Economics / World NZ-India free trade deal lifts tariffs on most exports and adds capped skilled visas The agreement opens India’s market to more New Zealand goods, introduces quotas for key horticulture exports, cuts wine and honey tariffs, and sets annual limits for skilled and working holiday visas.
Economics / World India–New Zealand trade deal announced, tariffs to drop on more than half of exports Government says the FTA is concluded after nine months of talks; key details, including dairy access and start date, still to come.
Economics / World India trade deal cuts tariffs on 95% of exports, adds new skilled visa pathway Sheep meat, wool and most wood go duty-free immediately; kiwifruit and apples secure quotas; wine and mānuka honey tariffs fall over time; 1,667 three‑year skilled visas a year tied to the agreement.
Emergency / Economics Boxing Day and 2 January firefighter strikes set; FENZ says latest hour saw 14 incidents managed by contingencies The service credits volunteers and plans with covering today’s stoppage, as pay talks move to ERA facilitation in late January.
Government / Economics Auckland quarry gets 100-year expansion under Fast-track, approved in 66 days Expert panel signs off on Kings Quarry plan to extract 500,000 tonnes a year; ministers pitch local supply, lower transport costs, and jobs.
Government / Economics Fast-track panel clears Waihi North mine expansion to 2043, the first major mining consent under new process Ministers say the OceanaGold project will extend operations beyond 2030, add billions in exports and support hundreds of jobs, after a 112‑day approval.
Government / Economics Government to open $200m Gas Security Fund on 12 January 2026, expanding focus to storage and existing fields The fund seeks proposals to quickly lift supply and build storage, with an expert advisory panel to guide ministers on project selection.
Government / Economics Area school principals secure pay rises and new $6,000 NCEA allowance The renewed collective lifts several payments, adds a workload allowance for NCEA changes, and covers more than 140 principals.
Government / Economics Five AI bids shortlisted for national research platform; $70m earmarked, board named The Government will fund planning now and pick a single platform in 2026, while a new Institute for Advanced Technology board gets the system up and running.
Government / Economics Nathan Guy named agricultural trade envoy, with mandate to target India and Gulf markets Former Primary Industries Minister to take up the SATE role on 1 January 2026 as the Government chases a plan to double exports in a decade.
Economics / Government Economy expands 1.1% in September quarter across 14 of 16 sectors; per capita GDP rises Stats NZ reports broad-based quarterly growth as the Government points to stronger job prospects and forecasts of faster expansion next year.
Economics / New Zealand GDP up 1.1% in September quarter; output over the year down 0.5% Fourteen of 16 industries grew, led by business services and manufacturing, while exports and investment lifted spending measures.
