New Zealand Political Parties Urged To Support New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement

The Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of NZ (WPMA) joins the wider BusinessNZ network in calling on all political parties to maintain New Zealand’s bipartisan commitment to trade and support the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement.

Trade remains a cornerstone of New Zealand’s economic strength, underpinning jobs, lifting household incomes, and funding essential public services including hospitals, schools, and infrastructure. A longstanding bipartisan approach to trade policy has given exporters the stability and confidence needed to invest, innovate, and compete on the global stage.

The New Zealand–India Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) represents a major step forward in strengthening New Zealand’s international trade position and now requires cross party-political support to complete. India, one of the world’s fastestgrowing major economies and projected to become the third largest, offers significant opportunities for New Zealand’s wood processing and manufacturing sectors. Until now, many exporters have faced high tariffs and regulatory barriers when accessing India’s 1.4 billion consumers.

Under the CFTA, tariffs on more than 95 percent of timber, lumber, and related products will be eliminated, delivering immediate benefits for New Zealand’s wood processors and forestryrelated industries. WPMA Chief Executive Mark Ross says, “This Free Trade Agreement presents significant opportunities for New Zealand wood processors and manufacturers.”

The agreement reinforces the importance of a rulesbased international trading system—an essential foundation for a small, exportreliant nation. Continued bipartisan support will ensure New Zealand wood product exporters can fully realise the longterm benefits of the CFTA and strengthen the industry’s position in an increasingly competitive global environment. More details on Back the Deal and how you can become a signatory can be found here: https://exportnz.org.nz/back-the-india-deal/

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