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.
Government / World Collins to visit Tokyo for defence and security talks with Japanese ministers The Defence Minister departs tomorrow for meetings on regional security, returning 20 December.
Government / World NZ to spend $13.3m upgrading security at 11 Pacific airports New x-ray scanners and training will be rolled out over five years under a CAA-led programme across 11 Pacific countries.
World / Government US designates illicit fentanyl and key precursors as weapons of mass destruction The order moves fentanyl into the United States’ WMD framework, directing prosecutors, diplomats and the military to treat cartel supply chains as a national security threat.
Economics / World Trump orders crackdown on proxy advisors, targeting ESG and DEI in corporate voting The White House directs the SEC, FTC and Labor Department to tighten oversight of ISS and Glass Lewis, with a focus on curbing non‑financial factors in shareholder decisions.
World / Government White House moves to override state AI rules with lawsuits, funding pressure and new federal standards Executive order directs Justice Department to challenge state laws, ties broadband money to compliance, and tasks FCC and FTC with pre-emptive national rules.
Economics / World China Eastern to link Shanghai and Buenos Aires via Auckland; Mayor Brown on inaugural flight The “Southern Link” service, operated by Boeing 777-300ERs as MU745/746, puts Auckland between two major markets and could restore a direct Buenos Aires connection for the first time since 2020.
Government / World Wellington to host global Antarctic assembly as climate and geopolitics sharpen focus The two-day meeting on 8–9 December, chaired by National MP Andrew Bayly, will gather MPs and experts to back the Antarctic Treaty and build a network of advocates.
Government / World Government puts $15m into NATO-US programme to speed weapons deliveries to Ukraine Funding will flow through NATO’s Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List, with purchases limited to items that comply with New Zealand’s obligations and policies; Australia has also pledged support.
Government / World Peters names seven new heads of mission, appoints Victoria Hallum as UN representative The appointments span North America, Europe, Africa and the Pacific, with Tuvalu to be covered from Wellington.
