Monday, 25 January 2016 10:51

TPP honours Treaty: Minister

Written by 
Trade Minister Todd McClay. Trade Minister Todd McClay.

Nothing in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) will prevent the Crown from meetings its obligations to Maori, says Trade Minister Todd McClay.

McClay released a new TPP factsheet outlining how TPP specifically recognises the Treaty of Waitangi, as well as other areas of significance for Māori including opportunities for Māori exporters.

"There is a lot of misinformation out there about TPP," McClay says.

"As with all of New Zealand's free trade agreements since 2001, TPP includes a specific provision preserving the pre-eminence of the Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand.

"The value of the Māori asset base is now over NZ$40 billion, with significant ownership in key export sectors such as red meat, dairy, kiwifruit, forestry, and seafood.

"Maori therefore stand to benefit from the tariff savings under TPP on current exports across these sectors, which are estimated to be more than $200 million a year once the tariff commitments are fully phased in.

"New Zealand's approach in its free trade agreements reflects the constitutional significance of the Treaty of Waitangi to New Zealand.

"The Treaty of Waitangi exception is in addition to the fact that the obligations in TPP have been designed so as not to impair the ability of governments to make legitimate public policy, including in health, education, and protecting the environment.

"Being part of TPP – which covers 36 per cent of global GDP, and takes 40% of our exports – is strongly in New Zealand's national interest."

More like this

Changing global trade ties

OPINION: I recently returned from a market visit overseas, including the United Kingdom and Europe. These are critical, historically important and increasingly high value markets for our red meat exports.

Editorial: KiwiSaver to the rescue?

OPINION: Farmers are rightly urging the Government to relax the rules around KiwiSaver and allow young farmers to use their savings towards purchasing either a house, cows or a farm.

Featured

Editorial: Time for common sense

OPINION: The case of four Canterbury high country stations facing costly and complex consent hearing processes highlights the dilemma facing the farming sector as the country transitions into a replacement for the Resource Management Act (RMA).

National

Machinery & Products

Calf feeding boost

Advantage Plastics says it is revolutionising calf meal storage and handling, making farm life easier, safer, and more efficient this…

JD's precision essentials

Farmers across New Zealand are renowned for their productivity and efficiency, always wanting to do more with less, while getting…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Are they serious?

OPINION: The Greens aren’t serious people when it comes to the economy, so let’s not spend too much on their…

A hurry up!

OPINION: PM Chris Luxon is getting pinged lately for rolling out the old 'we're still a new government' line when…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter