What really happened at Auckland's TPP talks, export report sparks debate and more

Message from the executive director

There was much media and protester interest in Round 15 of the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations that took place in Auckland from 3-12 December. What really happened? And what does this mean for the conclusion of negotiations? Find out here...
As we draw to the end of 2012, I wish you a safe and happy holiday season, and look forward to working with you further to make 2013 a fantastic year for New Zealand exports.
Catherine Beard
027 463 3212 or cbeard@exportnz.org.nz

Our Export report sparks debate
Great to see our "Lifting Export Performance" report authored by NZIER appearing in articles and speeches around the country and sparking debate. This is the sort of reaction we were hoping for. On example is this article that appeared in the NZ Herald. It focuses on the question of how to keep high performing firms in NZ.
One of the other issues highlighted in the report that gained a lot of attention (such as this) is the population debate.
How big should NZ's population be? The NZ Herald made that the poll of the day when the report was released. By the end of the day there were 6,660 votes. The choices were stay the same (35% of votes) or increase to 5 million (did not count that as that is pretty much business as usual). But if you added up the number that voted for an increase to 10 million, 15 million or any number, 40% of voters were in favour of growth. It's also interesting to note that Australia is predicted to grow by 13 million by 2049 through fertility and net migration.
C Beard

Global shipping industry's troubles are threat for biggest German banks
For all the talk about Germany’s financial exposure to Greece, it turns out that some German banks have a problem of more titanic proportions — their vulnerability to the global shipping trade. More...

Have your say - changes to the Horticulture Export Authority Act
The Ministry for Primary Industries is seeking public views on possible changes to the Horticulture Export Authority (HEA) Act.
The HEA provides a voluntary mechanism for horticulture industries to jointly fund and organise activities that support successful exporting, such as quality assurance, promotion and marketing. More...

New electronic authentication service
New Zealanders who need officially-verified documents for use in most countries can now get them issued electronically through the e-Apostille service run by the Department of Internal Affairs’ Authentication Unit. More...

China Watch
David Mahon of Mahon China Investment Management Ltd provides us with an insider's guide to developments in Chinese politics, business and the economy. More...

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Send an email to Catherine Beard, ExportNZ
Executive Director

In this issue

Our Export report sparks debate

Global shipping industry's troubles are threat for biggest German banks

Have your say - changes to the Horticulture Export Authority Act

New electronic authentication service

China Watch
ends

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>