The Government has appointed former Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy as Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, tasking him with pushing New Zealand’s primary sector interests in key markets, particularly India and the Gulf states.

Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said Guy’s “immediate priorities will be to advocate for New Zealand’s primary production interests from the perspective of a practising farmer,” with a “particular focus on India and GCC markets, to leverage the opportunities that trade agreements with these countries would present.”

The Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE) role is an offshore advocacy position supporting the Government’s export agenda, including its goal to double the value of exports in 10 years. It is not a negotiating post, but is used to build relationships, explain New Zealand’s approach to agriculture and primary production, and support market access efforts.

Guy is a dairy farmer and agribusiness figure, currently chairing the Meat Industry Association and serving as independent chair of Apiculture New Zealand. The Government’s statement did not say whether he will remain in those roles while serving as envoy.

He replaces Hamish Marr, who has held the SATE role since 2023. McClay thanked Marr for his work, saying he had been effective in conveying that “New Zealand agriculture is not a threat to others but rather that we can complement our partners to our mutual advantage.”

A targeted push into India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) aligns with long-running efforts to secure deeper access into those markets, where trade agreements have been discussed but remain unrealised. Guy takes up the envoy role on 1 January 2026.