Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand

Summary:

Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union (EU) and New Zealand (EU-NZ FTA).

Further information:

The objectives of this Agreement are to liberalise and facilitate trade and investment, as well as to promote a closer economic relationship between the two sides. Negotiations for this FTA were concluded on 30 June 2022. The European Commission launched the ratification process on 17 February 2023.

The Council of the European Union adopted the Decision on the signature of the FTA on 27 June 2023, allowing the Agreement to be formally signed on 9 July 2023. Following the consent provided by the European Parliament on 22 November, the Council adopted the Decision on the conclusion of the FTA on 27 November 2023. This was published in the Official Journal on 28 February 2024 alongside the text of the Free Trade Agreement. The EU-NZ FTA entered into force on 1 May 2024.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

The Conversation, 13/07/2022: A trade deal with the EU makes sense for NZ, but what’s in it for Europe? Symbolically, a lot https://theconversation.com/a-trade-deal-with-the-eu-makes-sense-for-nz-but-whats-in-it-for-europe-symbolically-a-lot-186637

International Bar Association, 15/08/2022: Climate crisis: EU-New Zealand agreement raises the bar on climate action in trade deals https://www.ibanet.org/Climate-crisis-EU-New-Zealand-agreement-raises-the-bar-on-Climate-action-in-trade-deals

European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS): Briefing, 01/09/2022: EU-New Zealand free trade agreement: Climate and labour commitments, with sanctions https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2022)733622

European Journal of International Law: EJIL Talk! Blog, 28/09/2022: EU – New Zealand FTA: Towards a new approach in the enforcement of trade and sustainable development obligations https://www.ejiltalk.org/eu-new-zealand-fta-towards-a-new-approach-in-the-enforcement-of-trade-and-sustainable-development-obligations/

International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD): Policy Analysis, 15/01/2023: Sustainability and the New Zealand-EU Free Trade Agreement: A step up in accountability https://www.iisd.org/articles/policy-analysis/new-zealand-eu-free-trade-agreement

Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP): Post-FTA briefing: EU-New Zealand (9 March 2023) https://ieep.eu/publications/post-fta-briefing-eu-new-zealand/

NZ Herald, 08/07/2023: Damien O’Connor: Doors about to be open - what the free trade agreement with the EU really means https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/damien-oconnor-doors-about-to-be-open-what-the-free-trade-agreement-with-the-eu-really-means/GXF4KSHVI5DLTMOXLCAF5YWC2Q/

Deutsche Welle, 10/07/2023: Why the EU-New Zealand free trade deal is important https://p.dw.com/p/4TgnB

El País, 23/08/2023: New Zealand, the trading partner of almost every country in the world https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-08-23/new-zealand-the-trading-partner-of-almost-every-country-in-the-world.html

Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP): Publications, 09/10/2023: Reconciling agricultural and sustainability objectives in the EU-New Zealand FTA https://ieep.eu/publications/reconciling-agricultural-and-sustainability-objectives-in-the-eu-newzealand-fta/

European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS): Briefing, 09/11/2023: EU-New Zealand free trade agreement: One step closer to ratification https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2023)754577

European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS): At a Glance, 15/11/2023: EU–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_ATA(2023)754592

European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS): Policy Podcast, 06/12/2023: EU-New Zealand free trade agreement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBzUPrZmYPg

European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS): Briefing, 12/12/2023: EU-New Zealand free trade agreement: Strengthened ties between like-minded partners - International Agreements in Progress https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2023)757564

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News

EurActiv, 08/11/2022: New Zealand minister: Trade deal with EU set global example on sustainability https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/new-zealand-minister-trade-deal-with-eu-set-global-example-on-sustainability/

Reuters, 09/07/2023: New Zealand, EU ink trade deal that likely goes into effect in 2024 https://www.reuters.com/business/new-zealand-eu-ink-trade-deal-that-likely-goes-into-effect-2024-2023-07-09/

Euronews, 09/07/2023: Ambitious, balanced and green: EU and New Zealand sign free trade agreement https://www.euronews.com/2023/07/09/ambitious-balanced-and-green-eu-and-new-zealand-sign-free-trade-agreement

Bloomberg, 09/07/2023: EU Signs New Zealand Trade Deal To Boost Exports, Investments https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-09/eu-signs-new-zealand-trade-deal-to-boost-exports-investments

Agriland, 09/07/2023: EU and New Zealand sign free trade agreement https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/eu-and-new-zealand-sign-free-trade-agreement/

RTÉ News, 09/07/2023: New Zealand signs 'ambitious' trade deal with EU https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2023/0709/1393622-new-zealand/

EFE Agency, 10/07/2023: New Zealand, EU sign free trade agreement https://efe.com/en/latest-news/2023-07-10/new-zealand-eu-sign-free-trade-agreement/

Associated Press (AP News), 10/07/2023: European Union and New Zealand sign free trade deal that’s expected to boost trade by up to 30% https://apnews.com/article/euopean-union-new-zealand-free-trade-7f35faa4fc0fc555bc2e72d17bf25187

The Independent (UK), 10/07/2023: European Union and New Zealand sign free trade deal that's expected to boost trade by up to 30% https://www.independent.co.uk/news/new-zealand-ap-european-union-wellington-ursula-von-der-leyen-b2372535.html

SeafoodSource, 28/07/2023: New Zealand primes its seafood sector for start of EU free-trade agreement https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/premium/supply-trade/new-zealand-primes-its-seafood-sector-for-start-of-eu-free-trade-agreement

Politico, 22/11/2023: European lawmakers give green light to ‘model’ NZ trade deal https://www.politico.eu/article/european-lawmakers-give-green-light-model-nz-trade-deal-sustainability/

EurActiv, 27/11/2023: EU-New Zealand trade pact gets Brussels’ final green light https://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/eu-new-zealand-trade-pact-gets-brussels-final-green-light/

Reuters, 25/03/2024: New Zealand and EU trade agreement to take effect on May 1 https://www.reuters.com/world/new-zealand-eu-trade-agreement-take-effect-may-1-2024-03-25/

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Official

EUR-LEX: OJ L Series: Notice concerning the date of entry into force of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand http://data.europa.eu/eli/notice/2024/1062/oj

EUR-LEX: OJ L166, 30/06/2023: Council Decision (EU) 2023/1323 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/1323/oj

EUR-LEX: OJ L series, 28/02/2024: Council Decision (EU) 2024/244 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/244/oj

EUR-LEX: COM(2023)82: Proposal for a Council Decision on the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2023:82:FIN

EUR-LEX: COM(2023)87: Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2023:87:FIN

European Commission: EU trade relations: New Zealand https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/new-zealand_en

European Commission: Trade: EU-New Zealand Trade Agreement https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/new-zealand/eu-new-zealand-agreement_en

NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade: New Zealand-European Union Free Trade Agreement https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/trade/free-trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements-concluded-but-not-in-force/new-zealand-european-union-free-trade-agreement/

European Parliament: Legislative Train Schedule: EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement https://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-a-stronger-europe-in-the-world/file-eu-new-zealand-fta

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure file for EU/New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (2023/0038(NLE)) https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2023/0038(NLE)

NZ Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment: EU-NZ Free Trade Agreement: Review of geographical indications law https://www.mbie.govt.nz/have-your-say/eu-nz-free-trade-agreement-review-of-geographical-indications-law/

European Commission: Press Release, 17/02/2023: Commission presents EU-New Zealand trade agreement for ratification https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_23_921

Council of the European Union: Press Release 27/06/2023: EU-New Zealand: Council adopts the decision to sign free trade agreement https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/06/27/eu-new-zealand-council-adopts-the-decision-to-sign-free-trade-agreement/

European Commission: Press Release, 09/07/2023: EU and New Zealand sign ambitious free trade agreement https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3715

Spanish Government: News, 10/07/2023: The Spanish presidency begins with the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and New Zealand https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/lang/en/gobierno/news/paginas/2023/20230710_eu-new-zealand-trade-agreement.aspx

European Parliament: Press Release, 24/10/2023: EU-New Zealand free trade deal gets green light in Trade Committee https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20231023IPR08122/

Renew Europe EP Group: Newsroom, 21/11/2023: EU-New Zealand deal showcases the potential of sustainable trade https://www.reneweuropegroup.eu/news/2023-11-21/eu-new-zealand-deal-showcases-the-potential-of-sustainable-trade

European Parliament: Press Release, 22/11/2023: Parliament approves EU-New Zealand free trade agreement https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20231117IPR12221/

EPP EP Group: Newsroom, 22/11/2023: Boost free trade with New Zealand - and other global partners https://www.eppgroup.eu/newsroom/news/boost-free-trade-with-new-zealand-and-other-global-partners

S&D EP Group: Newsroom, 22/11/2023: EU-New Zealand progressive trade agreement: a gold standard for the future https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/newsroom/eu-new-zealand-progressive-trade-agreement-gold-standard-future

ECR EP Group: News, 22/11/2023:E U-NZ deal highlights need to do more on trade https://ecrgroup.eu/article/eu_nz_deal_highlights_need_to_do_more_on_trade

European Commission: Press Release, 27/11/2023: EU completes ratification of state-of-the-art trade agreement with New Zealand https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_6056

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 27/11/2023: EU-New Zealand: Council gives final green light to free trade agreement https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/11/27/eu-new-zealand-council-gives-final-green-light-to-free-trade-agreement/

Government of New Zealand: Press Release, 31/01/2024: Step Closer for European Union Free Trade Agreement https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/step-closer-european-union-free-trade-agreement

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