McClay Todd: Tariff (New Zealand-Hong Kong China Closer Economic Partnership Agreement) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
McClay Todd: Tariff (New Zealand-Hong Kong China Closer Economic Partnership Agreement) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 22 June 2010. Volume:664;Page:12102. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
TODD McCLAY (National—Rotorua) 
: 
 It gives me pleasure to rise to speak on the Tariff (New Zealand-Hong Kong China Closer Economic Partnership Agreement) Amendment Bill. Trade agreements are very much about building relationships and I was thinking a moment ago that it is a good thing for our country that this is an economic partnership with Hong Kong and not England. I congratulate the New Zealand Maori on beating England tonight. The score was 35-28 which was a great victory. 
Hon Nathan Guy 
: Were you there in Rotorua? 
TODD McCLAY 
: I was in Rotorua last week when they beat the Welsh but no I was here in Parliament working hard on behalf of my constituents when they won this evening. It is a great victory for them. Therefore it is a good thing that we are not debating an agreement with England because that good relationship has been ruined for another week. 
I will touch on a couple of points that are important but first I will recognise what S’ua William Sio said earlier on the importance of China as a nation with a large number of consumers who are increasing their income. Mr Sio said that when he was younger he thought that Bruce Lee was a cousin or a relation. I am reliably informed that Bruce Lee also thought that Mr Sio was a relation although one who had done a little less exercise than he had. But I agree with everything Mr Sio said. 
This agreement as with the other trade agreements that have been brought before this House since we came into Government is about boosting innovation and improving export access to world markets. It is one of the National Government’s six policy drivers for a step change in New Zealand’s economic performance. This agreement with Hong Kong is an important part of National’s focus on free trade and on improving access for our exporters to world markets which is a priority included in the Prime Minister’s statement to Parliament in February of this year. 
In my electorate of Rotorua a number of producers primarily in the primary sector will benefit from this agreement when it enters into force. There are some opportunities in forestry but certainly there are opportunities in the production of kiwifruit agricultural products dairy products sheep and beef and so on. Currently we have $823 million worth of trade a year between New Zealand and Hong Kong and we can expect that amount of trade to increase when this agreement enters into force. It will increase to the betterment of our producers which will be a very good thing. 
The bill enhances our economic integration with the Asian region and it follows from a great number of other free-trade agreements that have been put into place since we have come into Government: agreements with Thailand Singapore and China have come into force there is an agreement with the ASEAN countries and agreements with Malaysia and Brunei as well. That is very good for New Zealand producers and I know that everybody but a few in this House support those fully. 
Hon Maryan Street 
: All your own work. Come on—a little bit of graciousness across the House. 
TODD McCLAY 
: I do recognise as graciously as I can that members opposite played a small part in this work and we thank them for that. 
I will also touch on a point made by Rahui Katene about the involvement that this agreement might have in the future with Chinese companies and others that will want to come and invest in New Zealand. The closer economic partnership does not provide Hong Kong investors with preferential access to the New Zealand investment screening regime. As with any other company or person in the world wanting to invest in New Zealand very strict and stringent procedures are in place and they will apply under this agreement as they do to others. I think it is important that we recognise that. 
This bill is a very good piece of work. I look forward to its referral to the select committee tomorrow morning and I look forward to supporting it further. Thank you.