted in a monthly surplus for goods of $242 million. That is the fourth consecutive surplus. The seasonally adjusted annual goods trade deficit for the year to June was $3.7 billion slightly lower than the $3.8 billion for the year to May. New Zealand's strong economic plan and pro-trade policies mean that Kiwi companies and entrepreneurs are competing and succeeding on the world stage.Sarah Dowie: What particular sectors are driving this increase in value of New Zealand exports?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: June's increase in exports was led by dairy product exports particularly to China. Milk powder butter and cheese jumped just under $400 million in the month or 45 percent to $1.2 billion due to increases in both value and volume. The re-emerging strength of our dairy sector was reflected in Fonterra's announcement this morning I see lifting its forecast farm-gate milk price for the upcoming season to $6.75. That is a good start to the season for farmers and relevant regional economies following a challenging period for a number of those regions.Sarah Dowie: How are New Zealand services exports contributing to our trade balance?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: The most recent quarterly figures for services exports are available for the March year and they show that New Zealand's services surplus stood at $1 billion for that quarter in March. Services exports have increased by $33 million for the quarter driven by spending on transportation services. Overall services exports have increased almost one-third over the 3 years. Of course the biggest risk our service exporters face would be reversing policies that have given them the confidence to invest and grow—for example turning skilled workers away at the border.Sarah Dowie: How is the Government helping exporters compete internationally?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Minister Bridges and I released the refreshed Business Growth Agenda earlier this afternoon which lays out the Government's ongoing commitment not just to responsible economic management but also continual microeconomic reform and investment in infrastructure to create an environment that businesses can continue to grow and thrive in. Our key focus for exporters is delivering Trade Agenda 2030 to make New Zealand more internationally connected through trade and investment and people flows and to take advantage of growth across the wider Asia-Pacific region.Rt Hon Winston Peters: How will the Government reach its much-vaunted export target of $64 billion from primary industries by 2025 with primary exports growing at less than 1 percent with well over 150—Hon Nathan Guy: Ten percent next year.Rt Hon Winston Peters: —it is 1 percent right now sunshine—biosecurity incursions since 2008 and with biosecurity funding in real terms down not up since 2008?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Well the Government will first be seeking to get re-elected to continue with its strong economic plan which is delivering strong growth for New Zealanders and I can tell the member that I will be happy to be in this Parliament alongside him in 2025 when we get the opportunity to celebrate the success.