Kia ora tātou,

We’re really happy to have heard from a lot of you this past month, and are looking forward to a chance to kōrero at our next regional hui in Whakatū (Nelson) in just a few weeks.

This is the third of our four regional hui for this year, with great feedback on the first two in Mataatua (Rotorua) and Te Tairawhiti (Gisborne). Our forth with be in Te Tai Tokerau (Northland).

These rohe were prioritised for our regional hui because they represent a high concentration of Māori land, with whānau living close to their tūrangawaewae.

The regional trade hui are free to attend and are hugely popular, with hundreds of whānau attending, dozens more joining online and thousands more following the trade kaupapa online via social media platforms.

We look forward to seeing you on November 24, 2020 at the Rutherford Hotel, 27 Nile St, Nelson.

In the meantime, please enjoy reading the latest updates on trade from around the world. They are a reminder of how lucky we are to be in Aotearoa, but also of the important mahi we have ahead as we adapt to the COVID-19, and post-Brexit trading environment.

Ngā mihi nui,

Chris Karamea Insley
 

The secure exports scheme is a boost to NZ exporters

Some of our whānau might not know about New Zealand’s Secure Exports Scheme (SES), which helps our exporters minimise any customs delays at international borders.

If you become an SES accredited partner, it means you meet the required level of security and New Zealand Customs has to intervene less in your export movements. It also gives you a competitive edge, because it automatically means there is a higher level of trust amongst countries New Zealand has a mutual recognition arrangement with (Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and the United States).

To become an SES partner, you need to meet the minimum standards for supply chain security. So your goods must be securely packaged on their own (not with other goods) and securely transported to their final shipping destination, without interference.

Read more about the scheme and how to become a partner here: https://www.customs.govt.nz/business/export/secure-exports-scheme/

A global and economic trade update from Stats NZ

Statistics New Zealand’s latest release suggests that two-way trade was down 8.5% ($7.2 billion) for the first half of 2020 compared with the same period in 2019.

Exports are down 5% ($2.3 billion), and imports have been even more affected, down 12% ($4.9 billion) for the first half of the year.

You can read more about how different markets have been affected by the pandemic in this global update.

Trade holds up with South Africa despite Covid-19 having a serious economic and social impact on the country

New Zealand’s export figures to South Africa have held up well during South Africa’s lockdown, showing a 7.4% increase in the first half of 2020 against the same period last year.

Unfortunately, the situation on the ground in South Africa is not as positive, and the economic and social consequences of the pandemic are grim. According to one survey, approximately three million South Africans lost their jobs between February and April alone, with women accounting for two thirds of those job losses. Forty seven percent of respondents to that same survey said their household ran out of money to buy food in April, more than double the number prior to the lockdown.

You can read the full report here.