Treaty of Waitangi
As with all of New Zealand’s free trade agreements since 2001, our agreement with the GCC contains a Treaty of Waitangi clause that protects the New Zealand government’s ability to adopt any policy it considers necessary to fulfil its obligations to Māori. This is non-negotiable.
Māori exporters and businesses
The GCC FTA contains a number of outcomes that will increase opportunities and reduce barriers for Māori businesses in the region. The Māori economy will benefit from a outcomes such as the immediate tariff elimination of mānuka honey, as well as rapid tariff elimination in other areas such as the red meat sector and forestry. The benefits to New Zealand from the GCC’s new services commitments will also be felt in the Māori economy, with Māori entrepreneurs able to take advantage of these new opportunities.