Te Taumata November Pānui

Kia ora koutou,

A new month, and a new government here in Aotearoa. We are also watching the election in the USA very closely to see how this week’s outcome will impact the rest of the world.

These changes, as well as the global issues we face, such as climate change, Brexit and COVID-19, all have the potential to have a serious impact on New Zealand’s export economy, and in turn the Māori economy and our whānau.

It’s imperative that the interests of Māori and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi are incorporated in negotiations, so we are really happy to see XYZ confirmed number of Māori MPs in our new parliament.

The Māori economy has an asset base estimated to be worth around $50 billion, so it’s really important that we are involved in trade discussions and understand what is going on.

We look forward to working with the new government ministers on a transformational agenda to achieve greater outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders from an economic, environmental, cultural, and social point of view.

We are also looking forward to some constructive discussions and informative sessions with MPs, trade negotiators and international business experts, and local representatives at our upcoming Whakatū hui in Nelson. Find out more about the programme and how to register below.

Ngā mihi nunui,

Chris Karamea Insley

Programme for our free Whakatū Hui on November 24

Registrations are humming along for our next regional hui in Nelson on November 24.

It’s a full-day event which includes representatives from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand as well as a number of MPs, the British High Commissioner and regional mayors.

We’re keeping entry to the hui free of charge, because we don’t want cost to be a barrier to coming along. With one in four jobs in Aotearoa derived from trade, we need to make sure Māori are part of the negotiations and discussions that are happening at an international level.

Feedback from our two previous hui in Rotorua and Gisborne was extremely positive, with guests walking away feeling empowered by the discussions they had and the panels they attended.

The Whakatū hui takes place on Tuesday, November 24 at the Rutherford Hotel, 27 Nile Street, Nelson. It is free to attend, and will also be live streamed on Facebook facebook.com/tetaumatanews.

See the full programme and register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/whakatu-regional-hui-on-trade-tickets-125261318977?fbclid=IwAR2y8Q_9Gv1dJl4MpghtLdUscOkaMz727MZXX1vr2mu5JBEyBluRO9efI1E

Pacific trade and development agreement (PACER Plus) a reality

Eight countries have now ratified PACER Plus, a Pacific regional trade and development agreement that represents New Zealand’s relationship with the Pacific.

Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and New Zealand have now signed the agreement, with Nauru, Tuvalu and Vanuatu to come.

Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker says PACER Plus provides greater certainty for New Zealand businesses trading with the Pacific.

“PACER Plus will make trade easier for signatories to the agreement, which will grow jobs, boost sustainable economic growth and contribute to a safer and more prosperous Pacific,” David Parker said.

“It will also provide greater certainty for New Zealand businesses trading with the Pacific.”

NZ’s Maritime Border Order

Last month a port worker tested positive for COVID-19, and we saw the ripple on effects in the community. It was with these sorts of scenarios in mind that the government set out its Maritime Border Order.

Under the Order, foreign ships are currently banned from arriving in New Zealand, except fishing and cargo ships, and any vessels that have been granted permission on humanitarian grounds or another compelling reason.

All crew arriving at the port must be tested for COVID-19 and must have isolated aboard their ship for at least 14 days before coming ashore.

Climate change and Germany’s softwood oversupply

Germany is known as a land of forests, but with climate change triggering more storms and dry weather the country’s predominantly softwood trees are suffering.

Damage over the past two to three years has resulted in an estimated 180 million cubic metres of damaged wood that needs to be removed, and if possible, sold.

This has led to record harvests, a domestic oversupply of softwood, and booming log exports.

This trend should reverse in the coming years as hardwood reforestation is prioritised, creating opportunities for other softwood producers in Germany and other markets.