McClay To Champion NZ's Trade Interests At OECD And In Brussels
Minister for Trade and Investment
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will travel to Europe this weekend to advance New Zealand's trade and investment interests
Minister McClay will visit Switzerland, Paris and Brussels for high level ministerial and business meetings.
In Switzerland he will attend the first in person meeting of a new pro-trade group with ministers from UAE, Singapore and Switzerland where he will focus on removing trade barriers and the promotion of paperless trade.
In Paris he will attend the annual OECD Trade Ministers, a CPTPP ministers discussion, ACCTs Ministers meeting, and a WTO Mini Ministerial meeting. He will also hold discussions with ministers from Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, USA.
He will also undertake a bilateral French programme and meet the French Minister responsible for Trade.
In Brussels Mr McClay will hold talks with EU Commissioner for Trade, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, and EU Vice President responsible for sustainability. He will also speak at an event to mark the first year of the NZ EU FTA.
'One in four Kiwi jobs depend on Trade, and strong trade relationships mean more opportunities for New Zealander.
The Government's is committed to the ambitious goal of doubling exports by value in the next ten years to deliver higher paying jobs for all New Zealanders,' Mr McClay says.
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Generations grew up with these challenges, with little hope of unlocking their community's potential. Joseph, the Chairman of the Fugumi Cocoa Business Group, recalls those difficult times: 'We wanted to start a business but had less opportunity to sell our produce,' which was of low volume and quality. Referring to challenge they face due to lack of income, he adds, 'finding school fees was difficult [for us], and even [nutritious, protein-rich] food was hard to afford.' His words highlight the struggle in Maka, a place where promising crops, such as cocoa and vanilla, were lost due to low productivity, and infestation. Even if there were the quality products, they were suffered from the absence of accessible markets. For many, this isolation was equal to missed opportunities for economic progress. For Damia, the spouse of Joseph, life had been equally challenging. Interrupted by illness during her early schooling: 'I became very sick and had to leave school in Grade 5', because they had not enough money for treatment. She experienced firsthand the long-term impact of an education cut short. Now, every morning as she feeds their fish at the family ponds, she reminds her children of the importance of seizing every opportunity: 'I tell my children, 'You must do well to have a good future.'' Her determined voice, tempered by past hardships, fuels the hope that her children will break free of the limitations that once defined her lives. A Transformative Partnership Change began with the arrival of the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, an initiative aimed at reviving key agricultural value chains such as cocoa, fisheries, and vanilla. Funded by the European Union and implemented by FAO, ILO, ITU, UNCDF, and UNDP, the Programme is designed to improve these sectors by addressing gaps from production to market. The Programme provided vital technical training, agricultural inputs, and cocoa value chain support that had long been unaffordable or inaccessible to the villagers. Maka's farmers gained access to pest-tolerant seedlings, polybags, shed cloth, essential farming tools, nursery materials, and fermentary kits, alongside training in cocoa budding, block management, harvesting, post-harvesting as well as business development and management. Through this support, 40 farmers from the community were enabled to plant 4,033 pest-tolerant cloned cocoa seedlings, which transformed their rundown block fields into productive plots. These resources were more than just physical tools, they symbolized a renewed hope. Reflecting on support received, Joseph recalls, 'When I saw these things, I was very happy.' Building on the Programme's agricultural initiatives in cocoa, support was also extended to aquaculture within the community. 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Cultivating A Brighter Future In Maka: A Story Of Resilience And Revitalization In West Sepik, Papua New Guinea
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Generations grew up with these challenges, with little hope of unlocking their community's potential. Joseph, the Chairman of the Fugumi Cocoa Business Group, recalls those difficult times: 'We wanted to start a business but had less opportunity to sell our produce,' which was of low volume and quality. Referring to challenge they face due to lack of income, he adds, 'finding school fees was difficult [for us], and even [nutritious, protein-rich] food was hard to afford.' His words highlight the struggle in Maka, a place where promising crops, such as cocoa and vanilla, were lost due to low productivity, and infestation. Even if there were the quality products, they were suffered from the absence of accessible markets. For many, this isolation was equal to missed opportunities for economic progress. For Damia, the spouse of Joseph, life had been equally challenging. Interrupted by illness during her early schooling: 'I became very sick and had to leave school in Grade 5', because they had not enough money for treatment. She experienced firsthand the long-term impact of an education cut short. Now, every morning as she feeds their fish at the family ponds, she reminds her children of the importance of seizing every opportunity: 'I tell my children, 'You must do well to have a good future.'' Her determined voice, tempered by past hardships, fuels the hope that her children will break free of the limitations that once defined her lives. A Transformative Partnership Change began with the arrival of the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, an initiative aimed at reviving key agricultural value chains such as cocoa, fisheries, and vanilla. Funded by the European Union and implemented by FAO, ILO, ITU, UNCDF, and UNDP, the Programme is designed to improve these sectors by addressing gaps from production to market. The Programme provided vital technical training, agricultural inputs, and cocoa value chain support that had long been unaffordable or inaccessible to the villagers. Maka's farmers gained access to pest-tolerant seedlings, polybags, shed cloth, essential farming tools, nursery materials, and fermentary kits, alongside training in cocoa budding, block management, harvesting, post-harvesting as well as business development and management. Through this support, 40 farmers from the community were enabled to plant 4,033 pest-tolerant cloned cocoa seedlings, which transformed their rundown block fields into productive plots. These resources were more than just physical tools, they symbolized a renewed hope. Reflecting on support received, Joseph recalls, 'When I saw these things, I was very happy.' Building on the Programme's agricultural initiatives in cocoa, support was also extended to aquaculture within the community. In June 2024, the Programme supported Joseph and Damia to stock 400 fingerlings in their only fishpond, initiating aquaculture freshwater fish farming. Within 6–7 months, the fish matured quickly, leading to a high fingerling production rate, allowing the family to expand their fishpond from one to three, and to distribute 50–100 fingerlings to cluster groups and individuals in surrounding area. This expansion, driven by Programme intervention, is strengthening fish farming in Maka, increasing profitability and nutrition for involved households. This blend of expertise and resources empowered Maka's farmers to adopt sustainable, climate-smart practices, setting them on a path toward long-term prosperity. Revitalizing Production and Market Access One of the Programme's greatest achievements was restoring market access for Maka's agricultural produce. Previously, isolation and lack of reliable trading point meant that even the best harvests were left to perish in the fields with no buyer. With the EU-STREIT PNG support, a Cocoa Trade and Depot Facility was constructed and established in Vanimo, the provincial capital, serving as a robust outlet for local produce. Trucks now make regular trips from Vanimo to Maka, transporting much-needed supplies and returning with cocoa beans. The arrival of these trucks has brought great relief and confidence to the villagers. Damia smiles with gratitude: 'Trucks finally reach our village. They help us sell cocoa, and I am happy.' This improved cocoa market infrastructure has not only revitalized the local economy but also inspired farmers to venture in better pot-harvest processing. Supported by the Programme, they constructed a cocoa fermentary in Maka, so that beans can be processed on-site and fetch higher market prices. Empowering Families Through Self-Reliance Beyond the tangible economic benefits, the Programme's impact is deeply personal. For Damia and Joseph, the changes go hand in hand with a renewed sense of independence. Every day, Damia tends to their fishponds with unwavering commitment, a task that often requires her to wake before dawn and go into the bush to secure extra nourishment for the fish. 'No one helps me, only my husband and I,' she says, capturing the spirit of self-reliance that now defines their daily life. This newfound independence plays a crucial role in shaping their future. Damia is determined to ensure her children, who attend schools in both Maka and Vanimo, have educational opportunities she never had. Meanwhile, Joseph dreams of a future where his children can break free of the legacy of missed opportunities. 'I dream of my children achieving their goals,' he confesses. 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While the Programme rehabilitated a cocoa nursery to support local farmers in Maka to revitalize their cocoa blocks, long-term success depends on continued government ownership and investment. Recognizing this, the Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea has now stepped in to oversee and support the nursery, ensuring its continued operation and benefit to the community. In parallel, the Cocoa Tarde and Depot Facility is handed over to be run by West Sepik Investment Limited, the business arm of the Provincial Government. The This transition reflects the Programme's core objective which is empowering institutions to take ownership so that these advancements endure beyond Programme interventions, and to foster a sustainable cocoa business in for Maka. A Flagship under the EU's Global Gateway EU-STREIT PNG contributes to the EU's Global Gateway Strategy by driving rural transformation through climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable infrastructure, and digital innovation. As the first articulation of the Strategy in Papua New Guinea, the Programme enhances market access for remote farmers by improving transport links, expanding digital tools for real-time farming advice and weather alerts, and promoting clean energy use. These 'smart, clean, and secure' solutions reduce transaction costs, boost productivity, and strengthen food security and incomes, delivering tangible impact in line with the EU's global development vision. About the EU-STREIT PNG Programme The EU-STREIT PNG Programme, is the European Union's largest grant-funded initiative in the country being implemented as a United Nations Joint Programme by FAO, ILO, ITU, UNCDF and UNDP. It focuses on boosting sustainable and inclusive economic development in rural areas. This is achieved by FAO's support in enhancing economic returns and opportunities within cocoa, vanilla, and fisheries value chains. 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Sweeping RMA changes for housing, freshwater, infrastructure rules proposed
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(Source: ADVERTISEMENT "The changes we're now proposing to national direction under the existing RMA give effect to a range of coalition commitments, can be done quickly and relatively easily, and will help unclog the growth arteries of the economy," Bishop said. "Next year we'll replace the RMA with new legislation premised on property rights. Our new system will provide a framework that makes it easier to plan and deliver infrastructure and energy projects, as well a protecting the environment." Freshwater The changes would "rebalance Te Mana o te Wai to better reflect the interests of all water users", with councils able to "tailor" monitoring and management to local conditions. Councils would be directed to consider how they could help ensure stable domestic food supply, including providing for crop rotation in regional plans. Crop rotation within catchments could be allowed without a consent. Water storage rules would change aiming to ensure water flows during dry periods, protect against climate-change-caused drought, and reduce the need for extraction from natural rivers and lakes. Wetland regulations would change aiming to protect water filtration, flood control, and habitat for diverse species. ADVERTISEMENT The definition of "wetland" would be amended, now excluding unintentionally created "induced" wetlands, and allowing farming activities like irrigation, on-farm water storage and fencing considered "unlikely" to have an adverse effect, while constructed wetlands would have a new objective, standards, and consent pathway. Councils would no longer need to map wetlands by 2030, but Source Water Risk Management areas would now need to be mapped "to help safeguard drinking water sources from contamination". The government is also proposing to "simplify" requirements for fish passages to reduce the administrative burden "while still providing appropriate protection". Changes to rules for synthetic fertiliser are also proposed. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay. (Source: Primary sector Highly productive land changes would extend the timeframes to 2027/28, see the removal of the "Land Use Capability 3" category and trial the use of "special agricultural areas". ADVERTISEMENT Grazed beef cattle and deer in low intensity farms would no longer need to be kept out of wetlands. In forestry, councils would lose the ability to set harder controls, slash would need to be planned for and — above a certain size — removed, and low-intensity harvesting will be permitted by default if "any relevant forest planning requirement is complied with". Restrictions on mines and quarries in wetlands would be loosened. Aquaculture changes aim to streamline consenting for activities and research, and allow small structures in coastal marine areas with no consent. Infrastructure and development Granny flats of up to 70sqm, and papakāinga of up to 10 homes would be allowed without a consent on specific land zones. Papakāinga would also allow commercial activities of up to 100sqm, conservation activity, accommodation for up to eight guests, along with education, health, sports, marae, urupā and māra kai facilities. Medium papakāinga of up to 30 homes would be considered a "restricted discretionary" activity, with those of more than 30 units becoming "discretionary" activities. ADVERTISEMENT Energy changes include new policies on supporting the needs of the electricity network and management of environmental interests, and another new policy on recognising and providing for Māori interests in electricity transmission, and other changes. These would allow more routine work on electricity networks, establish a National Grid Yard and Subdivision Corridor, and scrap consenting for distribution and EV charging infrastructure. A new policy for natural hazards — covering flooding, landslips, coastal erosion, coastal inundation, active faults, liquefaction and tsunami — would cover all environments and zones including coastal environments, directing councils to take a risk-based approach and assess risk based on "likelihood and consequence". A definition of "significant risk" using a risk matrix would be provided, with councils directed to also use the best available information when making decisions. In telecommunications, new poles would be allowed by default in more areas, with restrictions in the road reserve also removed. Renewable energy generation, temporary facilities and connection lines to heritage buildings for telecommunications would no longer need consenting.
