[Sitting date: 03 December 2014. Volume:702;Page:6. Text is subject to correction.]

6. MARK MITCHELL (National—Rodney) to the Minister of Trade : What progress has the Government made in opening up overseas markets for New Zealand exporters?

Hon TIM GROSER (Minister of Trade): Monday marked the first anniversary of the coming into force of the New Zealand - Chinese Taipei economic cooperation agreement and I am very pleased to say to the House that our exports in the 9 months—we do not have the 12 month figures; we do not have the last quarter—have increased by 20 percent. With reference to the completely misleading comments in the previous question, that can be compared with a total increase in New Zealand exports to September 2014 of 8.6 percent—

Grant Robertson : As a percentage of GDP, Tim?

Hon TIM GROSER : Not, Mr Robertson, flat-lining at all.

Grant Robertson : I seek leave of the House to table figures compiled by the Parliamentary Library that show a flat-lining of exports as a percentage of GDP. [Interruption]

Mr SPEAKER : Order! On the basis that it may not be available and it may be informative I will put the leave and the House will determine. Leave is sought to table that particular research from the Parliamentary Library. Is there any objection? There is none. It can be tabled. Document, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.

Mark Mitchell : Who benefits the most from this agreement?

Hon TIM GROSER : Well, first of all, there are only 9 months’ data but there have been a number of companies and a number of New Zealanders who have benefited. There have been some spectacular increases in our exports. Our apple export increases have been 210 percent and one particular Hawke’s Bay company, which produces Rockit apples—little tiny apples in a very interesting box—has had a 700 percent increase in that period. Dairy exports have increased by nearly 40 percent. But it is not just one-way traffic. Bicycle imports from Taiwan have increased by 27 percent. You would have thought that that would have pleased even the Green Party, but before the Green Party will support any trade agreement it will be a cold day in hell.

Mark Mitchell : What other trade agreements is the Government pursuing to help Kiwi exporters?

Hon TIM GROSER : We are making very good progress. It has been a very difficult negotiation, but, as members will be aware, we have finally crossed the line politically with Korea. We have now got a series of steps to get that ratified and put in place. This will be a big deal for New

ENDS

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