International Policy
The International Policy Group’s overarching objective is trade liberalisation for the benefit of New Zealand’s agricultural and forestry exports. This includes cutting trade-distorting subsidies and improving market access through reducing both tariffs and non-tariff barriers. Through a more level international playing field, New Zealand’s producers can enjoy maximum returns from their international comparative advantage.
International Policy has specialist expertise in modelling trade economics, understanding New Zealand’s international commitments, and conducting negotiations. We work very closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to input this expertise and ensure a coordinated international effort.
International Policy’s activities include:
- monitoring key countries’ agriculture, forestry, and trade policies;
- providing policy advice on trade issues and on international aspects of domestic policy issues;
- contributing to positive relations with key trading partners;
- developing analysis and strategy toward bilateral, regional, and
multilateral trade negotiations – in particular:
- developing positions for the current Doha Round of negotiations in the World Trade Organisation (WTO),
- contributing to the negotiation and prioritisation of CEP/FTAs,
- identifying barriers to exports in New Zealand’s priority agricultural and forestry export markets, and
- fending off threats to existing market access and negotiating new and improved opportunities;
- advising on the implementation of international agreements, including inputs into WTO dispute settlement cases;
- representing New Zealand positions at international and plurilateral organisations such as the WTO, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), and United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO); and
- advocating trade liberalisation.
International Policy is structured around two teams: Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Environment and World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Market Access.
Contact for Inquiries
Chris Carson
Director
International Policy
MAF Policy
Tel: 64 4 894 0639
Fax: 64 4 894 0742
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